Olive oil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

With so many health experts heralding different advice as to what’s good for you and what isn’t, it can be hard to decipher the truth.

Olive oil is so commonly believed to be good for you because of its revered place in the Mediterranean diet – a diet which is renowned for being a healthy one.

But does that actually make it good for you? Or is it just another food type to be tossed into the ongoing healthy versus unhealthy conversation?

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet consists mostly of vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts and whole grains. It’s considered to be healthy not only because of what it includes, but also because of what it doesn’t include: refined sugars and grains, as well as various processed foods and meats.

When people talk about the Mediterranean diet, they fail to mention that it consists of about 1 tbsp of olive oil per day. Unlike a typical Australian diet, where we might be consuming as much as 1 tbsp per meal.

Because the Mediterranean diet is well balanced and typically contains only healthy whole foods, the foods within it – including olive oil – tend to get the tick of approval. But olive oil is not as healthy as you might think.

Olive oil is unhealthy for your heart

Oil is heavily processed. To transition from an olive to an oil, olives have to be processed in such a way that their physical shape and appearance is completely broken down and liquified.

When food is highly processed, like chocolate bars or fast food burger buns, we know that it is bad for us because it has moved too far from its original, whole state.

When we look at olive oil through the same lens, we can see that it, too, transforms significantly from its original state. As a whole food, olives eaten in moderation are good for you. But as a highly processed oil? Not so much.

A monounsaturated fat

Monounsaturated fats have long been known as healthy fats. This is because they differ from saturated fats, which can be found in dairy products, certain kinds of oils, animal meats and processed snacks.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, and while monounsaturated fats are promoted as being better for you than saturated (and trans) fats, it still doesn’t mean that they’re healthy. It just means that both are fats, and one is slightly better for you than the other. Slightly.

Studies have shown that olive oil, though better for you than many other oils, could still lead to diseased arteries. Consumption of the oil has also been linked to increased atheroslerotic plaque build-up, a common cause of heart disease.

Olive Oil = BAD

Olive oil is a fat, and too much fat isn’t good for you. After being heavily processed, it also becomes nutrient deficient, and the best advice we can give you is to steer entirely clear of it.

There are many healthy and delicious meals that can be cooked without olive oil. You can still stir-fry, steam, bake, boil and roast all of your favourite foods without oil, and your heart will be much happier for it.

Are you in need of a liver cleanse?

The liver has the important job of removing toxins from the body. If you feel that this detoxifying organ isn’t functioning right in your body, it could mean that it’s time for a liver cleanse.

But how do you know whether your liver is doing the job it’s supposed to? And how can you be sure that what you need is a liver cleanse?

Luckily for you, when your liver needs help, it will let you know. Below are some key symptoms for you to look out for if you think that your liver needs a little love.

Bloating and gas

If you are experiencing digestive problems, you may be feeling painful cramps in your gut that lead to excessive gas. Couple that with constipation or diarrhoea, and you could be looking at a liver plied with too many toxins.

When you eat food that your liver doesn’t like, your gut suffers. Your liver loves healthy, colourful fruits and vegetables, but when allergies or a poor diet come into the mix, your liver won’t be able to do its job and you’ll be left feeling painfully bloated and gassy.

Hormone imbalance

Not only does your liver get rid of toxins, but it also helps to keep your hormones in balance. As the liver processes and excretes toxins, it also works to break down excess hormones and remove them from your body.

If you find that your moods are a little (or a lot!) out of whack, it could be a matter of treating yourself to a liver cleanse. Calm the body and you’ll calm the mind!

Fatigue

Are you tired all the time? With a poorly functioning liver, you would be. When your liver isn’t working right, it can leave you feeling fatigued, foggy, confused and moody – all because it isn’t being given the nutrients it needs to do its job.

Bad skin

Acne – whether recent or longstanding – is often linked to problems in the liver or gut (or both!). When your liver is being barraged with too many hormones, it can lead to skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Too many hormones in your liver are usually due to a poor diet. Eating inflammatory or sugary foods is a surefire way to leave your liver with excess hormones to deposit on your skin – in one way or another.

Dark urine

While dark urine is most commonly attributed to dehydration, when it comes with yellow skin, it could mean jaundice. Jaundice occurs when you have too much bilirubin, a yellowish substance, in your blood.

Found in red blood cells, bilirubin is usually broken down and filtered from your body by the liver. However, if your liver is out of action, it can lead to a buildup of bilirubin and a resulting case of jaundice.

Joint pain

If you are suffering from aching muscles and joints, it could be that your liver is seriously hurting. Joint pain is one of the key indicators that you could be on the way to a fatty liver disease diagnosis.

When your liver isn’t being properly cared for, it can become inflamed. This inflammation can also affect other parts of your body, which means that even though your liver is the source, you may feel as though your whole body is aching.

White-coated tongue

Your tongue is an impressive indicator of gut health, and it has more functions than you might think. If your tongue is white-coated, it can mean that your liver isn’t working properly, there’s a surplus of bad bacteria in your bowel, or your digestive system is struggling.

Whatever the reason, your tongue will tell you if something is wrong. When it’s coated white, a liver cleanse might be the solution you need to get it back to pink.

Give your liver a much-needed vacation with a liver cleanse

Your liver is an incredible organ that works hard every day to keep you at optimal health. If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms, it could very well be time for a liver cleanse.

Drink lots of water, eat a plant-based diet, opt for whole foods high in antioxidants, consume some cruciferous vegetables and cut out the crap (e.g. refined sugar, fried food, alcohol, caffeine etc). Your liver will love you for it.

Heal your liver with our Flourish health program: The Cleanse