What is Olive Leaf Extract?

The Olive tree is native to Mediterranean regions1. Its leaves are elongated dusky green on top and silvery

underneath in addition to its green to blue-black fruit that produces a nutritionally dense oil. The oil is symbolic of purity and goodness, while the olive branch represents peace and prosperity. Olive leaf extract contains a variety of phenolic compounds that include oleuropein , hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, rutin, luteolin, catechin and apigenin, in addition to nutrients such as selenium, chromium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, beta-carotene and a number of amino acids. A decoction of olive leaf was reported in 1843 to treat malaria and fevers and more recently, olive leaf was reported to exhibit powerful anti-microbial properties against viruses, bacteria, yeasts and parasites.

What does Olive leaf do?

Olive leaf is an ANTI-OXIDANT -

An in-vivo study confirmed that the metabolised form of hydroxytyrosol (glucoronidated hydroxytyrosol) may be up to 5 times as potent against free radical scavengers that the parent form (hydroxytyrosol).

A small study using pre and post-menopausal women supplemented with 250mg of olive leaf reported oleuropein, oleuropein derivatives and a small amount of hydroxytyrosol had the greatest presence in plasma and urine in the 24 hours post intervention. It was found that the maximum plasma concentrations of the olive leaf polyphenols were greater in the postmenopausal women.

The same authors stated that postmenopausal women have a low anti-oxidant status and that correlated with low bone mass. They stated that oleuropein has been found to enhance the deposition of calcium ions in osteoblastic (bone build up) cells and inhibit osteoclastic (bone breakdown) cells. Concluding that olive leaf polyphenols may be osteoporotic protective in postmenopausal women where oxidative stress is the pathogenic factor.

Olive leaf has GLYCAEMIC EFFECTS-

A human study found that supplementation with olive leaf polyphenols for 12 weeks significantly improved insulin sensitivity  and pancreatic b-cell secretory capacity in overweight middle aged men at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The authors suggested the improvement was comparable to diabetic medications.

An in-vitro study reported the modulation of digestive enzymatic reactions from the intervention of olive oil. Overall it was concluded that an enhanced protein metabolism alongside an inhibitory triglyceride metabolism was produced. Subsequently in overweight or obese populations this may be of benefit.

A study on male and female type II diabetics were supplemented with 500mg of olive leaf extract or placebo for 14 weeks, found a significant reduction in fasted HbA1c in the treatment group. The authors concluded that olive leaf extract is associated with improved glucose homeostasis that was suggested to be via a reduced glucose metabolism and absorption mechanism.

Olive leaf is ANTI-MICROBIAL 

An in vitro study showed that oleuropein metabolites inhibited the growth of some species of bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Lactobaccillus plantarum, Corynebacterium michiganese, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas solanacearum.

A further in vitro study reported that olive leaf extract was found to be most active against Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori and Staphylococcus aureus including meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), with minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.31–0.78% (volume to volume). The authors suggested that olive leaf may be useful for microflora modulation as specific rather than broad spectrum anti-microbial properties were observed.

Olive Leaf is ANTI-VIRAL 

Olive leaf may be a true anti-viral compound because it appears to selectively block an entire virus-specific system in the infected host. It then appears to offer healing effects not addressed by pharmaceutical antibiotics. Olive leaf's broad killing power includes an ability to interfere with critical amino acid production for viruses; an ability to contain viral infection and/or spread by inactivating viruses by preventing virus shredding, budding or assembly at the cell membrane; the ability to directly penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication.

An in vitro study found that olive leaf extract reduced viral infection of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) by 10% and oleuropein reduced viral infection of VHSV by 30% when the compounds were present during the viral incubation period. In addition, it was found that olive leaf extract had an inhibitory effect of viral cell to cell transmission.

Similarly it was reported that olive leaf extract inhibited acute HIV infection and cell to cell transmission in vitro. The effects were found to be dose dependant and at this effective dose no cytotoxicity in uninfected cells was detected.

Olive leaf is good for your heart and blood pressure

Oleuropein, an important active constituent in olive leaf has been found to decrease blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) and dilate the coronary arteries surrounding the heart. Oleuropein also has been found to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

A study observed the reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements from baseline during an 8 week 500mg twice daily olive leaf extract intervention on patients with stage 1 hypertension.

In addition to the reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, olive leaf extract intervention subjects experienced a significant reduction in triglycerides. It was suggested that the mechanism of action of olive leaf extract lies in calcium channel blockade that results in vasodilation thus reducing blood pressure. A further study using 40 borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins showed blood pressure and LDL cholesterol reductions after an 8 week olive leaf extract intervention.

It is suggested that olive leaf may downregulate and possibly inhibit endogenous inflammatory factors, in addition to the anti-oxidative properties of polyphenols and enhanced vasodilation thus may contribute to cardio protective benefits.

Oleuropein induced nitric oxide production that demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in-vitro, contributes to the well-known theory that states oleuropein has been found to interact with anti-Blood pressure measurements at baseline and after an 8 week intervention for controls and subjects.

Controls Low Dose Intervention 500mg/day High Dose Intervention 1000mg/day

inflammatory factors. Further evidence supports the anti-inflammatory and apoprotein protective properties of oleuropein through an interaction that produces LDL modification that subsequently promotes an anti-atherosclerotic effect.

Dosage - 200mg standardised extract one to three times daily.

Olive leaf can be irritating to the stomach lining and should be taken with meals.

Potential health benefits of Olive leaf

:Viral infections (influenza, colds), Candida infections, Herpes Simplex, Dysbiosis, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), Modulation of the microbiome, Cardiovascular support (angina, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and arrhythmia), Glucose homeostasis, Modulation of HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin, biomarker for type II diabetes.

Directions: As a food supplement, take one capsule daily with food, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

one vegetarian capsule provides: