Both extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil may benefit overweight patients with depression. - GreenMedInfo Summary
The effect of extra virgin olive oil on anthropometric indices, lipid profile, and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with depression, a double-blind randomised controlled trial.
Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Apr 21:e14254. Epub 2021 Apr 21. PMID: 33884713
Sahar Foshati
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence suggests a mutual association between depression and obesity and also an anti-obesity effect for olive oil. We examined the effect of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on weight, waist circumference, and a number of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with depression.
METHODS: The randomised double-blind controlled trial was conducted on 62 patients with depression. Patients were randomly allocated to EVOO and sunflower oil groups (n = 31 for each) that consumed 25 mL/day of the corresponding oils for 52 days. An isocaloric diet was prescribed to each patient according to his/her previous energy intake with considering the energy provided by the administered oils. Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood lipids, malondialdehyde, and hs-C reactive protein (CRP) analysis were performed using the intention-to-treat approach.
RESULTS: BMI was significantly decreased in sunflower oil group (-0.20 ± 0.53 kg/m, P = .047) and waist circumference was significantly decreased in EVOO group (-2.15 ± 2.09 cm, P < .001); however, only reduction of waist circumference was significantly different between groups (P < .001). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly increased in EVOO group (3.02 ± 6.79 mg/dL, P = .03), without showing a significant between-group difference. Other lipids, malondialdehyde, and hs-CRP did not change.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the results suggest that both EVOO and sunflower oil may benefit overweight patients with depression, as they respectively decreased waist circumference and BMI without need for administration of a low-calorie diet.