Olive oil against Parkinson’s

Olive oil against Parkinson’s disease: How does it work?

The bioactivity of the phenolic compounds in olive oil (particularly extra virgin olive oil) has been the subject of interest in relation to neuroprotection. Indeed, olive oil is rich in phenolic compounds, particularly hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and oleuropein, which exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties have been suggested to confer neuroprotective effects in various experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases.

In this sense, the phenolic compounds in olive oil can neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce oxidative stress, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Furthermore, the phenols in olive oil possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can modulate inflammatory pathways in the brain. Chronic neuroinflammation is associated with the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and reducing inflammation may help slow disease progression.

In fact, some phenolic compounds in olive oil have been shown to increase endogenous antioxidant enzymes and other cellular defense mechanisms, which may protect neurons from damage, and to modulate various signaling pathways involved in cell survival, apoptosis, and neuronal plasticity, which are important for maintaining neuronal health and function.

While in vitro and animal studies have provided promising evidence for the neuroprotective effects of olive oil phenols, more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action and potential clinical relevance in humans. In this regard, epidemiological studies have suggested that a Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil and other plant-based foods, may be associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

However, randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether olive oil phenols specifically contribute to these observed benefits and whether they could be used as therapeutic agents for neuroprotection.