Table of Contents
- Why I Chose Olive Oil
- Incorporating Olive Oil into My Diet
- Adding olive oil to my meals and snacks
- Using olive oil as a key component of my supplement routine
- Replacing unhealthy fats with olive oil
- My Daily Routine with Olive Oil
- What Did My Olive Oil Intake Look Like?
- Benefits of Olive Oil During Cancer Treatment
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Their Role in Reducing Cancer Cell Growth
- Enhanced Nutrient Absorption and Improved Overall Health
- Support for Maintaining a Healthy Weight and Energy Levels
- Advice for Others Considering Olive Oil During Cancer Treatment
- Consult with Healthcare Professionals Before Making Significant Dietary Changes
- Start by Incorporating Small Amounts of Olive Oil into Your Meals
- Monitor Your Progress and Adjust as Needed to Maintain Overall Health
- The Role of Olive Oil in My Cancer Recovery
- References
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Olive oil and cancer have been widely studied, with research suggesting that higher olive oil consumption may help in cancer prevention. As a stage IV rectal cancer patient, I focused on both medical treatments and nutrition and cancer prevention strategies. My journey included chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, but I also adjusted my diet, incorporating extra virgin olive oil to support my body.
Olive oil intake played a role in my recovery by enhancing the absorption of natural phytonutrients while maintaining a low-carb, anti-inflammatory diet. This article explores the connection between olive oil and cancer, sharing my experience alongside research on its potential impact on cancer cells, colon and rectal cancers, breast cancer risk, and overall cancer prevention.
Why I Chose Olive Oil
Researching nutrition and cancer prevention became a priority after multiple recurrences of colon and rectal cancers. Studies on olive oil and cancer suggest that certain compounds in olive oil may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which researchers are exploring in relation to cancer prevention. Scientists had examined its effects on human cancer cells, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer cell lines, leading me to explore its role in my diet.
Reading studies from Cancer Research UK, the World Cancer Research Fund, and systematic review and meta-analyses, I learned that extra virgin olive oil contains compounds like oleocanthal, which laboratory studies suggest may have anti-inflammatory and cell-regulating properties. Research also linked higher olive oil intake with a reduced breast cancer risk and a lower chance of developing gastrointestinal cancer. This evidence led me to add olive oil consumption to my cancer-fighting strategy.
Incorporating Olive Oil into My Diet
Olive oil intake compared to other fats, provided a healthier option for supporting my recovery. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes high olive oil consumption, has been associated with decreasing cancer risk and reducing invasive breast cancer risk. Including virgin olive oils in my diet helped me absorb key nutrients while keeping my meals aligned with my low-carb, anti-inflammatory approach.
Adding olive oil to my meals and snacks
Used extra virgin olive oil as my primary fat source, drizzling it over vegetables, eggs, and fish. Avoided processed dressings and used olive oil for salads and homemade sauces.
Using olive oil as a key component of my supplement routine
Took 30 cc of olive oil daily to enhance the absorption of natural phytonutrients like curcumin, quercetin, and resveratrol. Research suggests these compounds might help lower gastrointestinal cancer risk and improve overall metabolism.
Replacing unhealthy fats with olive oil
Removed seed oils and processed fats from my diet, choosing extra virgin olive oil instead. This choice aligned with findings from cohort studies and observational studies linking higher olive oil consumption with a lower cancer prevalence and potential protective effects against gastrointestinal cancer incidence.
My Daily Routine with Olive Oil
Tracking olive oil consumption became part of my daily cancer-fighting strategy. Higher olive oil intake helped improve nutrient absorption, maintain energy, and support my low-carb diet. Extra virgin olive oil was included in my supplement routine, paired with meals rich in fermented foods, omega-3 fats, and nutrient-dense vegetables.
What Did My Olive Oil Intake Look Like?
Time | Routine |
10:00 AM | Morning supplements with 30cc of olive oil, making 1000cc of green tea. |
10:30 AM | Half cup of kefir for gut health. |
10:50 AM | Black coffee with 10cc of MCT C8 oil and a small piece of organic grass-fed butter. |
12:00 PM | 30cc of olive oil with supplements and a meal including sauerkraut and other nutrient-dense foods. |
4:00 PM | Exercise. |
7:00 PM | 30cc of olive oil with supplements and dinner. |
11:00 PM | Evening supplements. |
Benefits of Olive Oil During Cancer Treatment
Research on olive oil and cancer suggests its compounds may help decrease cancer risk and support overall health. During treatment, I used extra virgin olive oil as part of my strategy to fight inflammation, improve nutrient absorption, and maintain energy.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Their Role in Reducing Cancer Cell Growth
Chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer progression. Extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, a compound that has been studied for its potential effects on cells in laboratory research.
