Olive oil instead of aspirin?
Last Updated Aug 2007
A recent article in Nature (Aug. 31, 2005,) has indicated that extra-virgin olive
oil has anti-inflammatory properties. More importantly it seems to work as other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) do by inhibiting the COX enzymes.
The active ingredient appears to be a compound known as oleocanthal (Greek for
olive stinging aldehyde) because it provides a peppery taste at the back of the
mouth. That's the good news. The bad news is it takes about 3 tablespoons to
provide the amount of COX inhibition as 10 per cent of a standard dose of
ibuprofen. Nonetheless, this is why extra-virgin oil is a key component of the
anti-inflammatory Zone Diet. How can you tell if your olive oil has these anti-
inflammatory properties? Take a teaspoon of olive oil and put it in your mouth.
It should have a very rich butter-like taste. Then flip it to the back of your
mouth where you get a strong pepper-like taste. Unfortunately, most of the good
olive oil that has these properties never leaves Italy. That is unless you have
friends, as I do, who are able to identify select organic olive oil producers that
make such an oil. Sold by Zone Labs, it enables you to get great taste with
equally great anti-inflammatory benefits.