There are many reports of the health benefits of olive oil with PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in olive oil receiving the most attention.
Unfortunately, what is missing from the discussion are the many different antioxidants in olive oil. One of those is hydroxytyrosol (hi-drok-see-ty-ruh-sol). Hydroxytyrosol from here will be referred to as ‘HT’.
A study out of the University of Siena in Italy evaluated the potential of HT to target a cell surface protein in colon cancer cells.
The objective was to determine if HT can target a protein on the cell surface of colon cancer cells.
This protein is known as EGFR, a protein receptor that controls inflammation and the spreading of cancer cells.
When cells were grown and treated with HT the EGFR was degraded limiting the growth of colon cancer cells.
In a mouse model HT was also observed to decrease EGFR in colon cancer cells.
Take away message: The message that we should not take away from this research is that olive oil can treat colon cancer. The reason we can not jump to that conclusion is the scope of study is limited to cancer cells grown in a lab and an animal model.
The more important message to take away from this study is that olive oil provides more than ‘good fats’ or ‘good oils’ or ‘PUFAs’. This study does support the concept that olive oil as a whole, including HT, may help support a lifestyle.
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2016 March; Volume 60(Issue 3): Pages 519-29.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Antioxidant, Good fats (PUFAs, omega-3)
Clinical trial tests olive oil enriched with polyphenols for improving HDL 
Clinical Trial: Virgin olive oil with thyme improves antioxidant protection in high cholesterol patients