For three years now, the Olive Wellness Institute has proudly helped promote and disseminate the growing body of health-related evidence for olive products. This podcast is a part of that initiative – where listeners can hear first-hand from a range of international health and nutritional experts discussing the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, olive leaf extract and other products of the olive tree. For this last episode of Season 1, Sarah Gray, General Manager of the Olive Wellness...

We understand how important nutrition and exercise is for keeping ourselves healthy and warding off disease and other ailments. Physician Dr Simon Poole discusses what precisely is good nutrition and what role the medical profession has in providing advice and information to patients. Olive Wellness Institute https://olivewellnessinstitute.org/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The environment around you can have a big impact on your health. Where you eat and what’s happening around you, can affect your mood – and that can affect how much or what you put into your mouth. This episode we hear from Emma Stirling, an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and culinary nutrition professional who is involved in setting up Australia’s first courses in culinary nutrition at ACU. As a passionate promoter of the role of nutritionists and dieticians, she believes cooking...

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to find the right balance between nutritious and delicious cuisine? Catherine Katz and her husband, David, have achieved that with their website, ‘Cuisinicity’. It’s a treasure-trove of Mediterranean-style recipes that are simple, nutritious and achievable for large families and groups of people. Cuisinicity and Catherine’s list of delicious recipes: https://cuisinicity.com/ Olive Wellness Institute (and access to the oil comparison...

With so many different types of oils to prepare and cook food, how do you choose the healthiest? To help decide, the Olive Wellness Institute has developed an easy-to-use oil comparison tool. Jacqui Plozza – Nutrition, Strategy and Education Manager at Olive Wellness Institute – explains the new comparison tool which can be found on the OWI website. Olive Wellness Institute (and access to the oil comparison tool) https://olivewellnessinstitute.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Associate Professor Teresa Mitchell-Paterson explains why she recommends people use olive leaf extract and how its many health benefits differ from those of another olive product: extra virgin olive oil. With more than 25 years in clinic practice, Teresa is an articulate and well sought-after speaker on nutritional factors impacting bowel cancer. "Olive Leaf Extract Immune Potential Webinar" presented by Assoc. Prof. Teresa...

Does the Mediterranean diet affect the inflammation and adiposity of those with coronary heart disease? That's the issue Accredited Practising Dietitian, Dr Hannah Mayer investigated in her PhD, from which she was awarded the 2018 Dieticians Association of Australia New Researcher Award. Today, Hannah leads a project focused on implementing the Mediterranean diet into routine care for people with chronic disease at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Hannah is also Lecturer in the...

Dr Richard Cantrill has championed the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil for years. And he'd know: he's world renowned as an expert in analytical methods of analysis for fats and oils. Richard has completed research in cell biology, neuroscience and molecular biology, notably on 'cytotoxic polyunsaturated fatty acids'. He also works in standardization and methods harmonization with ISO and intergovernmental agencies such as Codex Alimentarius. Olive Wellness...

Can you tell a bad olive oil from a good one? Like any food, there's a certain pungency to the aroma of "off" olive oil and that of course affects the way it tastes and its nutritional benefits. Claudia Guillaume has extensive experience in sensory evaluation of olive oil and olive products. Originally from Argentina, Claudia Guillaume came to Australia in 2006 to head up Modern Olives Laboratory. Major players in the olive industry turn to the team at Modern Olives for help in project...

Couples looking to conceive would benefit immensely from a Mediterranean diet; it also helps to ensure the good health of mother and baby in the months following conception. That's according to nutritionist, Stefanie Valakas, a leading women's health and fertility dietitian who helps couples struggling with trying to conceive. Stefanie's practice and consultancy firm, the Dietologist, is based in Sydney, from where she has an online following of thousands of women across the world. Stefanie...

Not only is it healthy, but fresh extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) can enhance the taste and aroma of many different kinds of dishes – from salads to cooked meat and vegetables, or as a substitute to butter on toast. Professor Russell Keast has researched oleocanthal – a natural compound found in EVOO – responsible for the burning sensation at the back of the throat when you swallow it. Oleocanthal has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can help alleviate heart...

Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) is a lesser known by-product of the olive tree, but offers a wide variety of health benefits for those who consume it. Recent studies of antioxidants in OLE, for example, have shown how they reduce unhealthy fat oxidation in the body, says Ian Breakspear. Ian is a clinical herbalist and naturopath, and senior lecturer at Endeavour College of Natural Health in Sydney. He explains the potency of OLE as an antioxidant and research he's been conducting with the Olive...

