What is oleuropein good for?
Beyond hypertension, oleuropein has been shown to have cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic and neuroprotective functions, and thus may be of therapeutic potential for a variety of human disorders. Human studies on OLE for blood pressure control, insulin sensitivity and respiratory infections have utilised OLE preparations standardised between 51-136mg oleuropein per day.
What are the health benefits of oleuropein?
On the basis of these results, it was inferred that oleuropein and/or oleuropein-rich extracts can be a promising alternative for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases through its ability to reduce systemic oxidative stress, blood pressure and inflammation. Oleuropein, a non-toxic secoiridoid derived from the olive tree, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-angiogenic agent. Here, we show it to be a potent anti-cancer compound, directly disrupting actin filaments in cells and in a cell-free assay.
Does oleuropein lower cholesterol?
The cholesterol-lowering effects of olive leaf extracts (OLE) are thought to be due to oleuropein, a compound present in the leaves. Studies on hypercholesterolemic rats suggest that OLE is more effective than pure oleuropein at lowering cholesterol. All parts of the olive tree and its oil contain oleuropein, but the leaves of olive tree are the richest source of this compound (60–90 mg/g dry weight) (Ansari, Kazemipour, & Fathi, 2011).Oleuropein is generally the most prominent phenolic compound in olive cultivars and can reach concentrations of up to 140 mg g−1 on a dry matter basis in young olives [6] and 60–90 mg g−1 of dry matter in the leaves [7].Extra-virgin olive oils contain the most oleuropein and therefore taste best, whereas more processed, less fresh olive oils contain little oleuropein. Low quality olive oils taste worse and don’t convey health benefits.
What are the side effects of oleuropein?
Some studies report side effects — including coughing, vertigo, stomach pains, and headaches. Some people are allergic to the pollen produced by olive trees and may have an allergic reaction when taking olive leaf extract. Olive leaf extract may lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It has been reported that olive leaf extract can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both hypertensive and pre-hypertensive individuals, and can improve plasma lipid concentrations in both normal and high-cholesterol subjects.The olive has also been recommended as a plant that has different therapeutic effects, and its therapeutic effects on the kidneys are mentioned in several studies, including the reduction of renal damage parameters and an increase in the antioxidant power of enzymes in the body.