Caution: Killing Germs May Be Hazardous to Your Health
Our war on microbes has toughened them. Now, new science tells us we should embrace bacteria.

... As antibiotics lose their effectiveness, researchers are returning to an idea that dates back to Pasteur, that the body's natural microbial flora aren't just an incidental fact of our biology, but crucial components of our health, intimate companions on an evolutionary journey that began millions of years ago. The science writer Jessica Snyder Sachs summarizes this view in four words in the title of her ground-breaking new book: "Good Germs, Bad Germs." Our microbes do us the favor of synthesizing vitamins right in our guts; they regulate our immune systems and even our serotonin levels: germs, it seems, can make us happy.
... The vast majority of human microbes live in the digestive tract; they get there by way of the mouth in the first few months of life, before stomach acid builds to levels that are intended to kill most invaders.
... The task is complicated, in part because some bacteria seem to be both good and bad.

see all references
Not only is olive leaf a deadly killer of all harmful bacteria, fungi, yeasts, parasites and viruses in the body, but it does not attack the good bacteria in the gut we need for digestion - a very unusual property. In fact, it nurtures the good bacteria. This uniqueness can only be explained by human evolution - something the pharmaceutical industry is unable to replicate. While antibiotics used to be able to destroy bacteria (not viruses) it destroyed them all, good and bad alike, and thus taking antibiotics resulted in bad side effects such as leaky gut, and mutated microbes. Antibiotics also do nothing to support the immune system, the body's only sure route to a cure.
from Olive Leaf Extract by Dr. Morton Walker

Many antibiotics suppress the immune system, and nearly all of them destroy beneficial organisms in the intestinal tract.
from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome the Hidden Epidemic, Jesse Stoff, M.D. National Life Extension Research Institute

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Johnson & Johnson getting on the olive leaf bandwagon, YouTube link

Right herbs can shorten time of your cold or flu suffering
By STACY SMITH SEGOVIA
There may be little your doctor or pharmacist can do to make you feel better once a cold or the flu takes hold. But local herbalists say the right herbs at the right time can dramatically shorten your suffering.

"If someone starts catching a cold, they need to start taking olive leaf, VS-C and colloidal silver," says Joyce Jackson, office manager for Queen City Health on Madison Street. "All of them fight against a cold and build up the immune system."

Jackson says colloidal silver has antiviral as well as antibacterial properties, and major advantages over prescription antibiotics. "Colloidal silver kills over 650 different viruses and bacteria," she says. "Most antibiotics kill only six bacteria."

Colloidal silver can be used to quickly treat another ailment that often attacks the sickness-weakened body — pink eye. "By the next day, it's gone," Jackson says. Jackson also recommends echinacea, zinc, vitamin C and a combination immune stimulator blend.

Herbs and Vitamin Store across from Governor's Square Mall on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard sells hundreds of varieties of natural remedies. Patricia Gurley at Herbs and Vitamin Store recommends umcka, a remedy made from the roots of a South African geranium.

"It shortens the duration of the cold or flu and relieves you of the different symptoms," Gurley says. Like Jackson, Gurley advocates the use of echinacea and several other herbs for immune system support.

"Once you get the first symptoms, start taking echinacea immediately," Gurley says. "You won't have the cold as long if you take it at the first sign of a stuffy nose or scratchy throat.

Zinc lozenges are also good. Olive leaf extract is an antiviral. If you have the flu, which is viral, that will really help." Oreganol, the juice of oregano, an herb popular in Italian dishes, is another multipurpose anti-viral and anti-bacterial.

"You can add it to water or juice," Gurley says. "You can use it for anything from warts on the hand to any type of viral or bacterial infection. It's good for colds, sinuses, flu."

Jackson says taking immune supportive herbs can greatly reduce your suffering from colds and flu. But your actions can also help or hurt your body's ability to heal.

"Continue to do your normal routine, but don't overwork your body," Jackson says. "Your body will tell you what to do. If your body says relax, relax."
from The Leaf-Chronicle TN

Olive leaf juice could be edible oil antioxidant By Stephen Daniells

Olive juice, obtained by pressing olive leaves, may act as an antioxidant to prolong the frying life of frying oils, suggests a study using sunflower oil.

