Nutraceutical: Polyphenols

Indication: Atherosclerosis

Source: Clin Nutr, August 2011;30(4):490-493.

Research: In this study, researchers assessed the effect of olive oil polyphenols in reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis. This randomized, controlled, crossover study involved 200 healthy men who were randomly assigned to 3-week sequences of 25 mL/day of 3 olive oils with high (366 mg/kg), medium (164 mg/kg) and low (2.7 mg/kg) phenolic content.

Results: Results showed plasma oxidized LDL autoantibody concentration was inversely associated with oxidized LDL, and a direct association was found between oxidized LDL autoantibodies and total olive oil phenol content in LDL. Furthermore, oxidized LDL autoantibody concentrations increased directly in a dose-dependent manner with the polyphenol content of the olive oil given (after adjustment for oxidized LDL). The authors concluded that, “Olive oil polyphenols promote OxLDL autoantibodies (OLAB) generation. This effect is stronger at higher concentrations of lipid oxidative damage.”