Topical virgin olive oil may protect against melanoma. Issue: August, 2000 London -- Virgin olive oil applied topically after sunbathing may protect against melanoma, New Scientist reported. Researchers at Kobe University School of Medicine in Japan discovered that the oil slowed tumor growth in mice. When the mice did develop tumors, they were smaller and less numerous and there was less DNA damage to their skin cells. "The researchers are quick to point out that olive oil isn't a sunscreen. But they claim that rubbing on olive oil after sunbathing could help protect skin from ultraviolet damage," according to the magazine article. The team led by Masamitsu Ichihashi, M.D., tested the oil on hairless mice undergoing three weekly sunlamp sessions. Five minutes after the exposure, they covered the mice with regular olive oil, virgin olive oil (which is of better quality), or nothing. Eighteen weeks after the first sunlamp treatment, mice not given any oil treatment and those covered with regular olive oil started to develop tumors. The virgin olive oil group took six weeks longer to show any symptoms of cancer. Olive oil has been cultivated and consumed in the Mediterranean countries for thousands of years. It had become an essential ingredient in Italian, Spanish, and Greek recipes, not only for its exquisite flavor but also for its health benefits. The oil extracted from the juices of ground and pressed olives has been used to heal wounds for ages. It has also been used to moisturize skin and strengthen fingernails. And after extensive research on its therapeutic effects, olive oil has been determined to promote digestion, stimulate metabolism, and lower cholesterol levels. The monounsaturated fatty acids present in olive oil helps reduce bad cholesterol, and therefore lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. These fats and the vegetable mucilage in the oil also help in digestion and relieves stomach disorders, including flatulence, heartburn, and constipation. Olive oil is also rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that combats the free radicals that damage body cells and tissues. Here are some ways to use olive oil as a natural remedy: To help lower cholesterol levels: Use olive oil instead of butter or vegetable oil in preparing salads, sandwiches, and foods that require cooking oil. To relieve upset stomach and stimulate digestion: Drink 1 tbsp. of olive oil before eating. To relieve constipation: Drink a mixture of 1 tsp. of olive oil and the juice of 1 lemon and drink before breakfast. To soothe dry skin: Apply to affected areas daily. |
Soap made of olive oil. From Crete the island of Greece. |
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