Olive Leaf Extract Protects the Cardiovascular System
By Andrea Marshall
Before you buy olive leaf extract, you might want to learn a little about its traditional usage and modern day research concerning this compound. All plants contain some active compounds that we call phytochemicals. To people, these compounds may be poisons, nutrients or medicine. The leaves of the olive tree were the first medicines for some cultures.
The tree is native to the coastal area of the eastern Mediterranean region. Because of the tree's wide range of uses, it has been cultivated and is now grown in areas that have a Mediterranean or a temperate climate, including South Africa, Chile, Australia, California, Argentina and New Zealand.
The olive and ginkgo biloba trees are some of the longest lived plants, with specimens that are thousands of years old. Traditionally, the trees were cultivated both as a food and a medicinal source. Traditional healers used what was readily available to them. Olive leaf extract was readily available in the Mediterranean. Gingko was only found in China. Today, we have the luxury of eating foods and using traditional medicines from around the world.
Modern scientists have shown that some of the active phytochemicals in olive leaf extract have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity, which supports its traditional use to prevent and treat infections of all kinds. Infections were a common cause of death in ancient times. Today, our biggest concerns are heart disease and cancer. We want to live a long life, but we worry about Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases.
When it comes to the heart, olive leaf extract has several benefits. It has been shown to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow to the heart by relaxing the arteries. It helps lower LDL cholesterol, the bad kind. These things are important to protect the health of the cardiovascular system.
When it comes to cancer, preliminary research indicates that it may be useful for treating or preventing cancer. The polyphenols found in grape skins, green tea and turmeric have more supportive evidence for cancer prevention and treatment.
As far as preventing Alzheimer's and degenerative diseases, gingko biloba and green tea are likely to be better choices than olive leaf extract. But, luckily, we don't have to pick just one.
There are excellent multi-nutritional supplements on the market that contain basic essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids, as well as a variety of different plant extracts that have proven benefits to human health. These supplements were designed specifically for people that want to live a long healthy life.
When you are buying supplements, it pays to compare quality, if at all possible. It's not just the dosage, but the type of tablet that the manufacturer uses. Some phytochemicals, such as those found in turmeric, are degraded by stomach acid to the point that the body cannot use them. A tablet with an enteric coating insures that the nutrients are released in the upper intestine, where they can enter the bloodstream.
The manufacture should test raw ingredients for purity and potency. The phytochemical content varies from one plant to the next, depending on its age and growing conditions. An olive leaf extract standardized to at least 20% of the most active compounds is the highest quality.
Andrea Marshall is a researcher of skin care and health supplement products. Visit her site now at http://www.natural-supplement-site.info to get the facts on how to choose the best products for your youthful and healthy life.
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