Oct 31, 2005

Olive Oil May Protect Against Colon Cancer

Your commonly used olive oil could be your next key weapon against colorectal cancer as per the results of a new study. Researchers from University of Ulster have found that special phenols extracted from olive oil could protect you from colorectal cancer. Researchers are well aware of the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in olive oil, in colon cancer protection. This research sheds light on this well know fact by identifying ways by which olive oil could provide protection and reduce the cancer risk.

Dr Chris IR Gill, one of the researchers, explained: "Because the colon is one of the major cancer sites thought to be protected by olive oil, the UU research team studied the potential anti-cancer effects of virgin olive chemical compounds in cultured cell lines widely used as models for colorectal cancer.

"We found that incubation of one cancer cell line with increasing concentrations of olive oil phenols for 24 hours protected the cells from DNA damage. The effect of olive oil phenols on another cell line after 48 hours of exposure suggested that they 'may exert an anti-promoter effect in the carcinogenesis pathway'.

"While the findings are purely of an experimental nature, they identify mechanisms that support the scientific and medical evidence suggesting an association between olive oil consumption and decreased risk of cancer.

"The research shows that the effect is not only related to the types of fat present in the oil but also the phenolic compounds present. The next stage is to assess the effects in a suitable animal model."

The findings will be published in this month's International Journal of Cancer.

Sue      Return to Colon Cancer Blog Main

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Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that arises from the inner wall of the large intestine or rectum. Colorectal cancer is the third commonest cancer diagnosed in the United States. Each year over 100,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the United States. Most, of these cancers develop from growths in the colon called polyps. Removal of these polyps can prevent colon cancer.