Extra Virgin Olive Oil

[galvo]

I just read an article extolling the benefits of extra virgin olive oil. It said that 'Recent research (by whom?) proves that not only does an olive-rich diet help the heart and fight various cancers, but eating this healthy fruit (olives) and its oil also helps with blood pressure and blood clotting conditions. It also helps with inflammation.

Following the EUROLIVE (?) study coducted across five European countries, it was found that two tablespoons a day of extra virgin olive oil can lead to significant health benefits in only three weeks. Many scientists now recommend consuming two tablespoons a day, which can be drizzled on food to give more flavour".

So, may I please have your thoughts and opinions on this matter in so far as it could apply to us Kidney folk.

[billybags]

I can not stand olive oil.

[looneytunes]

I cook quite a bit using Olive Oil and I am pretty healthy (knock on wood...).  I had heard of the benefits several years ago and quit using other types of oil except in baking such as bread, cake, cookies, etc.  If I fry or sautee anything, it is in olive oil. 

[MooseMom]

I love olive oils!  We have a local shop that specializes in different kinds of olive oil; it's like choosing wine in that the oils differ in taste according to which kinds of olives are used.  I like arbequina.

EVOO is great in salads and in toppings, but I don't use it for cooking as heat destroys the delicate flavor.  I use regular olive oil for that, and you can buy it in great big tins, imported from Europe.  I particularly like Spanish olive oils for cooking.  But then again, I lived in Spain for a short while, so the flavors provide nice memories.

EVOO is better for the heart than saturated fats like butter or lard, but it still IS a fat, so it has a lot of calories.  Again, moderation is the key.

[Lillupie]

I have never ever heard anything negative about olive oil. Although now once my bottle is gone I want to cook with lard or something with a bit more fat content (im trying to gain weight), for I lost 20lbs in the last 6 months,
 Olive oil I dont think is a problem on d. IT is very, very healthy for you. THe fat content it does have is very healthy.

Lisa

[kristina]

galvo, EUROLIVE researches with the support of the European Commission Health, Food and Environment.
I believe they are based in Barcelona, Spain.

I have been using two spoonfuls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil every day for many years because I suffer from Lupus/SLE/MCTD and inflammatory flare-ups
plus drug intolerance and because of the drug-intolerance I cannot tolerate any anti-inflammatory medication.
Many years ago I read that Extra Virgin Olive Oil acts as an anti-inflammatory and that is why I use it every day.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil also has a good effect on the heart and other organs.  I even use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the bread I bake.

Good luck from Kristina.

[cariad]

I heard about 5 years ago that heat will break down the healthy components of the oil, so if you are using it for health benefits I would try to make sure your 2 tablespoons are raw.

My mother is so into alternative drugs and therapies, if I remember next time I speak to her, I'll ask. Her answer will be detailed.

A bit of olive oil and a splash of balsamic are fantastic on salads, or for dipping bread. I used to finish pasta by drizzling olive oil on top of the sauce just before serving.

[monrein]

Olive oil is very heart healthy, especially raw (heating does alter the oil) and has 120 calories per tablespoon. Lard has 115 per tablespoon and is saturated fat, therefore less heart healthy.  They aren't necessarily interchangeable...olive oil has a much lower burn point than lard or other oils so isn't good for deep frying although sauteeing can be fine if done carefully.  Use olive oil liberally to make your own salad dressing vinaigrettes (balsamic vinegar or flavoured vinegars plus olive oil is delicious ) and you can also use this to add flavour to steamed veggies, chopped salads or cold meat or fish. 

[lmunchkin]

I use EVOO with stir frying and I do sprinkle over our salads.  Not sure if it is Renal friendly or not, but is good for you rather than other oils.

lmunchkin
 

[Cordelia]

I only use it for brushing on my pitas to do a crisp chip effect, I brush them with olive oil and then a little garlic powder, but I must admit, I don't consume that much even in a week lol  wow

Must be fine to eat for us because a lot of my renal-friendly cookbooks call for it to be used in a lot of things.

[cassandra]

rapeseed oil is just as good (according to research ages ago too) and an awful lot cheaper

[ToddB0130]

Bought some tonight.  What the heck, it can't hurt.  I'll use it on salads.  I bought some lime juice and will add some pepper and make my own dressing with it.

[billybags]

I only use rapeseed oil , not olive oil, yuk

[Rain]

These are the oils I use:  Virgin Olive Oil for marinades and cooking, Extra Virgin Olive Oil for salad dressings, Macadamia Nut Oil of frying, and Flaxseed oil for salad dressings.