Olive oil for age-related bone loss and osteoporosis

Yet another reason to consume olive oil was presented in a paper just published in the journal Osteoporosis International. The authors observe...

"Age-related bone loss is associated with osteoblast [cells that build up bone] insufficiency during continuous bone remodeling. It has been suggested that the formation of osteoblasts in bone marrow is closely associated with adipogenesis [production of fat], and age-related changes in this relationship could be responsible for the progressive adiposity of bone marrow which occurs with osteoporosis. In addition, the consumption of oleuropein, a major polyphenol in olive leaves and olive oil, has been associated with a reduction in bone loss."

They examined the effects of oleuropein on the processes of osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human bone marrow. What did they find?

"The results show an increase in osteoblast differentiation and a decrease in adipocyte differentiation when there is oleuropein in the culture media. The gene expression of osteoblastogenesis markers...was higher in osteoblast-induced oleuropein-treated cells....Oleuropein in MSCs induced adipocytes to produce a decrease in the expression of the genes involved in adipogenesis..."

In other words, oleuropein in olive oil appears to be a 'genetic response modifier' that promotes healthy bone build-up while inhibiting fat formation. The authors conclude:

"Our data suggest that oleuropein, highly abundant in olive tree products included in the traditional Mediterranean diet, could prevent age-related bone loss and osteoporosis."