Cancer Research UK and other systematic review and meta-analyses link high olive oil consumption with lower cancer prevalence in studies on prostate cancer, breast cancer risk, and gastrointestinal cancer risk.
Enhanced Nutrient Absorption and Improved Overall Health
Many olive oil components, including monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, improve the absorption of fat-soluble phytonutrients. Taking olive oil with supplements was part of my routine, as some studies suggest that it may aid in nutrient absorption. This approach aligned with findings from large randomized trials on dietary intervention trials and nutrition and cancer prevention.
Support for Maintaining a Healthy Weight and Energy Levels
Cancer treatment often leads to unintentional weight loss, which affects strength and recovery. Using virgin olive oil helped me maintain my caloric intake while following a low-carb diet, which I personally found beneficial during treatment. Higher olive oil consumption is also associated with lower gastrointestinal cancer incidence in cohort studies and additional prospective cohort studies.
Advice for Others Considering Olive Oil During Cancer Treatment
Olive oil consumption is being studied for its potential role in health and wellness, but it’s important to approach dietary changes with professional guidance. Higher olive oil intake has been studied in cohort and observational studies for its association with dietary patterns linked to health outcomes, including cancer research. Based on my experience, I recommend a careful, structured approach to adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet.
Consult with Healthcare Professionals Before Making Significant Dietary Changes
Medical treatments should always come first. Speaking with an oncologist or nutritionist helps ensure that olive oil intake aligns with treatment plans. Some nutritional factors significantly impact gastrointestinal cancer risk, so working with a professional helps evaluate health care interventions effectively.
Start by Incorporating Small Amounts of Olive Oil into Your Meals
Switching to virgin olive oils gradually is the best approach. Using 30cc of extra virgin olive oil with meals can support digestion, absorption, and overall nutrition and cancer prevention. Studies, including review and meta-analyses, suggest that olive oil components may play a role in overall health and inflammation regulation, which some researchers are studying in relation to cancer risk.
Monitor Your Progress and Adjust as Needed to Maintain Overall Health
Tracking health markers like inflammation levels (CRP), weight, and energy levels ensures that higher olive oil consumption is beneficial. Validated food frequency questionnaires and post hoc sensitivity analyses in studies suggest that dietary changes impact cancer risk and overall health. Adjusting olive oil intake based on personal needs can make a difference in managing environmental and nutritional factors affecting cancer recovery.
The Role of Olive Oil in My Cancer Recovery
Using extra virgin olive oil as part of my diet helped me manage colon and rectal cancers while improving nutrient absorption, inflammation levels, and energy. Observational studies reviewed by the World Cancer Research Fund suggest a potential association between olive oil consumption and lower cancer risk, though more research is needed.
Incorporating high olive oil consumption into a structured dietary plan may provide benefits, but every cancer journey is unique. Tracking health markers, consulting professionals, and making gradual changes can help determine the best approach for each individual.
References
- Cicerale, S., Lucas, L., & Keast, R. (2010). Biological activities of phenolic compounds present in virgin olive oil. International journal of molecular sciences, 11(2), 458–479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms11020458
- Markellos, C., Ourailidou, M. E., Gavriatopoulou, M., Halvatsiotis, P., Sergentanis, T. N., & Psaltopoulou, T. (2022). Olive oil intake and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 17(1), e0261649. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261649
- Psaltopoulou, T., Kosti, R. I., Haidopoulos, D., Dimopoulos, M., & Panagiotakos, D. B. (2011). Olive oil intake is inversely related to cancer prevalence: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of 13,800 patients and 23,340 controls in 19 observational studies. Lipids in health and disease, 10, 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-10-127
- Pelucchi, C., Bosetti, C., Negri, E., Lipworth, L., & La Vecchia, C. (2011). Olive oil and cancer risk: an update of epidemiological findings through 2010. Current pharmaceutical design, 17(8), 805–812. https://doi.org/10.2174/138161211795428920
- Vissers, M. N., Zock, P. L., & Katan, M. B. (2004). Bioavailability and antioxidant effects of olive oil phenols in humans: a review. European journal of clinical nutrition, 58(6), 955–965. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601917
- Schwingshackl, L., Schwedhelm, C., Galbete, C., & Hoffmann, G. (2017). Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 9(10), 1063. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9101063
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