Olive Oil May Prevent A Stroke!

Increasing Dietary Intake

Of Olive Oil Daily

May Prevent A Stroke...

A new study suggests that consuming olive oil may help
prevent a stroke in older people. The research is published
in the June 15, 2011, online issue of "Neurology" the
medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

"Our research suggests that a new set of dietary recommendations should be issued to prevent stroke in
people 65 and older," said researchers from the University
of Bordeaux and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in Bordeaux, France. "Stroke is so
common in older people and olive oil would be an
inexpensive and easy way to help prevent it."

For the study, researchers looked at the medical records
of 7,625 people ages 65 and older from three cities in France: Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier. The participants had no
history of stroke. Olive oil consumption was categorized as
"No Use," "Moderate Use" such as using olive oil in cooking
or as dressing or with bread, and "Intensive Use" which
included using olive oil for both cooking and as dressing
or with bread.

The researchers conducting the study said the participants
mainly used extra virgin olive oil, as that is 98 percent of what
is available in France.

After a little over five years, there were 148 strokes. For the
study, the researchers considered diet, physical activity, body mass index and other risk factors for stroke, the study found
that those who regularly used olive oil for both cooking and as dressing had a 41 percent lower risk of stroke compared to
those who never used olive oil in their diet (1.5 percent in six years compared to 2.6 percent).

Olive oil has long been associated with potentially protective effects against many cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.

The study was supported by INSERM, the Institute of Health
and Public Development, Sanofi-Aventis, the Foundation for Medical Research, the National Workers Health Fund, the General Directorate of Health, the Mutual General of National Education, the Institute of Longevity, the Regional Governments
of Aquitaine and Bourgogne, the Foundation of France, the Ministry of Research, the French National Research Agency,
and Lipids for Industry, Safety and Health.

Story Source:
American Academy of Neurology.
Journal Reference:
"Olive oil consumption, plasma oleic acid and stroke incidence: The Three-City Study. Neurology" 2011