197 Virgin Olive Oil Benefits Products derived from Olea europaea (bark, fruits, leaves, wood, seeds, and oil), alone or in combination with other plants and natural products, have been employed in European and Asian ethnopharmacology for a wide range of ailments. This chapter summarises the scientific evidence for the use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as an analgesic and for bone health and gastric system maintenance, both topically and through ingestion. The benefits observed in traditional medicine in relation to products derived from Olea europaea, including EVOO, have been demonstrated in animal models, and in an incipient, but very promising way, in human studies. KEYWORDS: Pain, Bone health, Gastrointestinal health, EVOOE ABBREVIATIONS: DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ROO: Refined olive oil EPIC: European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition EVOO: Extra virgin olive oil FKP: Front knee pain IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease FM: Fibromyalgia GI: Gastrointestinal IgA: Immunoglobulin A PREDIMED: Prevention with Mediterranean diet (“PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea”) abstract
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