Effect of ingestion of virgin olive oil on human low-density lipoprotein composition.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the incorporation of oleic acid and antioxidants (phenols and vitamin E) to low density lipoprotein (LDL) after acute and short-term ingestion of virgin olive oil. To study whether this incorporation contributes to an increase in LDL resistance to oxidation.

SETTING

Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Barcelona, Spain and Department of Lipids and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, IMIM, Barcelona, Spain.

SUBJECTS

Sixteen healthy volunteers aged 25-65 y.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS

To observe the change in the fatty acid profile, vitamin E, phenolic compounds and LDL oxidation-related variables after the postprandial phase and after daily ingestion of olive oil for one week.

RESULTS

Few changes were observed in the postprandial phase. However, after a week of olive oil consumption there was an increase in oleic acid (P=0.015), vitamin E (P=0.047), phenolics (P=0.021) and lag time (P=0.000), and a decrease in the maximum amount of dienes (P=0.045) and oxidation rate (P=0.05).

CONCLUSION

After ingestion of virgin olive oil, an increase in antioxidants and oleic acid in LDL was observed as well as an improvement of LDL resistance to oxidation. Our results support the idea that daily ingestion of virgin olive oil could protect LDL from oxidation.

SPONSORSHIP

This study was supported by a research grant from Spain (ALI 97-1607-C02-02).