Olive oil more effective than medical gel for arthritis

Posted on Sun, 26 Aug 12

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