Oleocanthal heals! It is a natural phenolic compound found exclusively in extra-virgin olive oil. It has been shown to have a beneficial effect on many different pathologies and diseases, by conferring anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits.
In fact, many studies have shown that Oleocanthal reduces inflammation and oxidative stress and has beneficial effects on markers of neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatic pathologies and even cancer.
Can Oleocanthal Fight Cancer?
Numerous correlative studies indicate that consumption of olive oil reduces the incidence and morbidity of cancer. Researchers suggest there might be a mechanism with which Oleocanthal may preferentially kill cancer cells whilst sparing healthy cells. The exact mechanism is debated, but it has been observed that Oleocanthal acts as a lysosomotropic agent.
It was shown that Extra virgin olive oils that were naturally rich in Oleocanthal significantly lowered cancer cell viability and induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization. In other words, Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil selectively caused death in cancer cells.
It is important to note that oleocanthal-poor olive oils did not have this effect.
The same study has also demonstrated that Oleocanthal treatment reduced the tumor burden and extended the lifespan of mice that had been engineered to develop pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Another study showed that Oleocanthal inhibited growth of human breast cancer cells. Treatment with oleocanthal resulted in 97% inhibition of tumor growth in mice. Oleocanthal treatment also reduced total levels of estrogen receptors both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential beneficial effect in suppressing growth of hormone-dependent breast cancer.
Similarly, a third study showed that Oleocanthal has the novel ability to suppress lung cancer progression and metastasis.
Can Oleocanthal Reduce Inflammatory Illness?
Research studies link Oleocanthal to a possible improvement in patients suffering from high blood pressure.
Specifically, a study has concluded that due to its high oleic acid and antioxidant polyphenol content, the consumption of olive oil may be advised as the optimal fat choice in the management protocols for hypertension in both healthy and cardiovascular disease patients.
Another study demonstrates that Oleocanthal and Oleic acid counteract adipocyte (fat cell) inflammation and suggests that these compounds could be used as dietary tools for the prevention of inflammatory diseases associated with obesity.
Can Oleocanthal Reduce Cognitive Decline?
In a systematic review of a total of 24 studies, twelve studies found a positive correlation with reduced cognitive decline.
Another study has shown that Oleocanthal has neuroprotective effects against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in neuron-like cells.
A third study showed the significant anti-inflammatory effect of Oleocanthal in the brains of mice suffering from Alzheimer's and had protective effects against the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Further research also demonstrated that EVOO therapy may prevent the risk of patients with moderate cognitive impairement to progress to Alzheimer's disease, by decreasing Alzheimer's risk factors and biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Finally, a long-term intervention with High Phenolic, Early Harvest, Extra Virgin Olive Oil was associated with significant improvement in cognitive function compared, independent of the presence of the "Alzheimer's gene" APOEɛ4.
Oleocanthal Levels Count
Is it any wonder that Oleocanthal has been called the magic phenolic compound of olive oil? Just beware! Not all olive oils are equal and an oil being labelled "extra virgin" is not a guarantee of a sufficiently high phenolic content for measurable benefits.
We state responsibly and verifiably, that Agrophilippos High-Phenolic Olive Oil has levels of Oleocathnal that are nearly 8 times higher than average. And that's why many of our clients all around the world take it therapeutically.
Our Classic High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil has more than 700 ppm (polyphenols per millilitre) which make this the perfect daily health supplement! This is a good all-rounder, and a great place to start for all who want to improve their sense of overall health and well-being.
Our new Premium High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is guaranteed to have more than 1000 polyphenols per milligram (ppm), It is perfect for athletes looking to gain a powerful performance edge!
Our new Gold Standard High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is guaranteed to have more than 1500 polyphenols per milligram (ppm). This is highly therapeutic and recommended for inflammatory, neurological conditions such as Autism and Alzheimer's.
