The benefits of olive oil for osteoporosis
The benefits of olive oil for osteoporosis

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The benefits of olive oil for osteoporosis

The benefits of olive oil for osteoporosis

Do you ever wonder why people in Europe have one of the most delicious cuisines and the also manage to look and feel great? New studies suggest that their secret may be olive oil. It turns out this rich cooking ingredient may also do wonders for menopausal women with achy bones and joints.

What makes olive oil healthy?

Menopausal osteoporosis is caused by a combination of hormonal imbalance and inflammation of the joints. While olive oil may not be able to restore your estrogen levels to premenopausal times, you can still take comfort in the fact that it directly nourishes your skeletal system in several ways.

Olive oil is known as a "good fat" and is commonly preferred over animal fat in food preparation. This fat has several benefits, the most important being its ability to help the body breakdown calcium so that it can be stored in your bones. These monounsaturated fats also make sure that your bone marrow itself doesn't develop too much fat-a condition that can prevent calcium deposits into bones.

In addition, olive leaves and olive oil contain polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the body and help prevent blood clotting. These polyphenols also turn into anti-inflammatory agents when digested. By providing alleviation for inflamed joints, they provide valuable relief for people suffering from osteoporosis.

How do they know?

The link between olive oil and a decreased risk of osteoporosis was suspected by scientists who examined the health of people in Spain, Italy and Greece. The cultures of this region usually follow a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil and also report fewer cases of osteoporosis.

Olive oil is produced through the pressing of olives. The best kind to consume is extra virgin olive oil, which gets its name from the fact that the olives used to make it are only pressed once. Because of this process, extra virgin olive oil has the most antioxidants and health benefits.

Can I take olive oil supplements to fight osteoporosis?

Although still in its infancy, the research of how olive oil can be used in supplements to help prevent bone loss is progressing steadily. International companies are already seeking patents on olive oil compounds to use in foods and medicines.

More Information about Osteoporosis during Menopause:

The best way to fight osteoporosis is to prevent it, and you can do that by making sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D from the foods that you eat. Click the following link to find out more about olive oil and other alternative treatments for osteoporosis.

To learn more about Osteoporosis menopausal osteoporosis

Other Related Articles:
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How to negotiate a calcium-rich diet to prevent osteoporosis
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Sources:
  • "Menopause and Osteoporosis." Cleveland Clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org
  • "What You Need to Know about Osteoporosis." American Physical Therapy Association. www.apta.org.
  • "Calcium and Healthy Bones." New York State Department of Health. www.health.state.ny.us.
  • "Prevention: Who's at Risk." National Osteoporosis Foundation. www.nof.org.