A recent study suggests that extra virgin olive oil, a staple in many healthy diets, may reduce the level of harmful tau proteins. The findings of the study, which appeared in the journal Aging Cell, may benefit people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, wherein tau and amyloid beta proteins reach abnormal levels and interfere with important brain functions.

In their report, scientists at Temple University noted that many studies have focused on extra virgin olive oil and its effects on amyloid beta protein. By comparison, only a few studies are available when it comes to how extra virgin olive oil impacts tau proteins.

Using a mice model, the team found that supplementing the mice with extra virgin olive oil resulted in reduced tau oligomers and phosphorylated tau. To note, tau oligomers are considered toxic components of tau protein. Meanwhile, elevated levels of phosphorylated tau contribute to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Compared to mice that did not receive the extra virgin olive oil supplementation, those treated with extra virgin olive oil had fewer tau protein deposits in their brain. In addition, the mice showed improved working memory, spatial learning, basal synaptic activity and short-term plasticity. They also observed increased levels of a key presynaptic protein — complexin 1.

“Collectively, our findings represent a significant step forward in the in vivo research effort on the biological effect of extra virgin olive oil on tau pathology and synaptic function,” the team wrote. “They provide strong preclinical evidence in support of the novel concept that extra virgin olive oil should be considered as a potential and viable multi?targeting agent not only for Alzheimer’s disease but also for primary tauopathies.”

Tauopathies refer to neurofibrillary tangles formed by aggregates of tau protein – a known contributor to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. The team noted that the positive impact of extra virgin olive oil on tau proteins would not only benefit those with Alzheimer’s but also those who are suffering from other types of dementia.

For the study, the researchers used mice that have been genetically programmed to develop excessive tau proteins. After reaching six months, some rats were fed a chow diet supplemented for another six months. The mice were then assessed using Y-maze, Morris water maze, novel object recognition test and electrophysiology studies. The mice that were supplemented with extra virgin olive oil demonstrated better improvement than those in the control group.

Benefits of extra virgin olive oil on brain function

Previous studies have also shown that extra virgin olive oil can benefit brain function. Researchers from Spain have found that the Mediterranean diet, which heavily uses extra virgin olive oil, may reduce the risk of developing depression.

The study involved more than 10,000 healthy Spanish participants, who were followed up after four years from the time they were enrolled in the study. During follow-up, the team only recorded 480 new cases of depression. According to the researchers, the subjects who strictly followed the dietary pattern had a reduced risk of developing depression.

Regular consumption of olive oil, which is one of the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, may explain why the diet reduced the risk of depression. This is because the antioxidant properties of olive oil help maintain the physiochemical properties of neuronal membranes.

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols that contribute to the oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition, it is a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which lower a person’s bad cholesterol levels. Thus, extra virgin olive oil is one of the essential parts of a Mediterranean diet.

Visit Alzheimers.news to be updated about the recent studies regarding Alzheimer’s disease.

Sources:

MedicalNewsToday.com

OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com

FrontiersIn.org 1

FrontiersIn.org 2

JAMANetwork.com

ScienceDirect.com

MayoClinic.org