Olive Oil + Mediterranean Diet Fight Heart Disease by Changing How Genes Function

A traditional Mediterranean diet with liberal amounts of virgin olive oil rich in polyphenols lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease because these foods change how genes associated with atherosclerosis function, according to a new research report published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal.

Scientists worked with three groups of healthy volunteers. The first group consumed a traditional Mediterranean diet with virgin olive oil rich in polyphenols. The second group consumed a traditional Mediterranean diet with an olive oil low in polyphenols. The third group followed their habitual diet. After three months, the first group had a down-regulation in the expression of atherosclerosis-related genes in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additionally, the olive oil polyphenols made a significant impact on the expression of genetic changes influencing coronary heart disease.

Results also showed that the consumption of virgin olive oil in conjunction with a Mediterranean diet can positively impact lipid and DNA oxidation, insulin resistance, inflammation, carcinogenesis, and tumor suppression.

Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

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