Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Anti-Cancer?

A new Study indicates that adding extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) to your diet may be just what the doctor should order. Long known for its heart-healthy benefits, EVOO may even have cancer killing properties thanks to an antioxidant compound it contains call oleocanthal. Though scientists have known that oleocanthal killed some cancer cells without harming the good cells, no one really understood how it happened - until now. It turns out that oleocanthal "targets" cancer cells by rupturing and then killing off the lysosomes of cancer cells (where the cells store waste) within 30 minutes to an hour. However, noncarcerous cells are spared from such actions, suggesting that oleocanthal can eventually be used medicinally to prevent disease because of the targeted damage it exerts.  The findings also leave some helpful takeaways for clean eaters. Study co-author Paul Beslin, PhD, "Sample the oil. The more it stings you throat, the higher in oleocanthal it is."

Article from Clean Eating Magazine - June 2015