While olive fruit is used for culinary purposes and for extracting oil, olive leaves have been used for centuries for treating various illnesses. Olive leaf owes most of its medicinal properties to a compound called oleuropein. This bitter constituent of the leaf protects the olive plant from diseases. Scientific studies have revealed that oleuropein is also beneficial for the human health. The high concentration of oleuropein in olive leaf extract makes it the ideal dietary supplement for treating various health disorders.
Olive Leaf Extract Offers The Following Health Benefits
Fights Cold and Flu
Traditionally olive leaf is used for treating cold and flu. In addition to oleuropein, olive leaf extract contains hydroxytyrosol and various other phytochemicals that help in destroying a number of pathogens. Studies suggest that they work by activating phagocytes that destroy the germs. Furthermore, the olive leaf compounds also help in blocking replication of viruses and bacteria, thereby providing relief from infections.
Reduces Coronary Artery Disease Risk
You can reduce your risk of developing coronary artery disease by taking olive leaf extract daily. The antioxidant activity of the olive leaf compounds block oxidation of the low-density lipoprotein or the LDL cholesterol, which is responsible for formation of plagues in the coronary arteries. Furthermore, the polyphenol compounds in olive leaf reduce platelet aggregation and suppress inflammatory mediators that damage the coronary arteries and increase risk of heart attacks.
Lowers High Blood Pressure
Oleuropein acts as a calcium-channel blocker, thereby helping in reducing the high blood pressure level. The olive leaf compounds help in reducing endothelial dysfunction, which is responsible for hypertension. It induces the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels to produce nitric oxide that helps the blood vessels to relax.
Decreases High Blood Sugar
Olive leaf extract when taken after meals helps in slowing down glucose absorption in the gut, which helps in preventing spikes in the blood sugar level after meals. In addition, to lowering the high blood sugar level, the antioxidant compounds in olive leaf extract help in protecting the body tissues from oxidative stress, which tends to be higher in diabetics.
Relief From Psoriasis
When taken daily, olive leaf extract can help in providing relief from psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibiotic properties of the olive leaf compounds help in healing the psoriasis lesions and improve the health of the skin.
Helps in Weight Loss
Olive leaf extract helps in weight loss. By stimulating the thyroid gland, it helps in boosting the body’s metabolism. As a result, your body starts burning fats at a faster rate. Furthermore, it also acts as an appetite suppressant and helps in putting a break on your overeating habit.
Prevents Bone Loss
Loss of bone mineral density that occurs as we age can be minimized with olive leaf extract. Oleuropein helps in increasing production of osteoblast cells, the cells that make bones. Hence, risk of osteoporosis can be reduced by taking olive leaf extract.
Reduces Joint Pain
The anti-inflammatory property of olive leaf extract helps in providing relief from joint pain. It helps in blocking production of inflammatory molecules that trigger inflammation of the joints. Olive leaf extract is therefore beneficial for people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Relief From Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints. Oleuropein suppresses activities of xanthine oxidiase, an enzyme crucial for production of uric acid. Olive leaf extract reduces the elevated uric acid level in the blood and reduces recurrent gout flare-ups.
Reduces Risk of Age-Related Cognitive Impairment
By reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting production of inflammatory chemicals that damage the brain cells, olive leaf extract helps in reducing risks of neurodegenerative diseases. It is especially effective in preventing age-related cognitive impairment and can even lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Treats Tooth and Gum Infections
Olive leaf extract helps in treating tooth infection. The antibacterial activity of the main bioactive constituent of olive leaf makes olive leaf extract an effective alternative to the antibiotic medications. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory property of olive leaf extract helps in reducing swelling of the gum.
Fights Candida Yeast Infection
Overgrowth of the Candida yeasts causes thrush, diaper rash, vaginal yeast infection and nail infections. The powerful antifungal property of olive leaf extract helps in treating the Candida infection. Apart from destroying the yeasts, by decreasing the blood sugar level, olive leaf extract deprives the yeasts of their main source of energy, and hence helps in preventing Candida overgrowth.
Treats Acne
Olive leaf extract can also help in controlling acne breakouts. The antibacterial property of the active compounds present in olive leaf helps in suppressing growth of the acne-causing bacteria. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of olive leaf further help in minimizing breakouts.
Relief From Chronic Fatigue
Immune dysfunction is believed to be one of the major causes of chronic fatigue syndrome. By restoring the optimal health of the immune system, olive leaf extract helps in overcoming chronic fatigue. Moreover, its antioxidant effect helps in reducing oxidative stress, which is another leading cause of fatigue.
Reduces Cancer Risk
The antioxidant effect of olive leaf extract prevents DNA damage, which leads to development of cancer cells. Studies suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents of olive leaf extract help in protecting against breast, prostate, bladder, skin, liver and brain cancers.
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