"The outcome of the present study suggests that crude olive juice can be used in practical operation to extend the frying life of frying oils," wrote lead author Radwan Farag from Cairo University. The use of natural alternatives to synthetic preservatives, such as like butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), to slow down the oxidative deterioration of food is gaining interest. According to a 2003 report by Frost and Sullivan, the synthetic antioxidant market is in decline, while natural antioxidants, such as herb extracts, tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbates (vitamin C) are growing, pushed by easier consumer acceptance and legal requirements for market access. This natural antioxidant range could potentially include the polyphenol-rich extract from olive leaves, suggests new research published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology .

The Egyptian researchers compared the antioxidant performance of 400, 800, 1600, and 2400ppm of olive polyphenols with BHT (200 ppm) on the stability of sunflower oil under heating conditions (180 degrees Celsius, five hours per day for five days). Measures of physical and chemical characteristics as a result of adding the antioxidant ingredients showed that no significant effect on the colour of the oil occurred by addition of any level of olive polyphenols. The formation of peroxides in the oil as a result of heating also decreased with increasing olive juice concentration, said the researchers. "In fact, the peroxide value of the heated sunflower oil mixed with 2400 ppm of polyphenolics at the end of the heating process was about 11.3, 9.2, 2.8 and 11.4 times lower than that of the sunflower oil mixed with 400, 800, 1600 and control, respectively," they wrote.

Using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay to measure lipid oxidation, the researchers report that the 400 ppm level of olive polyphenolics exhibited almost the same antioxidant activity as 200 ppm BHT, while 800 ppm of olive polyphenolics was superior to the synthetic antioxidant. "Therefore, one would recommend adding 800 ppm of the phenolic compounds of olive leaf juice to increase oil stability," wrote Farag. "The data indicate that the addition of olive leaf juice to sunflower oil heated at 180 degrees Celsius induced remarkable antioxidant activity and at 800 ppm level was superior to that of BHT in increasing sunflower oil stability," concluded the researchers.

The cost of the olive leaf juice could also add to the attractiveness of using the juice as an ingredient with antioxidant activity, suggested the researchers. "One has to point out that the main goal of this work was to use a very cheap natural source to as antioxidant agent," wrote Farag. "It is of interest to note that olive leaves used as a natural source for antioxidants in the present study are obtained by the annual pruning of olive plants." Antioxidant revenues are predicted to grow from € 46m ($55m) in 2004 to € 58m ($70m) in 2008, according to Frost and Sullivan.

Source: International Journal of Food Science and Technology

Olive Compound Could Reduce Damage To Heart 09/04/06

A study conducted at the University of Athens on the olive extract, oleuropein, indicates that the compound may improve blood flow to the heart and could possibly prevent heart attacks.1 The researchers believe it is the first study of its kind on oleuropein. Results were published in the Journal of Nutrition.

The goal of the study was to evaluate the potential effects, if any, that the antioxidant oleuropein has on infarct size (tissue killed by a "heart attack"), oxidative damage, and the metabolic profile in rabbits subject to artificial ischemia (blood flow blockage). The researchers divided rabbits into eight groups. Two group were reserved as control groups. Four groups were given either 10mg or 20mg of oleuropein per kilogram of body mass per day, with either a normal or high cholesterol diet for 6 weeks, and 2 were given 20mg oleuropein per kilogram of body mass per day with either a normal or high cholesterol diet for 3 weeks.

The rabbits fed the normal diet and 10mg of oleuropein for 6 weeks had 16.1% less infarct damage than their control cohorts. While the rabbits fed the normal diet and 20mg of oleuropein for 3 weeks had 21.7% less infarct damage than their control. The group fed the normal diet and 20mg of oleuropein for 6 weeks had 24.3% less damage than their control. However, of the rabbits eating the high cholesterol diet, only rabbits receiving the 20mg of oleuropein a day had better results than their controls. Both groups of rabbits on the regimen for either the 3 or 6 week period had approximate 35% less infarct damage. Also the groups that received the oleuropein at either dose for 6 weeks reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

The researchers concluded that "oleuropein, for 3 or 6 weeks, reduced the infarct size, conferred strong antioxidant protection and reduced the circulating lipids." While this study had very positive results, it should be pointed out that it was only one small test conducted on rabbits. It remains to be seen if these results can be replicated and if these same results transfer to humans.

