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Nutrition Information |
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Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree for about 6,000 years; having been especially popular in the Isle of Crete (which as you recall, also appeared in the Seven Countries Study to be the site of the lowest incidence of heart disease). All oils that we use for eating and cooking contain "fat" and olive oil is no exception. However, it is mostly monounsaturated fat as opposed to saturated fat or hydrogenated fat. It can be used as a flavoring for cooking or in salad dressings or as a healthy substitute for butter or margarine. Several large population studies have confirmed that diets with higher amounts of fat of the monounsaturated type reduce total cholesterol and LDL ["bad"] cholesterol levels to the same degree as low fat, high-carbohydrate diets [such as the AHA Step I and II diets]. The additional benefit of olive oil is, as part of a Mediterranean type diet, is that it also has a favorable effect on lowering blood triglycerides [also a factor in heart disease] and maintaining HDL ["good" cholesterol]. In a published study, individuals were randomly assigned to one of three diets: a diet enriched with olive oil, an AHA Step II diet, or an average American control diet. The olive oil and Step II diets lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to the same degree. However, triglyceride levels fell 13% in patients on the olive oil diet and increased 11% in the Step II diet. HDL cholesterol levels were unchanged in the olive oil diet but decreased 4% in the Step II diet. Remember we want to keep the HDL up as high as possible to reduce heart disease. Based upon the above information, the authors of the study estimated that the overall risk of cardiovascular disease was lowered by 25% by the olive oil diet and only 12% by the Step II diet. Please note that the cholesterol lowering "statin" type drugs lower risk for a heart attack by about 35%, which is not too much better than the "olive oil" diet alone. In subjects with elevated cholesterols who would benefit from use of statin type medications, additional cardiovascular benefit would then be found by also following a diet with olive oil as a substitute for salad dressing, as a substitute for butter or margarine, and for cooking. Olive oil apparently has other beneficial effects such as lowering blood pressure, inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol [the last step before it gets put into your arteries], providing anti-inflammatory effects, and improving insulin sensitivity. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given manufactures of olive oil and some olive oil-containing food the green light to carry a statement about their potential heart benefits. The claim indicates evidence suggesting that about 2 tablespoons of olive oil per day may reduce the risk of a heart attack. However, to achieve this result, the olive oil should replace a similar amount of saturated fat and should not increase the total daily calories. The strong taste of extra-virgin olive oil is partly because of the presence of a large amount of "flavonoids", which account for its antioxidant properties that then reduce LDL oxidation. Other foods rich in flavonoids include berries, apples, onions, tea, and red wine (all of which have also been shown to be of benefit in reducing overall heart risk). Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment. Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387&
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Take A Look At Short-Term Rental Regulations That Are Already In Effect Nantucket Current Maui transient vacation rental phaseout—more housing, fewer jobs University of Hawaii System Phasing out Maui short-term rentals would increase housing but hit economy, UHERO report says Hawaii Public Radio Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Hotel or rental for your summer trip? Know the pros and cons of each WCPO 9 Cincinnati Vrbo Just Released Its Top Vacation Homes for 2025—and We're Ready to Book Our Next Trip veranda.com The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance for 2025 U.S. News & World Report Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz Judge strikes down South Lake Tahoe vacation rental limits San Francisco Chronicle Vacation rentals rebound on Anna Maria Island as tourism picks up after 2024 hurricanes Bay News 9 Stunning Dripping Springs oasis named a Vrbo top vacation rental of 2025 CultureMap Austin Phoenix firm involved in bidding war for vacation rental company The Business Journals Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy thederrick.com Capitalizing on the $147 Billion Vacation Rental Market GlobeNewswire Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy Goshen News This Ohio Airbnb tops travelers' wishlists with a nearly perfect rating. See inside The Columbus Dispatch Dune Vacation Rentals Domus Pacis - Vrbo's 2025 Vacation Rental of the Year in Seagrove Beach, FL 30A Yahoo Finance Vrbo reveals its 2025 vacation rentals of the year Short Term Rentals - News It's Not Your Imagination: Palm Coast Homes Used as Vacation Rentals Increase by 70% in 2 Years, to Over 500 FlaglerLive Vrbo Just Revealed Its Top 10 Vacation Rentals of 2025—And You Won’t Believe How Stunning They Are Reader's Digest Indian Rocks Beach to fight vacation rental lawsuit Tampa Bay Times Vrbo Reveals the 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year Yahoo Finance The 9 Most Remarkable Airbnb Treehouses You’ll Ever Stay At Outside Magazine Cocoa Beach hikes fees to operate vacation rentals Florida Today North County Report: More Vacation Rentals, More Problems Voice of San Diego Vacation Rentals Florida Trend Find out how to book a night at this glamping dome most 'wish-listed' by Airbnb users Kewanee Star Courier Palm Springs eases vacation rental rules in effort to aid Los Angeles area wildfire evacuees The Palm Springs Post San Diego needs more money to enforce vacation rentals so it’s raising licensing fees San Diego Union-Tribune Indian Rocks Beach votes to weaken vacation rental rules ABC Action News Tampa Bay Manatee County Commission votes to pursue regulation of short-term vacation rentals Sarasota Herald-Tribune Why Hawaii Vacation Rentals Plummeted To 52% Beat of Hawaii Gulf Shores Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Citing housing crisis, Santa Cruz County supervisors take aim at vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz AI-Powered Travel Trends and the Smart-Bot Tsunami: The Future of Personalized Vacation Rentals GlobeNewswire Flamingo hotel operator is now offering luxury vacation rentals complete with concierge service The Press Democrat Groups file suit against Gallatin County over vacation rental ban Missoula Current Ventura gives initial approval to new rules for short-term vacation rentals Ventura County Star Why rich Americans are ditching their fancy hotels on vacation Business Insider Capital One Travel Adds Vacation Rentals — And You Can Earn 5x Miles on Venture Cards Upgraded Points Pinellas commissioners reject controversial changes to short-term vacation rental rules ABC Action News Tampa Bay Newry’s Vacation Rental Ordinance to be discussed at public meeting Lewiston Sun Journal Hawaii County Council’s vacation rentals bill shelved Honolulu Star-Advertiser Beachfront Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Vacasa founder Breon launches new vacation rental startup Fairly Short Term Rentals - News Owner-Managed Vacation Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism I'm a full-time traveler. I use these 5 questions to spot red flags in any vacation rental listing. Business Insider |
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