Most people are aware that obesity is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. Of course, if your aging relative is overweight, one of the best ways they can protect their heart health is losing weight. However, there are lots of other things they can also do to keep their heart as healthy as possible. A new study suggests that eating olive oil might be one of them.
About the Olive Oil Study
Olive oil is one of the key components of a Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the healthiest diets in terms of heart health. Studies have shown that following a Mediterranean diet reduces the chances of having a stroke or developing heart disease. This latest study involving olive oil suggests a reason why.
The study involved 63 adult participants, all of whom were obese. The participants gave blood samples that researchers tested to see how they would react to a substance that causes blood to clot. They found that the participants who ate olive oil at least one time per week had less platelet activity, meaning their blood did not form clots as easily. As a result, their blood might form dangerous clots that lead to strokes and heart attack.
Choosing Healthy Fats
The olive oil study doesn’t prove a cause and effect relationship between olive oil and stroke or heart disease prevention. However, it does highlight the importance of choosing healthy fats. However, your aging relative may not know which fats are healthy and which are not.
Unhealthy fats include:
- Trans Fats: The majority of trans fats are created through a process called partial hydrogenation. They are unhealthy because they increase total cholesterol, raise bad cholesterol, and lower good cholesterol.
- Saturated Fat: Saturated fat is found in animal products, like meat and full-fat dairy. They raise both good and bad cholesterol levels.
Healthy fats include:
- Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: Replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats improves good and bad cholesterol levels, decreasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: This kind of fat occurs in many kinds of foods and oils. It also improves cholesterol levels when eaten in place of saturated fats.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: This kind of fat is thought to be especially good for the heart. It is found in certain kinds of fatty fish.
Senior care can help your aging relative to improve their heart health through diet. Senior care providers can assist with planning balanced meals and take the older adult grocery shopping. Senior care providers can also prepare dinners and snacks using healthy fats and other heart-healthy ingredients.
If you or an aging loved one needs Senior Care in Roseville, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20190307/could-olive-oil-help-the-obese-fend-off-strokes#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fat/art-20045550
- Four Key Steps to Better Self-Care for Your Aging Loved One - November 13, 2024
- Know the Symptoms of Pneumonia - November 7, 2024
- Nighttime Delirium Symptoms and Home Treatment - October 29, 2024
