Six years ago, Athan Gadanidis left Canada and went home to Greece to find the best olive oil for health.
Inspired by the research of University of Athens professors Dr. Prokopios Magiatis and Dr. Eleni Melliou into the health benefits of phenolic compounds in olive oil, Gadanidis began writing for Olive Oil Times.
Gadanidis had told Dr. Magiatis that they needed a human subject to test the benefits of olive oil in treating prostate cancer.
Ironically, he would be that subject himself.
Diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2018, Gadanidis has all but rejected traditional treatment, which he calls “chemical castration.” While he has had two emergency anti-androgen injections, he otherwise remains committed to natural treatment — and to promoting the cancer-fighting properties of olive oil.
In particular, Gadanidis wants to further researchers’ understanding of oleocanthal, a phenolic compound found in olive oil with tremendous medicinal and healing potential.
To that end, Gadanidis is working with Dr. Magiatis and Dr. Melliou as the main subject of their pilot study to assess the effectiveness of oleocanthal and other phenolic compounds derived from olive oil in treating prostate cancer.
Fundraising Campaign: Human Pilot Study for New Cancer Treatment
Gadanidis and his partner Marilyn Harding have launched a fundraising campaign to finance the pilot study, which they hope will promote a more natural and humane treatment for prostate cancer.
Click here to see the fundraising campaign
In addition to Gadanidis, the pilot will invite other volunteers (under doctor’s agreement and supervision) to test oleocanthal-rich olive oil and its effect on prostate health and inflammation. Each volunteer will receive a free three-month supply of olive oil.
Since diagnosis, Gadanidis has been taking large doses of oleocanthal-rich olive oil with unusually effective results in reduced PSA and prostate enlargement, commented upon by doctors as an “unusually positive response” to anti-androgen injections.
About Oleocanthal-Rich Olive Oil
Made from early harvest green olives, this type of oil is well known by many Greeks as “agoureleo.” Hippocrates and Dioscorides referred to it as “medicinal.” It has a distinctive peppery sensation at the back of the throat which indicates the presence of oleocanthal.
Oleocanthal has been researched since 2005 when its extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties were discovered by Dr. Gary Beachamp who noticed the peppery effect was identical to ibuprofen. Since then clinical trials in countries around the world are studying its potential in preventing or treating cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases and many cancers.
At the University of Athens, Dr. Magiatis and Dr. Melliou together created the first university lab which analyzes health benefits of olive oil through nuclear magnetic resonance — an analytical chemistry technique that evaluates the content, purity and molecular structure of a sample.
Along with other academics from around the world, the two researchers founded the World Olive Center, an Athens-based non-profit dedicated to researching and educating about the health benefits of olive oil.
Olive Oil, EU Health Claims
In 2012, the European Union declared that olive oils with polyphenols of at least 250mg/kg could qualify for health claims, which are claims placed on food products that reduce the risk of developing a disease or condition.
In Greece, large olive oil companies and politicians have resisted putting health claims on olive oil because they argue that it is a basic element of Mediterranean cuisine — not a drug.
Since moving back to Greece in 2012, Gadanidis has been championing the high phenolic category of olive oil against said companies and politicians. He has been outspoken in calling out anyone who is against the health claim and the science and he is committed to giving people the information they need to make conscious choices in olive oils they can trust for health.
Whether oleocanthal is the silver bullet for Gadanidis’ cancer remains to be seen, but he is certain that his example and experience will yield some results to be used when designing future clinical trials with more human volunteers.
Gadanidis admits that he is rocking the boat and is equally loved and hated depending on what side people are on.
In His Own Words: Gadanidis’ Story
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6 comments
We massage Koroneiki (high oleocanthal content) in once every 10 days all over. We let it stay on and soak into the skin all day to try to get as much unmetabolized into the blood and lymph systems as possible in order to try to replicate lab results noted in Breslin’s study of February 2015 at Rutgers college. That study may very well be a large factor in why we are cancer free after a 2013 diagnosis of stage 4 endometrial serous type II. She also endure 2 multi week chemo rounds of Carbo Taxol. We did not read the Rutgers study til after the cancer returned in 2014 and the second round was already scheduled. I am a strong supporter of this stuff and am constantly watching the results shown in any relevant studies.
Wow that is amazing. I will check it out with some research scientists I am in contact with to see if they know at what rate the polyphenols are absorbed through the skin and how they are metabolized in the blood stream. The ancient Hellenes used to mix red wine and early harvest olive oil for massaging the Olympian athletes. Perhaps the alcohol content of the wine increased the absorption rate.
all the best Athan
Are there any human trails going on in the USA using Oleocanthal treatment for curing cancer in October 2020?
Sorry for the late reply. No it was a one time thing. It will take a lot of money to go to the next level of clinical trial with more human volunteers. Results were inconclusive. I ran out of money and could not conduct all the testing required to substantiate any positive effect but there was no harm done.
My PSA count was 4.47 in November. So they started looking into the reason after MRIs and Biopsies they determain I had an enlarged prostate and Group 2 cancer. In November I started eating olives with olive oil on a daily use after doing some reading. Now 4 months I am looking at surgery so they did another PSA test and found my Score is now 3.29. Not sure if the Olives along with Vit C supplement are the reasons ,but it would be nice to know.
Hello John, There are a lot of reasons that cause variations of PSA levels. One laboratory from the next can have a variable of up to 10% I have found. My PSA is very low but that is an anomaly and not due to my consumption of High Phenolic EVOO. In my case it is actually a marker for a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. Phenolic compounds do have an anti inflammatory effect so if your prostate was inflamed the reduction in inflammation could cause lower PSA. Men have reported this effect. But it does not mean the cancer cells are going away. What I have found in my experience is that it may slow down the spread by making the ADT injections more effective and long lasting, but this needs. a lot more research. Just my experience. I have been living now with metastatic prostate cancer with very few side effects from the necessary ADT injections which I only do intermittently. That is the only therapy I have used and I accept it because when I stop my prostate grows very fast and interferes with my ability to urinate. Drives my doctors crazy but that is my choice. I prefer quality of life more than quantity. I continue to consume over 50mg of oleocanthal a day in olive oil or in extracts. When caught early it can be treated effectively and even “cured” by surgery. Wish you all the best. Athan