Molecular Aspects of Squalene and Implications for Olive Oil and the Mediterranean Diet

摘要: Virgin olive oil is considered a key component of the Mediterranean diet, being main source dietary lipids. Squalene terpenoid hydrocarbon found at high concentration in virgin oils; it represents their minor component. Thus squalene naturally occurring lipid consumed by humans as an integral part healthy diet. It recognized functional compound importance because its beneficial effects on human health. could be partially responsible to health benefits attributed oil. has several properties: natural antioxidant, decreases serum cholesterol concentrations, and possesses photoprotective, tumor-protective, cardioprotective properties. Consequently, adequate intake provides continuous supply squalene, which remarkable bioactive substance with interesting biological activities, might sufficient achieve described above.