Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits Improves HDL Function

Foods rich in extra virgin olive oil benefits were good for the cardioprotective high-density lipoprotein (HDL, good cholesterol) compared to other foods. And foods rich in olive oil usually found in the Mediterranean diet, and cooking in the hotel or restaurant renowned.

High levels of Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL, the bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (a type of blood fat) associated with an increased risk of heart disease and blood vessels. HDL cholesterol thought to lead to a lower risk, because Lipoprotein helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits

This study proves that HDL does not work well in people at high risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. According to scientists, the functional ability of HDL considered important as quantity. At the same time, small-scale trials have shown that eating foods rich in antioxidants such as extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes and fruit, improve the function of HDL in humans.

The study included 296 people, average age 66 years, a high risk of cardiovascular disease who participated in PREDIMED (Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea). Their blood samples taken at the beginning and end of the study. Participants were randomly assign to choose one of three diets for a year. The choice of food it is:

1. Traditional Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil (about 4 tablespoons) per day.
2. Traditional Mediterranean diet enriched with extra beans (about a handful) every day.
3. Or choose a healthy diet that reduces the uncontrolled consumption of red meat, processed foods, high fat dairy products and sweets. In addition to emphasizing the fruit consumption of vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, the diet eat fish and poultry in moderate doses.

The study found that only a controlled diet that reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels. None of the foods that can increase HDL levels significantly. Repair function of HDL is much greater among those who consume extra virgin olive oil. Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil will enhance HDL functionality, including:

1. Cholesterol transport, the process by which HDL removes cholesterol from plaque in arteries and transports it to the liver. Where HDL used to produce hormonal compound or eliminated from the body.
2. Antioxidant protection, the ability of HDL to LDL against oxidation, to trigger the development of plaque in the arteries.
3. Vasodilator capacity, which relaxes blood vessels open and blood will keep flowing.

Scientists say, the Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, have a negative impact on the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL. A decrease in the ability of anti-inflammatory HDL kardiovaskular.Hal associated with the disease is evidenced in the Mediterranean diet participants who did not experience a decrease in HDL function. Following a Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil benefits to protect the health of the heart, including making 'good cholesterol' work in complex ways.

Reference

• Mediterranean diet with virgin olive oil may boost ‘good’ cholesterol, 13 February 2017, by American Heart Association.
• Mediterranean Diet Improves High-Density Lipoprotein Function in High-Cardiovascular-Risk IndividualsClinical Perspective. Circulation, 2017; 135 (7): 633 DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.023712