Olive oil is a natural, but healthy, fat extracted from the fruit of olive trees. It has been used for thousands of years as a staple of Mediterranean diets and is revered for its many health benefits.

Heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and some cancers are included on a long list of serious conditions that can be prevented or improved through an olive oil rich diet, according to oliveoiltimes.com "Replace other fats like butter with at least two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil every day, eat lots of veggies and go for a walk," the site advises.

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Beyond its many cooking benefits, olive oil is also an important ingredient for hair, skin, and beauty aids. The oil contains moisturizing properties that help make hair look healthier, stronger, and shinier, according to livestrong.com.

When combined with lemon juice, olive oil is also an effective treatment for problem dandruff. The acid in the lemon juice loosens dandruff while the olive oil treats the new layer of skin. Livestrong recommends mixing "equal amounts of olive oil, lemon juice and water — a few tablespoons of each should suffice. Massage into damp scalp, leave on for 20 minutes, rinse, and shampoo. Use this flake-fighting treatment no more than every other week."

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Besides healing a dry scalp, olive oil can be used to stimulate follicle growth, according to newhealthguide.org. It can be a deep conditioning agent, which can lead to a healthier scalp and more hair. Benefits listed include preventing the production of the DTH hormone known for causing hair loss, and improving blood circulation in the scalp to stimulate the follicles and produce fuller strands.

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