Supplement Godfather

The Mediterranean diet has long been believed to provide many health benefits, and olives are one of the major sources of these benefits. Olive leaf extract delivers many bioactive polyphenols, including oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. These powerful polyphenols provide the main health benefits of olive leaf, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and fat-fighting abilities, to name a few.

Fat Fighter
Oleuropein derived from olive leaf has been shown to have fat-fighting properties. It can increase thyroid function and boost norepinephrine levels, thereby increasing calories and fat burned. In one study, rats given olive leaf extract for 14 days experienced an increase in T3, which is the active thyroid hormone that stimulates metabolism. Other research studies show that oleuropein can increase uncoupling protein (UCP) levels in fat tissue and both adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are two important hormones that influence fat metabolism.

Powerful Antioxidant
Olive leaf extract has been shown to have strong antioxidant effects and can prevent inflammation, protect against oxidative damage, and even fight the onset of cancer. Olive leaf appears to work on multiple pathways and have multiple mechanisms of action. It’s been shown to inhibit DNA damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is one of the first steps in the development of cancer cells. It also appears to suppress growth factors and enzymes that are needed for tumor development.

Cold Killer
Olive leaf has even been shown to provide defense against the common cold. It can help interfere with viral spreading and shedding as well as viral replication, and it can even stimulate phagocytosis, the immune system defense mechanism where cells ingest and destroy harmful pathogens. These are all good reasons to stock up on this natural cold and flu fighter come winter season!

Other Benefits
The benefits of olive leaf seem to go on and on! In addition to the many benefits already mentioned, its antioxidant properties appear to help influence the levels of lipoproteins. This effect can protect against arterial damage, reduce LDL cholesterol from oxidation, provide neuroprotective benefits in the brain, and deliver a protective effect on glucose metabolism.