Sources
Colizzi C. The protective effects of polyphenols on Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2018 Nov 1;5:184-196. doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.09.002. PMID: 31194101; PMCID: PMC6551378. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6551378/
Goren L, Zhang G, Kaushik S, Breslin PAS, Du YN, Foster DA. (-)-Oleocanthal and (-)-oleocanthal-rich olive oils induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization in cancer cells. PLoS One. 2019 Aug 14;14(8):e0216024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216024. PMID: 31412041; PMCID: PMC6693737. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6693737/
Ayoub NM, Siddique AB, Ebrahim HY, Mohyeldin MM, El Sayed KA. The olive oil phenolic (-)-oleocanthal modulates estrogen receptor expression in luminal breast cancer in vitro and in vivo and synergizes with tamoxifen treatment. Eur J Pharmacol. 2017 Sep 5;810:100-111. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.06.019. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID: 28625568; PMCID: PMC5542686. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5542686/
Siddique AB, Kilgore PCSR, Tajmim A, Singh SS, Meyer SA, Jois SD, Cvek U, Trutschl M, Sayed KAE. (-)-Oleocanthal as a Dual c-MET-COX2 Inhibitor for the Control of Lung Cancer. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 11;12(6):1749. doi: 10.3390/nu12061749. PMID: 32545325; PMCID: PMC7353354. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353354/
Pei T, Meng Q, Han J, Sun H, Li L, Song R, Sun B, Pan S, Liang D, Liu L. (-)-Oleocanthal inhibits growth and metastasis by blocking activation of STAT3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget. 2016 Jul 12;7(28):43475-43491. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.9782. PMID: 27259268; PMCID: PMC5190038. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5190038/
Giusti L, Angeloni C, Barbalace MC, Lacerenza S, Ciregia F, Ronci M, Urbani A, Manera C, Digiacomo M, Macchia M, Mazzoni MR, Lucacchini A, Hrelia S. A Proteomic Approach to Uncover Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Oleocanthal against Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Aug 8;19(8):2329. doi: 10.3390/ijms19082329. PMID: 30096819; PMCID: PMC6121693. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121693/
Qosa H, Batarseh YS, Mohyeldin MM, El Sayed KA, Keller JN, Kaddoumi A. Oleocanthal enhances amyloid-β clearance from the brains of TgSwDI mice and in vitro across a human blood-brain barrier model. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2015 Nov 18;6(11):1849-59. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00190. Epub 2015 Sep 16. PMID: 26348065; PMCID: PMC4653763. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4653763/
Massaro M, Scoditti E, Carluccio MA, Calabriso N, Santarpino G, Verri T, De Caterina R. Effects of Olive Oil on Blood Pressure: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Mechanistic Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 May 26;12(6):1548. doi: 10.3390/nu12061548. PMID: 32466599; PMCID: PMC7352724. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352724/
Carpi S, Scoditti E, Massaro M, Polini B, Manera C, Digiacomo M, Esposito Salsano J, Poli G, Tuccinardi T, Doccini S, Santorelli FM, Carluccio MA, Macchia M, Wabitsch M, De Caterina R, Nieri P. The Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenols Oleocanthal and Oleacein Counteract Inflammation-Related Gene and miRNA Expression in Adipocytes by Attenuating NF-κB Activation. Nutrients. 2019 Nov 21;11(12):2855. doi: 10.3390/nu11122855. PMID: 31766503; PMCID: PMC6950227. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6950227/
Tsolaki M, Lazarou E, Kozori M, Petridou N, Tabakis I, Lazarou I, Karakota M, Saoulidis I, Melliou E, Magiatis P. A Randomized Clinical Trial of Greek High Phenolic Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The MICOIL Pilot Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;78(2):801-817. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200405. PMID: 33044178. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33044178/
Tzekaki EE, Tsolaki M, Pantazaki AA, Geromichalos G, Lazarou E, Kozori M, Sinakos Z. Administration of the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients as a therapy for preventing the progress to AD. Hell J Nucl Med. 2019 Sep-Dec;22 Suppl 2:181. PMID: 31802059. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31802059/