High blood pressure is a risk factor for many diseases and can lead to a decreased life expectancy. It affects as much as one quarter of the world's population but is extremely treatable through medication, diet or lifestyle changes. Natural treatments such as olive leaf extract are effective at reducing blood pressure and may be a good alternative to medications. The healthful benefits of olive leaves are readily available through powders, extracts and capsules, but you should consult with your doctor before beginning any new treatments.
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is elevated pressure in the blood vessels. It is a common medical condition that can either be chronic or temporary depending on the underlying causes. Causes include smoking, obesity, alcoholism, again, hormone changes or pregnancy. A report in the journal "Hypertension" states that almost one-quarter of adults in the United States are taking hypertension medication and this number is steadily rising. In addition to medication, there are effective natural methods for treating hypertension such as regular exercise, meditation and herbal extracts.
Olive Leaves
Compounds contained within olive leaves have nutritional and medicinal benefits, and their use has been gaining popularity in recent years in both traditional and alternative medical fields. Olive leaves contain two types of antioxidants known as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, which can prevent the oxidative damage of other harmful molecules such as free radicals according to the journal "Phytomedicine." The journal "Natural Products Research" also states that olive leaves contain oleocanthal, a potent compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They also contain flavonoids and polyphenols, which have additional antioxidant activity and potential anti-cancer effects.
Treating Blood Pressure With Olive Leaves
Olive leaf extract has been proven to have an effect on blood pressure. The extract was shown to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive animals in the journal "Drug Research" although the mechanism was not clear. In human studies the same effect was observed according to the journal "Phytotherapy Research". In a recent study published in "Phytomedicine", olive leaf extract was as effective at reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients as captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-based drug. These studies clearly show the powerful effects of olive leaf extract on the cardiovascular system.
Sources of Olive Leaf Extracts
It is difficult to obtain beneficial compounds for blood pressure from intact olive leaves. Extracts from olive leaves are available in powder form, a liquid concentrate or even capsules. Some people prefer to obtain liquid extracts from freshly picked olive leaves to ensure the greatest health benefit. In addition, a tea can be made out of dried olive leaves. All of these sources are relatively inexpensive and readily available online or in health food stores. As with any treatment make sure to follow the dosage directions and use only under supervision of your physician.
References
- "Hypertension"; Prevalence of Hypertension in the US Adult Population; VL Burt et al; March 1995.
- "Phytomedicine"; Olea Europaea Leaf Extract; J Flemmig et al; May 2011
- "Natural Products Research"; The Concentration of Oleocanthal in Olive Oil Waste; S Cicerale et al; March 2011
- "Drug Research"; Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of an Olive Leaf Extract; MT Khayyal et al; 2002
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Food Supplementation with an Olive Leaf Extract Reduces Blood Pressure; T Perrinjaquet-Moccetti et al; September 2008
- "Phytomedicine"; Olive Leaf Extract Effective in Patients with Stage-1 Hypertension; E Susalit et al; February 2011
