Olive oil has been used for centuries for both topical and external application.  This amazing oil was prized among middle eastern cultures due to its amazing health promoting properties.  In fact, the whole olive tree is very medicinal. In fact, the bark, leaves, and fruit can all be used as both food and medicine.

However, is olive oil good for those dealing with candida overgrowth? Or should this superfood be avoided by those battling with problematic candida in body?

In our experience, olive oil makes a great addition to the diet of those dealing with candida overgrowth.  There are several different benefits this oil offers for those dealing with this pathogenic fungus.

That being said, there are also some precautions that should be taken by anyone thinking about introducing this powerful oil into their diet.

Luckily, we plan to give you a completely unbiased synopsis of the both the potential health benefits and downfalls of using olive oil.  By the end of this post, you will have a better idea as to whether olive oil is right for you!

Olive Oil – Powerful Anti-Fungal

There’s no denying that olive oil contains powerful anti-fungal properties.  In fact, this oil was used medicinally for centuries in order to help treat various pathogenic infections both in and on the body.

Research showed that both a combination of olive oil and cinnamon oil created sensitivity in candida and helped to inhibit its growth (1).  As a result, using both olive oil and cinnamon internally can help to combat the growth of candida in the body. 

Olive oil also has advantages when used topically.  It can be great for naturally treating inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and eczema and can be great for keeping the skin soft and supple.  This is mainly due to the antimicrobial properties present in olive oil.  However, the use of olive oil for treating skin conditions has been known among various cultures for thousands of years.

That being said, simply drizzling a tablespoon of olive oil into all of your anti-candida meals can be a great strategy for preventing any further growth of this pathogenic fungus.

Great Source of The Omega 3 ALA

Olive oil is a great source of the omega 3 Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA).  This omega 3 is present in most plants foods and is one of the three omega 3’s.  The other omega 3’s, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), only occur in animal foods.  However, there are many benefits associated with consuming ALA rich foods.

In particular, food high in ALA can help combat against inflammatory conditions in the body and can help lower the risk factor of developing cardiovascular disease and seems to be beneficial for hemodialysis patients (2).

Furthermore, research has shown that ALA has a strong anti-oxidant effect in the body and can help decrease inflammatory markers in the body (3).

Those suffering with candida overgrowth often times have high amounts of chronic inflammation in the body.  This is mainly due to the high amounts of toxins that are released by this pathogenic fungus.  Luckily, extra virgin olive oil is one of the best sources of this powerful anti-inflammatory omega 3. 

Incorporating olive oil daily into your diet is a great way to naturally protect the body against inflammatory conditions!

High in Antioxidants

Olive oil is a great source of free radical fighting antioxidants.  For those unaware, free radicals contribute to premature aging and cell death in the body.  Unfortunately, due to the modern world, the body deals with extremely high amounts of free radicals daily.

It’s for this reason that getting enough antioxidants in daily is essential for optimal health.  Also, those dealing with candida overgrowth will naturally need more antioxidants in order to help protect the body from damage which can be caused by this pathogenic fungal overgrowth.  In fact, our Crush Candida Cookbook contains anti-oxidant rich meals that can be great for those with candida!

In particular, olive oil is rich in the antioxidants vitamin E and phenolic compounds such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein.  These anti-oxidants are extremely powerful and have been shown to have several different beneficial actions in the body.

In fact, many experts will make the claim that vitamin E is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants in the world.  Research shows that this powerful antioxidant can protect against both oxidative stress, inflammation, and has shown promising results in helping prevent conditions such as cardiovascular disease (4).

Unfortunately, this antioxidant seems to have no effect on inhibiting the growth of candida (5).  However, its anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial for those dealing with candida overgrowth.

That being said, the antioxidant oleuropein, has demonstrated potent anti-fungal activity in the body.  One study showed that oleuropein helped to inhibit the growth of candida and helped to stop the production of cellular enzymes produced by this pathogenic fungus (6).

Helps to Degrade Histamine

Those suffering with candida overgrowth, typically have some form of histamine intolerance.  This is because candida can stimulate mast cells in the gut (7).  As a result, those with candida overgrowth oftentimes suffer from an overabundance of histamine in the body.

Unfortunately, this can lead to various foods allergies and sensitivities to foods that are high in histamine.  Luckily, olive oil can naturally increase the production of the Diamine Oxidase enzyme (DAO) in the body due to its naturally high levels of oleic acid (8).  For those unaware, DAO helps to degrade histamine in the body which can naturally lower levels overtime.

If you think you may have developed a histamine intolerance due to candida overgrowth, olive oil may be a useful food to incorporate into your diet.  As with anything, more does not necessarily mean better; a small amount of olive oil goes a long way!

Fake Olive Oils on The Market

It’s sad, but the truth is it’s hard to tell anymore if you’re olive oil is real.  It’s well known in the olive oil industry that most oils are either fake or cut with a look-a-like oil.  Fortunately, stricter laws and authentication methods have been put in place to try and protect the consumer.  Yet, due to the mass amount volume being produced daily, it can be hard to keep track of it all.

As a result, it’s imperative that you always buy olive oil from a trusted brand.  Although it may be a bit more expensive, we personally find that all of Bragg’s products are of the utmost quality and they seem to produce a very good and authentic olive oil.  That said, always make sure that your oil is organic and preferably in a dark glass bottle.

Olive oil can oxidize quickly in the sun which can cause the oil to go rancid.  Because of this, you will always want to choose a oil that comes in a dark glass bottle.

High in Salicylates

Salicylates are a class of plant anti-nutrients that some individuals are extremely sensitive to (9).  Intolerance’s to this anti-nutrient can cause the following symptoms below.

• Digestive Distress
• Stomach Cramping
• Hyperactivity
• Trouble Focusing
• Diarrhea
• Ringing in Ears
• Brain Fog

These are just some of the symptoms related to salicylate sensitivity.  However, depending on the individual, symptoms can vary.  Also, for those unaware, salicylates are how aspirin is made.  So if you’re sensitive to aspirin, there is a good chance you may find yourself reacting poorly to high salicylate foods.

That all being said, olive oil is a rich source of salicylates.  For this reason, if you know you have an intolerance to salicylates, it’s highly recommended that you use caution if you plan on using olive oil.

Goes Rancid at High Heat

When Olive Oil is heated at high temperatures, it naturally begins to degrade and oxidize.  Unfortunately, when this occurs, toxic byproducts can be formed in the oil which can have an overall negative effect on health.

If you’re going to use olive oil, we highly recommend you do not cook with it.  Also, always look for olive oils that have been cold pressed.  This ensures that the oil was not subjected to high heat during the pressing process.

Conclusion – Should You use Olive Oil?

Based on the information above, you should now have a better understanding if olive oil is right for you.  The evidence is clear that this oil has powerful anti-fungal properties which can help combat candida overgrowth.  Yet, due to individual sensitives, olive oil may not be the best choice.

Also, for those interested, feel free to check out our free Candida Diet Protocol Page which lays out a clear eating strategy to follow if you suffer from candida overgrowth!