8 Amazing Benefits of Olive Leaf

The use of the olive leaf as a medicinal herb originated in Ancient Egypt. Not to be confused with olive oil, which is another part of the olive tree that is widely used all over the world in cooking and health and beauty products, the leaves of olive trees are packed full of polyphenolic antioxidants.

Found in the leaves of olives is Oleuropein. Oleuropein is a powerful bioactive agent that is responsible for many strong eradicating properties making it a very effective natural remedy to improve one’s health. Below are eight amazing health benefits of the olive leaf.

1. Powerful Antioxidant

Roaming freely inside of your body are free radicals. Although they play an important role in cellular processes, when they exist in high quantities, they become hazardous to your health. When taken on a regular basis, the oleuropein in olive leaves absorbs some of the free radicals inside of the body, thereby reducing the effects of premature aging and disease. Some species of olives contain higher amounts of antioxidant agents such as resveratrol, tyrosol, oleuropein, and hydroxytrosol.

2. Heart Health

Olive oil leaf helps to promote the health of the endothelium. It increases the amount of nitric oxide in the blood that relaxes your blood vessels to improve blood circulation. It also helps to prevent LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) from oxidizing. The oxidation of LDL is a primary event that occurs in individuals who are developing atherosclerosis. Once LDL oxidizes, the blood vessels become inflamed and cause further damage to the arteries. The anti-inflammatory properties of olives fight current inflammation, thus promoting heart health.

3. Fights Osteoporosis

Thanks to its high oleuropein content, olive leaves stimulate the production of osteoblast cells (responsible for bone growth) and fights osteoporosis. Of course, they work best when taken in coordination with other bone health promoting supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.

4. Regulates Blood Sugar

High glucose levels create a state of oxidative stress on the body that triggers inflammation and causes tissue damage and premature aging. Extract taken from the leaves of olive lowers blood sugar by slowing down the digestion and absorption of starches and simple sugars, while increasing the amount of glucose that is absorbed into the blood. The extract also prevents damage from oxidants during the glycation process (glucose attaches to protein during absorption).

5. Prevents Gout

Gout occurs when there are high accumulations of uric acid in the joints. The medicinal properties of olive leaves inhibit the production of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, reducing the creation of uric acid. Uric acid is a natural byproduct of the liver, and when it is present in the body in high amounts, it causes inflammation and stress to the circulatory and cardiovascular systems.

6. Fights Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that causes painful inflammation of the joints. Although inflammation is one way that your body responds to foreign objects and infections, when the immune system malfunctions, it starts to attack the healthy tissues instead. Regular doses of olive leaf extract can help to counter the negative effects of immune system response and reduce the amount of painful swelling and inflammation that occurs.

7. Lowers Blood Pressure

Olive leaves can be used to treat and prevent high blood pressure. The medicinal properties of olive leaves can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the amount of pressure inside of the left ventricle of the heart. Of course, it is necessary for one to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle to maximize the benefits for the modulation of blood pressure.

8. Lowers Risk for Cancer

The antioxidant effects of olive leaves help to stop the formation of cancer. The oleuropein ingredient in olives suppresses cancerous enzyme activity and inhibits growth factors to disrupt the development of malignant tumors. In addition to preventing the development of malignant tumors, olive extract fights inflammation, free radicals and improves the immune system’s ability to respond to certain threats.

Individuals are more likely to benefit from the use of olive leaf when it is taken as an extract. Recommended dosage is between 500 milligrams to 1000 milligrams daily, although the 1,000 milligram range significantly increases one’s chances of receiving optimal benefits. If you are ready to learn how to improve your health through the use of our natural supplements so you can start living life on your terms, contact us today.