Written by Jessica Patella, ND. A 6 week supplementation with olive leaf extract significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressures as well as total and LDL cholesterol which could equate to a cardiovascular risk reduction of 4.2% and 9.75%.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women (2). High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are key risk factors for developing heart disease (2). Consuming a Mediterranean diet, specifically the olive oil component, has been associated with decreasing heart disease (2). Recent research has found that supplementing with olive leaf extract improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels (1).
The research included 60 pre-hypertensive males (systolic BP:121-140 mmHg; diastolic BP 81-90 mmHg). Participants consumed either olive leaf extract (10ml twice per day) or a placebo for 6 weeks. This was followed by a 4-week washout period during which nothing was taken, before switching to the alternate treatment for another 6 weeks (1).
Twenty-four hour blood pressure was assessed at weeks 0, 6, 10 and 16. This was done using automated monitors programmed to measure blood pressure every 30 minutes between 7 AM and 11 PM and every hour between 11 PM and 7 AM.
Twenty-four hour systolic blood pressure, 24-hour diastolic blood pressure and daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressures were all significantly reduced after taking olive leaf extract and increased after taking the placebo (1).
| 24-Hour Values | Daytime Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Systolic Blood Pressure | decreased by 3.33 mmHg (p<0.045) | decreased by 3.95 mmHg (p<0.027) |
| Diastolic Blood Pressure | decreased by 2.42 mmHg (p<0.039) | decreased by 3.00 mmHg (p<0.025) |
Data from previous studies suggest that a 2 mmHg reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure is associated with a 6-7% reduction in cardiovascular risk and a 10-15% reduction in stroke and heart attack (3, 4). Extrapolating those results to this study would indicate olive leaf extract may be associated with a 9-14% reduction in cardiovascular risk and a 20-22.5% reduction in heart attack and stroke (1).
Olive leaf extract also significantly reduced total cholesterol by 0.32 mmol/L (p<0.002) and LDL “bad” cholesterol by 0.19 mmol/L (p<0.017) compared to baseline (1). Compared to previous statin drug studies, reduction of total cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol could equate to a cardiovascular risk reduction by 4.2% and 9.75% respectively (1, 5, 6).
In conclusion, daily consumption of olive leaf extract showed improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke (1). Researchers feel it should be considered as part of a health diet and lifestyle modification program to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease (1).
Source: Lockyer et al. Secoiridoids delivered as olive leaf extract induce acute improvements in human vascular function and reduction of an inflammatory cytokine: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. British Journal of Nutrition, page 1 of 9 doi:10.1017/S0007114515001269
©The Authors 2015
Posted June 8, 2016.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Lockyer S, et al. Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers: a randomized controlled trial. 2016 Eur J Nutr DOI:10.1007/s00394-01601188-y
- Heart Disease Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Cook NR, et al. Implications of small reductions in diastolic blood pressure for primary prevention. 1995 Arch Intern Med 155:701-709.
- Neutel JM. The role of combination therapy in the management of hypertension. 2006 Nephrol Dial Transplant 21: 1469-1473.
- Gould AL, et al. Cholesterol reduction yields clinical benefit: impact of statin trials. 1998 Circulation 97: 946-952.
- Mihaylova B, et al. The effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with statin therapy in people at low risk of vascular disease: meta-analysis of individual data from 27 randomized trails. 2012 Lancet 380: 581-590.