The Miracle of the Olive Leaf
by Luana Lei for Many Hands, New England's Magazine for Holistic Health

Since Biblical times we have heard about the olive branch and reference to the olive tree as the "Tree of Life." This Bible reference has more meaning after reading a book by Dr. Morton Walker entitled Nature's Antibiotic, Olive Leaf Extract. I was astonished to learn the amazing and phenomenal situations that this herb treats so effectively and the amount of research and testing that has been done with it. Dr. Walker has seventeen pages of medical and alternative references in the back of the book. He is a medical journalist who has authored over 69 published books and over 1,800 clinical journal and magazine articles about holistic medicine, orthomolecular nutrition, and alternative methods of healing.

When the olive leaf was analyzed by researchers, they found the leaf matrix has a phenolic compound to which they gave the Latin name oleuropein. It is considered to be the source of the olive tree's powerful disease-resistant properties. It is this ingredient, oleuropein, that is present throughout the olive tree that effectively counteracts insect and bacterial predators (parasites).

In 1969, a major pharmaceutical company's researchers found that olive leaf inhibits the growth of every virus, bacterium, fungus, yeast, and protozoan that it was tested against. The company's research indicated that Olive Leaf Extract is effective against a minimum of 56 disease-causing organisms. Company scientists found that the viruses that were killed by the olive leaf substance are the coxsackie virus, the parainfluenza 3 virus, the herpes virus, the pseudo-rabies virus, the vesicular stomatitis virus, the encephalomyocarditis virus, Newcastle disease virus, polio virus, and the Sindbis virus, to name a few. The book lists many more viruses as well as a list of fungi.

In addition, there is a lengthy list of infectious diseases that in all probability we have had exposure to, at least one time or another, and know friends or family that have challenges in overcoming these situations. Listed in alphabetical order, here are only a few of the many infectious diseases which Olive Leaf Extract acts against as an antimicrobial agent: AIDS, athlete's foot, bladder infection, Chlamydia, colds, cold sores (Herpes simplex I), Ebola virus, Hanta virus, impetigo, Lyme disease, meningitis, pneumonia, ringworm, scabies, shingles (Herpes zoster), vaginal yeast infection, whooping cough.

The list of references for the studies of these and many other diseases are on pages 213 and 214 of Dr. Walker's book. The book also includes specific sections on AIDS, Candida and the yeast syndrome, Chronic Fatigue syndrome, Epstein-Barr and related Fibromyalgia, the sixty three different kinds of herpes, of which seven or more are found in humans, sexually transmitted diseases, a cure for the common cold and flu, psoriasis, plus much more.

Research has been conducted all over the world. For example, at the Robert Lyons Clinic of Budapest, Hungary, a research study was done on 500 patients from the ages of 12 to over 50 for the following conditions: Respiratory diseases (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, etc.); lung conditions such a pneumonia and bronchitis; dental problems (pulpitis, leukoplakia, stomatitis); skin conditions such as herpes and other viral skin problems; bacterial skin infections; and ulcer disease (Helicobacter pylori infection). In addition, research was conducted for strengthened immunity by taking Olive Leaf Extract. The rate of improvement and recovery from all bacterial and viral infections was approximately 98%. For all patients involved in this clinical study, the body's immune system was strengthened. None experienced any adverse side effects.

In laboratory tests the herbal substance olive leaf has been shown to be virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal, Candidicidal, and parasiticidal. The recently discovered phytochemicals in olive leaves, taken as a supplement to the diet, have undergone toxicity testing as well, and produced no adverse side effects in the laboratory testing. Olive Leaf Extract also works on lowering high blood pressure, stops LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, has a coronary dilating action, and much more.

