Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil beneficial for bones, study says

Tested for thousands of years Mediterranean food has been acclaimed internationally, not only for its wide variety (fish, rice, beans, meat, olive oil), but also for the health benefits and many properties it exerts. Mediterranean diet has been associated in several studies with a significant amelioration of multiple risk factors, including among some of them a better cardiovascular risk profile, reduced oxidative stress and modulation of inflammation [12]. Image left: Olives by Peter Firminger under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC by 2.0).

The most commonly used herbs in Mediterranean food are rosemary, parsley, sage, garlic and oregano, among many others, but if something can be identified as integral part of the Mediterranean diet is olives, and even more olive oil. Mediterranean diet can be identified in high consumption of fruits and vegetables, olive oil as principal source of fat, low consumption of meat and dairy products and moderate consumption of wine [12]. Now, a study reveals other properties that relate to its benefits for bone formation.

OLEA EUROPAEA

Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Olea
Common name: Olives

The intake of olive oil has been related to the prevention of osteoporosis [13], however it hasn't been until now that a study on the subject has confirmed how the consumption of a Mediterranean diet enriched with virgin olive oil for 2 years is associated with increased serum osteocalcin, a bone-building protein, and P1NP concentrations, suggesting protective effects on bones [13].

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Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition Unit (J.M.F.-R., M.M.-N., W.R.), Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta, 17007 Girona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (J.M.F.-R., M.M.-N., W.R., E.R., R.E., J.S.-S.), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Human Nutrition Unit (M.B., J.S.-S.), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Pere Virgili Health Research Institute, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; and Lipid Clinic (E.R.), Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, and Department of Internal Medicine (R.E.), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, the Hospital Clínic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.