Can olive oil lower the risk of developing arthritis?

A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients showed that people who consumed 6 grams a day of olive oil in capsule form experienced a significant improvement in their arthritis symptoms after six months. Many of the participants who consumed olive oil were able to reduce their nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) use. Other studies also found a correlation between increased olive oil consumption and a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Because of the inflammatory component that exists in osteoarthritis, it is reasonable and perhaps likely that an anti-inflammatory diet including olive oil could decrease the severity of osteoarthritis symptoms and disease progression.