Think Pinker

It seems that olive oil may have an important role in preventing breast cancer. According to a report on MSNBC researchers have been working in a lab testing olive oil components against breast cancer cells. What they found is very astonishing – breast cancer cells cannot grow in these components. Now don’t get too excited yet. Researchers feel that if a woman increases her intake of olive oil it won’t have a significant role in reducing breast cancer, but what they do believe is that those components can be used in the creation of safe breast cancer drugs.

What they found is that these components actually block the activity of the cells in forming cancerous cells. The fractions that contain lignans and secoirdoids block normal function of the HER2 gene. This gene is responsible for some forms of breast cancer.

The idea that plant polyphenols may have anticancer properties isn’t new but the idea that extracts from olive oil can is definitely new. These same types of phenols are present in extra virgin olive oil. However, as mentioned earlier you would not be able to intake enough olive oil to directly reduce your risk. The active ingredients in olive oil are likely to find their way into new treatments that will reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Although let’s not forget how healthy olive oil is for you. In fact, your diet should contain monounsaturated fats like those found in olive oil and contain a lot less saturated fats like those found in pastries. Monounsaturated fats

This research is still in the early stages but never the less it is exciting since the magnitude of the possibilities are big, and every step towards a cure for breast cancer is good news.