As olives, extra virgin olive oil and other products of the olive tree become more prominent in people's diets, how sustainable are they and what effect do they have on the land? To answer that we turn to world-renowned researcher in the olive industry, Leandro Ravetti. Graduating as an Agricultural Engineer in Argentina, Leandro worked for the National Institute of Agricultural Technology in olive production research. In 2001, Leandro moved to Australia where he is a highly respected adviser...

Not only does the Mediterranean diet and extra virgin olive oil help alleviate health problems – like diabetes or fatty liver – people who consume them feel better, their skin looks better and they have a lot more energy. That's according to Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, who's a world-renowned leader in dietetics and the Mediterranean diet. Catherine shares her research around the potential benefits of EVOO and how to incorporate it into your daily lifestyle. Olive Wellness...

The world is reeling from a coronavirus pandemic. Not a day goes by without an increase in the numbers of people diagnosed with COVID-19, which is overwhelming health services and threatening the frail and elderly. From his home in Cambridge, England, physician Dr Simon Poole is in the midst of strict measures enforced by the British government. Author of The Olive Oil Diet, Simon says now is a particularly important time to look after oneself, by eating well, staying fit and maintaining...

Elise Den and Lauren Atkins are acutely aware of the immense value that food and nutrition can play as therapy. With a particular interest oncology, they're both accredited nutritionists and practising dieticians, and co-founders of OnCore Nutrition clinics located in Melbourne. They're passionate about improving the quality of life of their patients by using food as a medicine. Locally sourced green, leafy vegetables and extra virgin olive oil – hallmarks of the Mediterranean diet – are some...

Not all cooking oils are equal. The standout is extra virgin olive oil with health benefits that override most other oils including the lesser quality "plain" olive oil. Nutrition scientist and dietician, Dr Joanna McMillan, sets straight some of the stickiest urban myths about what you can do with extra virgin olive oil.

If the number of male dietitians is any guide, men's health probably doesn't get the attention it deserves. Someone who wants to change that is Melbourne-based dietitian and nutritionist, Joel Feren, also known as The Nutrition Guy. He says men face different health issues to women. For instance, they're more susceptible to heart and lung disease, diabetes and suicide.  The issues can be complex, but from a dietary point of view, too much saturated fat, salt, and sugary drinks, and inadequate...

Born on the island of Cyprus, Dr Tassos Kyrikiades fondly remembers meal times spent with family sitting around the table, eating locally grown foods, prepared with generous splashes of olive oil. That's a world away from his current home in New York where he's established the Yale Olive Institute. Dr Kyrikiades explores the health benefits and exciting tastes of extra virgin olive oil and a plant-based diet.

Because of lifestyle and dietary choices, an increasing number of people are developing Type 2 diabetes. Recent research points to the benefits of consuming extra virgin olive oil with a Mediterranean diet for those with diabetes. Nutrition scientist and dietician, Dr Joanna McMillan, explains how properties, like low GI, in extra virgin olive oil help combat diabetes, and promote other health benefits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know we should eat more vegetables – it's a message that's been drummed into all of us since primary school. But what does that actually mean? How much should we eat? How do we cook them? Should we cook them? What oils should we use? "Culinary nutrition" is an increasingly popular field of study that helps bring dietary recommendations to life – and allows people to know exactly what they should do with their food to make it fun and interesting. Accredited practicing dietitian, Jacqui...

Olive oil is at the heart of the Mediterranean diet A growing library of research backs up the health benefits of an olive oil-based diet, according to British physician Dr Simon Poole. Dr Poole is an internationally renowned authority on the science and application of the Mediterranean diet and co-author of The Olive Oil Diet: Nutritional Secrets of the Original Superfood. He explains why he sees olive oil as the heart of the Mediterranean diet and how to choose a high-quality extra virgin...

A healthy body and mind is achieved from a range of factors including what you eat, the quality of your sleep, your environment and the exercise you take. This holistic approach to healthy living is the rationale behind lifestyle medicine, a discipline which is championed by Shivaun Conn, Vice President of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. She discusses lifestyle medicine in detail and how extra virgin olive oil and how a Mediterranean diet are key ingredients to good...

There's little doubt that extra virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract have huge health and nutritional benefits – the evidence is in. But, what other properties does the olive tree have that are good for your health? Olive Wellness Institute's Sarah Gray details the qualities of nature's very own super plant.