A few months ago, I told you about how olive leaf extract can help you lower your blood pressure naturally. I’m a big fan of this option, as I think it’s much safer than a lot of the blood pressure drugs on the market. Most of the research on olive leaf extract has been positive, and I’ve told you about some of those studies in the past. But occasionally, studies of olive leaf extract have had some inconsistencies. Researchers at the University of Reading, Massey University, and the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization decided to try to get to the bottom of the olive-leaf debate once and for all.
For this study, the researchers conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover intervention trial. All of those adjectives help you know that this was a well-designed study. The researchers randomly divided the participants, who ranged in age from 24 to 72, into two groups. One group consumed olive leaf extract while the other consumed a placebo for six weeks. They then took a four-week break, letting everything filter out of their systems. Then they switched groups for another six weeks.
The researchers asked the participants not to consume any other products containing olives or any alcohol for the duration of the study. They also evaluated the participants’ temperature, blood pressure, vascular function, and biochemistry at weeks 0, 6, 10, and 16.
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When they evaluated the results, it was pretty easy to tell who had been in which group at which point in the study. Both diastolic and systolic blood pressure went down significantly when the participants were receiving the olive leaf extract. The participants’ lipid profiles also improved, confirming the results of previous studies.
I’m glad these researchers provided additional evidence for us. It’s too bad they can’t do the same regarding the safety of blood pressure medications. But I don’t think they’d find what they’re looking for.
Fortunately, you can use olive leaf extract instead to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. You’ll find it in Advanced Bionutritionals’ new Mediterranean Cholesterol Formula, along with a number of other ingredients to benefit your lipid profiles. Just make sure you don’t stop taking any blood pressure medication you’re currently on without discussing it with your doctor. He or she will have to taper you off slowly to avoid any dangerous effects of withdrawal.
Frank Shallenberger, MD
Source:
http://mobile.nutraingredients-usa.com/Ingredients/Botanicals-Herbals/More-evidence-on-olive-leaf-extract-s-blood-pressure-benefits.