Olive Oil

🫒 What is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from olives, a fruit native to the Mediterranean region. Renowned for its health benefits, it’s rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It’s widely used in cooking, dressings, and skincare.

🤔 Why Might a Sensitivity to Olive Oil Occur?

A sensitivity to olive oil may happen for several reasons:

Trace Proteins from Olives:
Small amounts of olive proteins may remain in cold-pressed oils, which may trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Histamine Content:
Extra virgin olive oil may contain natural compounds that may contribute to histamine-related symptoms such as headaches, digestive discomfort, or skin irritation.

Difficulty Digesting Fats:
Since olive oil is nearly pure fat, it may be harder to process for individuals with low bile output or limited digestive enzyme activity.

Processing Residues:
Some commercially refined olive oils may contain additives or contaminants that may irritate sensitive systems.

🛠️ What May Help?

• Avoid olive oil for 8 weeks to allow your system to reset and monitor symptom changes.

• Retest after 8 weeks by gradually reintroducing it in small amounts.

• Replace olive oil with tolerated fats such as avocado oil or coconut oil.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

Digestive Enzymes with Lipase:
Support fat breakdown and may reduce discomfort after consuming oils.

Probiotics:
Help maintain gut balance and may improve tolerance to various dietary fats.

Ox Bile Supplements:
Support bile availability for fat digestion, especially useful if high-fat foods tend to cause discomfort.

🌟 Why Might a Sensitivity to Olive Oil Occur but Not Olives or Other Oils?

A few factors may explain this difference:

• Protein Residues:
  Olive oil may concentrate specific compounds that are present in much smaller amounts in whole olives.

• Histamine Differences:
  Extra virgin and unfiltered olive oils may contain higher levels of natural histamine-related compounds compared to olives or refined oils.

• Fat Concentration:
  Olive oil is almost entirely fat, while whole olives contain water and fiber that help ease digestion.

• Processing Methods:
  Cold-pressed olive oils retain more natural compounds, whereas refined oils—like certain vegetable or seed oils—have different profiles that may be less reactive.

🍽️ Popular Dishes Containing Olive Oil

• Salad dressings and marinades

• Mediterranean roasted vegetables

• Dipping sauces with herbs and spices

🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

• Avocado oil

• Coconut oil

• Flaxseed oil

• Grapeseed oil