In studying and working with herbs since the 1970s, I have never come across an herb that does so much. No wonder the olive leaf or branch (tree) is called the "Tree of Life," having such life-giving properties. Since there is no toxic level of Olive Leaf Extract, experimentation with the dosages varies. For Fibromyalgia (which I have been diagnosed with in the past), some patients had taken four capsules three times a day (a total of 12) starting with one tablet every six hours. The patient's overall health greatly improved, the depression disappeared, and the patient reported feeling wonderful. I have also found that amount to be effective. Along with the added diagnosis of long-term, systemic Candidiasis disappearing, the fungus under my toenails that I have had for years is now almost gone, not to mention many other things that probably have been dormant in the body.

Dosage Information
Dr. Walker says that he personally takes Olive Leaf Extract daily in a maintenance program against getting infections of any kind. He says, "Each day under usual conditions of stress, my dosage is two capsules." He takes one capsule on an empty stomach upon arising and a second capsule approximately two and a half hours after lunch (about 3:30 p.m.).

The Southern California physician James R. Privitera, M.D., who utilizes Olive Leaf Extract for his patients, says the following about dosage: "Olive leaf extract is currently available in the form of 500-mg tablets. The routine dosage is one tablet every six hours, or four throughout the day. Take the supplement between meals for best results. In the case of bad colds or flu, you can use two tablets every six hours. For acute infections, some individuals have taken three and even four every six hours and reported rapid relief. If you encounter a "die-off" effect, cut back on the number of tablets you are taking, or temporarily discontinue them."

The Nevada Clinic in Las Vegas, a medical facility bent more to holistic health care practices, uses Olive Leaf Extract for many of its patients, in particular those suffering from infections of all types. The administrator of the Nevada Clinic furnishes the following written recommendation of dosages to the clinic's patients for the treatment of illness: "Recommended dosage is four 500-mg capsules throughout the day, or one every six hours. It [Olive Leaf Extract] is best taken before or between meals. For acute flu symptoms, take two capsules every six hours. For acute infections, more rapid relief may be obtained by taking three or more capsules every six hours. Healthy individuals need only take one or two capsules a day to benefit from the supplement's energizing and/or [preventive] effect. In general, the older and more toxic the individual, the more resistance present in the body and hence, the more of the supplement that will be required for optimal results."

In this world of "busy-ness," fast pace, and stress, it seems necessary to simplify our life. For me, taking so many vitamins and herbs were costly and many times didn't work. Replacing them with one thing that does so much and costs so little makes great sense. This is one powerful, nontoxic herb you might want to check out.
Many Hands, New England's Magazine for Holistic health

Study looks at anti-cancer properties of olive oil
Date: Wed 27 December 2006
Category: Health & the Environment. A study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal examined how olive oil may account for the significant difference in cancer rates between Northern and Southern Europeans.

The researchers looked at urine samples from volunteers from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Spain, who consumed 25 milliliters of olive oil every day for three weeks. They measured levels of specific compounds known to be waste by-products of oxidative damage to cells, a precursor to cancer.

At the beginning of the trial, the presence of these waste by-products was much higher in Northern European subjects than their Southern European counterparts. By the end of three weeks, however, the presence of this compound in Northern European subjects was substantially reduced.

Another olive related product that has been receiving attention lately for its health benefits is olive leaf. The product is usually sold as a nutritional supplement in health stores and pharmacies.

Olive leaf is a powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory agent which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of many conditions where antibiotics and other conventional medications have been found to be ineffective.

Olive leaf traditionally received little attention in medical circles, despite a wealth of anecdotal evidence indicating its efficacy for the treatment of a multitude of conditions.

Olive leaf has been receiving more attention recently, after clinical research done at the New York University School of Medicine found the natural   to be effective against HIV without being toxic to uninfected cells.

It was also shown to have a synergistic effect with existing antiretrovirals, and is reportedly being used to reduce the side effects of HAART (Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy).

Research conducted at the New York University School of Medicine found that olive leaf inhibits both HIV acute infection and replication.

