Olive Oil Cuts Stroke Risk?

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. More common in women, strokes affect close to 800,000 Americans each year killing nearly 150,000. While strokes typically occur in people over the age of 65, they can occur at any age. Strokes are categorized as either bleeding into the brain or a blockage in blood supply, known as an ischemic stroke. The latter are overwhelmingly more common, compromising about 87 percent of all stroke events.

These days we all have the opportunity to read about lifestyle factors and how they can influence our risk for various health issues from diabetes to cancer to heart disease. But aside the increased risk of stroke from atrial fibrillation that everyone seems to know about since the arrival of a new drug on the market, the idea that lifestyle choices can help reduce a person's risk for stroke is getting precious little attention.

One nutritional approach gaining a lot of attention because of its important role in protecting the heart -- as well as reducing the risk for diabetes and various forms of cancer -- is the so-called Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits and vegetables while low in sodium. It is also enriched with olive oil, high in antioxidants as well as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Adherence to this diet has been associated not only with a substantial risk reduction for heart attack but a reduced risk for dying from the experience if it does occur. But what is not so widely known is the fact that the Mediterranean diet is also associated with a reduced risk of stroke. And as it turns out, perhaps the most important component of the diet -- at least as it relates to stroke risk -- is the high consumption of olive oil.

In a recent article appearing in the journal Neurology, French researchers published a report detailing their study of over 7,000 adult participants. The study compared risk for developing a stroke compared to consumption of olive oil. The results were dramatic. There were 148 strokes in the study group during the five-year study and the risk of stroke was reduced by an astounding 41 percent in those consuming the most olive oil compared with those consuming the least.

Usually authors of such research papers downplay the implications of their results, but these authors felt they were on firm ground when they concluded, "Showing a strong association between intensive olive oil use and lower stroke incidence, our study suggests a novel approach of dietary recommendations to prevent stroke occurrence in elderly populations."

Yes, a novel approach indeed. That is, making a dietary recommendation as opposed to simply authoring yet another report advocating the use of yet another drug. We are seeing revolutionary changes in the works appearing in our most well-respected journals, finally giving dietary and lifestyle choices their share of the spotlight as they relate to our health and longevity.

 

 

 

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Comments

[bbtri]

07:35 PM on 08/16/2011

Popeye was on to something.

[cccid]

11:51 AM on 08/16/2011

AVACADO OIL HAS EVEN BETTER NUTRITIONAL VALUE THAN OLIVE OIL! Thank goodness for good oils!

[antaeus]

11:41 AM on 08/16/2011

For elderly singles who don't do a lot of cooking, is it advisable to take olive oil by the spoonful daily?

[David Perlmutter, M.D.]

10:29 AM on 08/17/2011

I do in fact recommend 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil for individuals who do not use it in cooking.

[garystartswithg]

02:07 PM on 08/17/2011

i use it as a condiment, in place of butter with veggies, popcorn, bread, swirled into gazpachos and soups. and drizzled on salads. i find spanish varieties have a better flavor. i am an accidental Mediterranean diet follower -- i grew up with it.
Its really easy to make your own salad dressing -- my "house" dressing is a generous tablespoon of herbes de provence, cracked white pepper, 1/4 cup dijon, 1 cup white wine vinegar, 2 cups evoo. Put that on a salad and you don't have to pay for the plane ticket to Nice. If your diet permits a poached egg and croutons on top.