Rossdhu Olive Oils - Health and Olive Oil

Olive oil is known to have many health benefits and this is one of the reasons Pam and Robert became involved with producing premium quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Robert’s brother, Associate Professor Dr David Colquhoun, a practicing cardiologist, has been involved in extensive research for the International Olive Oil Council into the health benefits of olive oil. His research ‘The Olive Study’ compares the effects of a low-fat diet to a high fat Mediterranean diet modified to Australian tastes. David reports “the good news is that the data shows that a Mediterranean style diet has a positive effect on arteries which are already blocked. Some may even open up on this diet”.

David advocates a diet based on the traditional Greek diet of olive oil, bread, fetta cheese and plenty of fruit and vegetables. This diet is low in saturated fat and high in mono-unsaturated fat, which comes almost entirely from olive oil. Rather than cut down on fats, David says that it is preferable to change the type of fat consumed. Fat adds flavour and texture to food. A healthy diet can be high in fat if it is primarily monounsaturated fatty acids or oleic acid, as is found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Sixty Minutes Interview

On Sunday, 6 March 2005, David was a guest on 60 Minutes on Channel 9 for the segment French women don’t get fat (reporter Tara Brown, producer Stephen Taylor). In the interview on 60 Minutes Dr. David Colquhoun spoke about the importance of the Mediterranean diet, which he summarised into using extra virgin olive oil, no butter or cream; eating multigrain bread daily, fish at least weekly, more and a variety of fruit and vegetables, less meat and only lean meat, wine daily. His advice is that eating well can be a pleasurable experience. We should look at food as a pleasant experience in life rather than as fuel.

A transcript of the interview and the online chat session following the program can be obtained from www.sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/sixtyminutes/stories/2005_03_06

Macular Degeneration

The Macular Degeneration Foundation provides a Fact Sheet as a guide to the nutrients that may help to maintain eye health. Under ‘What should you eat?’ they state that one should 'aim for a well balanced diet”. You should eat plenty of nuts, fish, brightly coloured vegetables and fruit. Avoid all vegetable oils except olive oil.'

The consumption of vegetable oils has been associated with the development of macular degeneration. Those having a large consumption of vegetable oils have twice the risk of developing macular degeneration.

Summary:

• You should be aware of the ‘hidden’ oils in the processed foods that you buy and avoid hydrogenated fats like margarine.
• You should increase your intake of Omega 3 EFA’s found in fish especially sardines and salmon, seeds and nuts (flax seeds and walnuts).

Further information can be obtained at www.mdfoundation.com.au