Scientists believe olive leaf’s potential ability to support cardiovascular health is linked to four main factors. First, olive leaf contains an antioxidant that may help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol—the so-called "bad" cholesterol—can severely damage the walls of arteries and it is one of the chief contributors to atherosclerosis. Another compound in olive leaf may support healthy blood flow by lowering its viscosity and making it less "sticky." Third, olive leaf may have the ability to dilate blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. (Olive leaf references)

Naturally Lower Cholesterol Levels Olive Leaf causes bad cholesterol to slip off platelets in blood vessels, preventing it from sticking to them and causing health problems like coronary artery clogging. This wonderful plant has broad spectrum antibiotic and antiviral properties, benefits overall immune system functioning and is also a vasodilator that lowers blood pressure, reduce inflammation and prevents angina attacks.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study recruited 90 people (age range 55 to 75), received an olive leaf extract per day or placebo for eight weeks. Blood samples were taken in order to measure a variety of biochemical markers. The RA subjects receiving the olive extract had significantly lower homocysteine levels than the placebo group. "High homocysteine levels in patients with RA have been associated with higher rates of mortality from cardiovascular events," stated the researchers. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased by about 50 per cent as a result of olive extract supplementation, while CRP levels in the placebo group increased. Supplementation with olive leaf & extract also decreased pain and inflammation of people suffering from osteoarthritis The author wrote: Thus, introducing this natural and safe food extract into the diet may have the same or better beneficial effects as an intervention diet. Source: Nutrition Research (Elsevier) August 2007, Volume 27, Issue 8,