Olive Oil – A Cure for Psoriasis?

Some people swear by warm olive oil as a topical treatment for mild scalp psoriasis, but the benefits of olive oil for people with psoriasis may extend beyond topical applications. An interesting study published in the January 2015 issue of the Journal of Translational Medicine found that adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in general, and particularly a high consumption of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is a key characteristic of this healthy eating plan, were significantly lower in a group of psoriatic patients than in a group of healthy control subjects. To learn more about this groundbreaking study, keep reading.

In 2014, a team of Italian researchers set to investigate the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet which is characterized by a high consumption of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and whole grains. To carry out their study, the investigators recruited 62 psoriatic patients as well as 62 healthy subjects, matched for age, sex and body mass index, who served as a control group. The psoriatic patients included in this study had suffered from psoriasis for at least six months prior to the study and had not received any systemic treatment for at least three months.

To assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, the researchers used a relatively simple questionnaire which covered fourteen dietary habits characteristic of the Mediterranean Diet, such as a high consumption of extra-virgin olive oil. Standardized Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were used to evaluate the severity of psoriasis.

The results of this cross-sectional, observational case-control study were promising: Not only was the percentage of people who reported high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was significantly lower in the psoriasis group than in the control group, there were also significant differences between the two groups in terms of consumption of specific foods characteristics of Mediterranean-style eating plans. In particular, extra-virgin olive oil, fruit, fish and nuts were associated with a lower risk of mild-to-severe psoriasis. Also the PASI score and CRP levels were negatively correlated with the consumption of extra-virgin olive oil, fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil was even found to be an independent predictor of the PASI score. The researchers responsible for this study believe that the observed beneficial effects of a high consumption of extra-virgin olive oil might be linked to the high levels of oleocanthal found in olive oil. Oleocanthal is a phenolic compound with strong anti-inflammatory properties.

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Book You May Like

In The Complete Mediterranean Diet, Dr. Michael Ozner shares his deep knowledge of the science behind the wide-ranging health benefits of the so-called Mediterranean Diet. In addition to providing convincing arguments why you should switch to the Mediterranean Diet, this nearly 600-page book is jam-packed with classic Mediterranean recipes. To learn more, or to order your copy today, head to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca.