RSSOlive oil more effective than medical gel for arthritis

Posted on Sun, 26 Aug 12

Olive oil more effective than medical gel for arthritis

Olive oil is rich in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and rubbing it into sore joints may be more effective than a medicated cream.

To see how extra virgin olive oil compared to a topical medicated gel containing the anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam a group of thirty women aged 40 – 85 with osteoarthritis of the knee were asked to use either the medicated cream, or olive oil.

After the 4 weeks study the women using olive oil reported less pain and greater physical function than those using piroxicam and greater benefit was seen within just 2 weeks.

Compounds naturally present in extra virgin olive oil such as oleuropein and hydroxy tyrosol have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory effects and may be in part responsible for many of olive oils health benefits. Relevant to arthritis, a recent study in mice found that oleuropein was able to reduce inflammation and joint swelling.

References:

1.     Bohlooli S, Jastan M, Nakhostin-Roohi B, Mohammadi S, Baghaei Z. A pilot double-blinded, randomized, clinical trial of topical virgin olive oil versus piroxicam gel in osteoarthritis of the knee. J Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Mar;18(2):99-101.

2. Impellizzeri D, Esposito E, Mazzon E, Paterniti I, Di Paola R, Morittu VM, Procopio A, Britti D, Cuzzocrea S. Oleuropein aglycone, an olive oil compound, ameliorates development of arthritis caused

Tags: Olive Oil, Arthritis

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