Olea europaea

Health Benefits

• Immune System – An immunomodulator that either triggers or suppresses the immune response, depending on the need.
• Powerful antiviral & anti-inflammatory properties. Assist in the treatment of herpes and other viral infections.
• Circulatory & cardiovascular system – Improve heart health, prevent atherosclerosis and regulate cholesterol.
• Brain & Cognitive health – Prevent cognitive decline and protect the brain against Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s.
• Diabetes – Regulate blood sugar levels & alleviate type 2 diabetes.
• Weight management – Prevent weight gain and lower the risk of obesity.
• Anti-cancer – Reduce the risk of cancer

Detailed Health benefits

Support the immune system – Immunomodulator

 Olive leaves are a potent source of antioxidants that support your immune system, reduce the risk of disease and fight cell damage that may lead to infection. Polyphenols are compounds in Olive leaves that enhance the activity of our immune systems. One of the phenols, Oleuropein, supports the immune system in fighting an array of disease-causing microbes, including microbes that cause flu and other similar infections. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002804/ Olive leaves play a role in activating and suppressing healthy immune responses, which is crucial in the treatment and prevention of autoimmune disease. It modif1es healthy immune response by increasing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production which is associated with the higher absolute numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Killer T Cells or CD8+) and Natural killer cells (NK) cells. This reinforce & regulate the immune system and increase anti-tumour activity. It assists in maintaining the equilibrium between T regulatory cells and Th17 cells, as evidenced by unmodified levels of interleukin (IL)-IL-10 and IL-17, respectively. It assists in treating chronic inflammatory disease and prevents cardiovascular event outcomes.

There are many pathways by which IFN-γ can counteract harmful inflammation in Th1-associated autoimmune diseases. The production of IFN-γ during inflammatory and autoimmune diseases should be considered a process with bidirectional immunoregulatory consequences, often resulting in a moderation of pathology. https://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/fulltext/S1471-4906(08)00198-1

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29149822/  IL-17 is a highly inflammatory cytokine with robust effects on stromal cells in many tissues. Th17 cells play an essential role in the pathogenesis of a diverse group of immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, lupus, allograft rejection, anti-tumour immunity, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and intracerebral haemorrhage.

On the other hand, T cells are not only the source but also a target of IL-17. IL-17 can modulate Th1 cell polarization both in vitro and in vivo by directly acting on CD4 T cells to suppress T-bet expression. https://www.nature.com/articles/cmi201021

 Interleukin-17 (IL-17, also known as IL-17A) is a key cytokine that links T cell activation to neutrophil mobilization and activation. As such, IL-17 can mediate protective innate immunity to pathogens or contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4530463/#:~:text=Interleukin%2D17%20(IL%2D17,as%20psoriasis%20and%20rheumatoid%20arthritis.

Numerous immune regulatory functions have been reported for the IL-17 family of cytokines, presumably due to their induction of many immune signaling molecules. The most notable role of IL-17 is its involvement in inducing and mediating proinflammatory responses. IL-17 is commonly associated with allergic responses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interleukin_17

Th17 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of a diverse group of immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma. Initial reports also propose a role for Th17 cells in tumorigenesis and transplant rejection. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3299089/

Results: Both extracts, but especially extract A, increased absolute numbers of CD8+ and natural killer (NK) cells. In addition, an increased production of interferon (IFN)-γ by both extracts as an expression of T helper (h)1 activation was observed. Finally, both extracts enhanced NO release. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29149822/

Improve heart health

It can positively affect atherosclerosis or narrowing arteries. Regulate cholesterol levels by lowering bad cholesterol and supporting good cholesterol. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.5445 It lowers blood pressure and can reduce the risk f stroke and heart attack. It may help lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y Reseach found Olive leaf lowers blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels & inflammation associated with blood sugar imbalances. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009279716300977

Olive leave extract increases levels of nitric oxide, indicating its cardioprotective effect due to vasodilation activity . It assist in alleviating atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29149822/

Powerful antiviral

Fight viruses including herpes, mononucleosis, and rotavirus, It may be beneficial against influenza and flu. https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/78/2/133 Oleuropein, an active compound in Olive leaves inhibits the infectivity of the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), a salmonid rhabdovirus. It inhibit cell-to-cell membrane fusion induced by VHSV in uninfected cells. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166354205000677

It is used to treat herpes

It has potent antiviral and antimicrobial properties that reduce the ability of the herpes virus to invade surrounding cells. https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJMR/article-full-text-pdf/E09C2B158944 Its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects has been reported for immune‐boosting effects to treat herpes virus infection.

Fight cognitive decline and protect the brain against Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s

due to its high antioxidant properties. It may assist with preventing damage or loss of dopamine neurons associated with Parkinson’s disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227229/ Its anti-inflammatory properties may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease by alleviating oxidative stress. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5838478/

Alleviate type 2 diabetes

Olive leaf may improve insulin secretion in cells. It may reduce hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, blood glucose, and oxidative stress. It decreases serum cholesterol and increases serum insulin. https://www.ffhdj.com/index.php/ffhd/article/view/114/237 It significantly improve blood sugar levels in controled groeps. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2011.0243

Support weight management, reduce weight gain and lower the risk of obesity

It prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity by regulating the expression of genes that affect weight gain. It aid as a mild appetite suppressant that helps in reducing food intake. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/971890/ Olive leaves contain oleuropein, a polyphenol that may help prevent weight gain. Even with a high cholesterol diet, oleuropein may lower body weight, reduce fat tissue, and improve the metabolic profile. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009279716300977

Reduce the risk of cancer

Its potent antioxidant properties may stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19194970/  Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have also been shown to fight the growth of breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer cells, as well as leukemia cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997426