Extra-virgin olive oil for potential prevention of Alzheimer disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential of extra-virgin olive oil, rich in antioxidants, in mitigating vascular disease and preventing late-onset Alzheimer disease.
Results Summary
The study found that the Mediterranean diet, particularly extra-virgin olive oil, is associated with lower prevalence of vascular disease, cognitive decline, and other age-related conditions, supported by epidemiological data and experimental studies.
Population
Various populations including Italian-American inhabitants of Roseto, Crete residents, and participants in the French Three-City Study.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Varies by study (e.g., 10-year follow-up in the French Three-City Study)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
traditional Italian diet | decrease | mortality rates from myocardial infarction | Italian-American inhabitants of Roseto (Pennsylvania, USA) | half | maintained half the mortality rates | #1 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | overall mortality rates and coronary heart disease fatalities | Crete | lowest | maintained the lowest overall mortality rates and coronary heart disease fatalities | #2 |
higher consumption of olive oil | decrease | risk of death | participants in the French Three-City Study | lower | was associated with lower risk | #3 |
higher consumption of olive oil | decrease | cognitive decline | participants in the French Three-City Study | - | protection from | #4 |
higher consumption of olive oil | decrease | stroke | participants in the French Three-City Study | - | protection from | #5 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | vascular disease | - | lower | is associated with lower prevalence | #6 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | obesity | - | lower | is associated with lower prevalence | #7 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | arthritis | - | lower | is associated with lower prevalence | #8 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | cancer | - | lower | is associated with lower prevalence | #9 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | age-associated cognitive decline | - | lower | is associated with lower prevalence | #10 |
extra-virgin olive oil | increase | experimental animal models of Alzheimer disease | experimental animal models | positive | has had positive effects on | #11 |
extra-virgin olive oil | decrease | effects of adverse vascular factors | - | - | is a promising tool for mitigating the effects | #12 |
extra-virgin olive oil | decrease | late-onset Alzheimer disease | - | - | may be utilized for potential prevention | #13 |
Observational epidemiological studies provide valuable information regarding naturally occurring protective factors observed in populations with very low prevalences of vascular disease. Between 1935 and 1965, the Italian-American inhabitants of Roseto (Pennsylvania, USA) observed a traditional Italian diet and maintained half the mortality rates from myocardial infarction compared with neighboring cities. In the Seven Countries Study, during 40years (1960-2000) Crete maintained the lowest overall mortality rates and coronary heart disease fatalities, which was attributed to strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet. In the French Three-City Study, a ten-year follow-up (2000-2010) showed that higher consumption of olive oil was associated with lower risk of death, as well as protection from cognitive decline and stroke. A large number of population-based studies and intervention trials have demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower prevalence of vascular disease, obesity, arthritis, cancer, and age-associated cognitive decline. Many of these effects are the result of consumption of fruits, seeds, legumes and vegetables but olive oil is the chief dietary fat in Mediterranean countries and the main source of monounsaturated fatty acids, as well as an important source of beneficial polyphenols and other antioxidants. Considering the critical role of vascular factors in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer disease it seems appropriate to focus on disease modification through proven dietary therapy. The authors base their hypothesis on meta-analyses of epidemiological data, numerous experimental studies, and a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of action of extra-virgin olive oil and its components in the prevention of vascular disease. In addition, extra-virgin olive oil has had positive effects on experimental animal models of Alzheimer disease. We therefore propose that extra-virgin olive oil is a promising tool for mitigating the effects of adverse vascular factors and may be utilized for potential prevention of late-onset Alzheimer disease.