posted by PHILEOS EVOO on November 14, 2022
High phenolic olive oils have been associated with significant improvement in mental function in people with early Alzheimer symptoms.
Why all the fuss and so much emphasis on polyphenols?
Numerous scientific studies suggest that oleocanthal, one of the phenols found in oil from certain varieties of olives, is an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent that may help prevent or treat such illnesses as Alzheimer's, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Another phenol found in olive oil, oleacein, is an anti-oxidant that could help the fight against heart failure, hypertension, and oxidative stress. Some studies suggest that oleic acid, one of the fatty acids found in olive oil, may help fight off cancer and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as helping wounds to heal.
"High phenolic olive oils have been associated with significant improvement in mental function in people with early Alzheimer symptoms". These are the findings from research jointly conducted by The Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD - Alzheimer Hellas), and the World Olive Center for Health (WOCH).
High Phenolic Impact Study
The text that follows is taken directly from the joint press release issued by the two organisations noted above in October 2020.
For the first time, high phenolic olive oils rich in oleocanthal and oleacein were associated with a significant improvement in mental functions in humans. The effect of daily ingestion of high phenolic olive oils was found to be dose-dependent according to the concentration of phenolic compounds. Positive results were achieved within 3 months. This proves once again the wisdom of ancient physicians like Hippocrates and Doiscorides who insisted that the only olive oils that could be considered medicinal were those produced from unripened green olives.
In particular, a long-term diet rich in early harvest extra virgin olive rich in phenols and especially oleocanthal, protects against Alzheimer's disease, as the results of the MICOIL (Mild Cognitive impairment) study showed and represents a shield against Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.
In the context of this work, scientists from the Department of Neurology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD - Alzheimer Hellas) investigated for the first time the effect of high-yield phenols of early harvest extra virgin olive oil on moderate phenol content of extra virgin olive oil - and the Mediterranean Diet as a natural remedy for amnesic type mild mental disorder (Mild Cognitive Impairment - aMCI). In addition, genetic predisposition (APOE e4) for Alzheimer's Disease was examined and extensive neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline and after 12 months.
Phileos Ultra Premium Organic Early Harvest (Agoureleo) Extra Virgin Olive oil
Amnsesic Mild Cognitive Impairment is usually a precursor to Alzheimer's Disease and is characterised by memory loss and inability to perform complex daily activities. While there is no cure for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease (other than symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer's disease), the global effort against mental disorders focuses on the early detection and management of Alzheimer's disease in the amnesic stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment.
A long-term intervention with a Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil (50ml daily) in 285 study participants, with a high vascular risk, resulted in better mental function compared to the controlled diet group.
The MICOIL study showed that long-term intervention with a high-concentration of phenols in early-harvest extra virgin olive oil or moderate concentration of phenols extra virgin olive oil was associated with a significant improvement in cognitive function compared to the Mediterranean diet, independent of the presence of APOE e4.
Phileos EVOO is Packed with High Phenol Levels
Phileos is pleased to announce that all of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils contain extremely high levels of phenols - 6X to 10X more compared to the majority of EVOOs found in the marketplace. Phileos has also received distinguished international awards for health claims that support this fact including from the World Olive Center for Health. We would also be remiss not to note that our oil is flavorful and great tasting as well.
Phileos' multiple Gold Award have also been received by the Olympia Awards which are completely different from most olive oil competitions. Other competitions’ judges “perform a sensory evaluation (organoleptic analysis) of the participating samples; they judge the taste, the aromas, the complexity, and other sensory evaluation parameters, in order to give a score” and determine the winners. However, for the Olympia Awards, “the main factor (apart from the basic analysis according to International Olive Council standards) is the level of polyphenols, meaning that they measure the healthy attributes of the samples. It is a totally different approach.
The Olympia Awards are important since some consumers are “interested not only in a natural taste, but also in the healthy attributes of an olive oil. We are able to achieve such healthy EVOO by working closely and very carefully with our family of skilled artisan farmers. This results in the production of excellent batches of olives, transfer them in baskets, and extract them in our olive mill within eight hours of the harvest. In our advanced olive mill we have a very fast and very delicate extraction process to keep all nutritious elements at the highest possible level. Low temperatures, no added water, two phase extraction, and of course prompt extraction are some of the key points for a good, healthy olive oil.
This establishes and strengthens the belief in both consumers and retailers that we are producers of healthy EVOO.” We are proud that our company is one of the only ones who can produce this quality in such a great volume” in Greece.