Olive leaf also appears to be effective in the treatment of many of the opportunistic infections associated with HIV, like Kaposi's sarcoma and HSV (herpes simplex).

To date there are no reports of serious side effects from olive leaf . Some people do however experience what is known as Herxheimers Reaction, which is caused by the die-off of a large amount of pathogens on the detoxification systems of body.
from Health News

Extra Report: Natural Alternatives
A prescription is not always the best remedy for what ails you. And some people are seeking new answers. They are arming themselves with knowledge and taking a greater responsibility when it comes to healthcare.

After a visit to the doctors office, more and more people are finding themselves making not necessarily to the pharmacy but to health food stores.

Brian Connell says "I talked to my doctor, he was going to put me on some medications to lower my cholesterol, but yet it was going to have some side effects." So Brian decided to give red yeast rice a try. Connell says "I called my doctor, he said give it a try for a few months then he said come back and we are going to do a cholesterol check again." After taking the red yeast rice for a few months, changing his diet and doing more exercise Brian went back to his doctor. So did the natural alternative work for Brian ? Connell says "my cholesterol dropped 60 points in three months."

While Brian is 100 percent convinced the red yeast rice made a difference, doctors urge caution.. And so does Ed Jones the owner of Nutrition World. Jones says "they still need to go to the doctor, someone who can diagnose and guide them into what kind of treatments they need." Then Ed says he helps guide patients through the mass of information about natural alternatives. Jones says "we maintain a computer that is completely medically based no one can argue with the information.

And a lot more are coming through his doors for help and information. Caroline Decosimo says "about 4/5 years ago not feeling so well and didn't want to go the drug route and started coming here." Caroline wanted to boost her immune system, and she also wanted something to battle a constant sore throat.. So Caroline takes astragalus and olive leaf . She says "anytime anybody says I have a sore throat I say go get astragalus."

Sidni Wheatcroft was constantly stressed, and unable to get a good nights sleep. "I actually tried ashwanganda and eleuthero and they helped with my stress help me remain calm and also helped me sleep at night."

While more and more people are starting to do research and take ownership when it comes to their health, doctors and those in the medical profession are starting to take notice, but the majority are still skeptical when it comes to natural alternatives and treatments. Jones says "we are now seeing more medical schools starting to embrace it, but it will be a decade before that filters down to the level of the consumers." But the consumer of the past, is not the consumer of the present or future.. They are becoming a lot more knowledgeable looking for more natural and alternative ways to stay healthy.

Jones says "we are finding a lot of ancient tonics are resurfacing again like go-gee berry." "People drink it because you get more stamina more energy mood enhanced, you can either drink the juice or eat the berry."

And there is so much more. The shelves are full when it comes to natural alternatives. But as with anything check with your doctor before taking anything new.
from WRCB TV

Anti-HIV activity of olive leaf and synergism with HAART.
Lee-Huang S, Huang P, Huang P.
Background: Many AIDS patients use olive leaf to strengthen the immune system, relieve chronic fatigue, treat KS and HSV, and reduce the side effects of HAART. However, little is known about the anti-HIV activity of olive leaf and whether it interacts with HAART drugs. This imperils patients who use olive leaf along with prescription HIV drugs. Thus, investigations on the anti-HIV properties of olive leaf and its interactions with HIV drugs are of great significance and urgently needed. Methods: Anti-HIV activity was assayed by syncytia formation and p24 expression. MTT assay was used to measure HIV-induced cytopathic effect. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT assay on uninfected cells. Cellular targets were identified by cDNA microarrays and proteomics. The interaction between olive leaf and HAART was carried out using a checkerboard design. A modified version of Prichard and Shipman's MacSynergy II was used to analyze the assay results. Results: olive leaf inhibits acute infection and cell-to-cell transmission of HIV-1. It demonstrates dose-dependent inhibition of syncytia formation and p24 expression, with EC50's of 0.3 mug/ml. olive leaf is not toxic to uninfected target cells over a 10,000-fold concentration range. cDNA microarrays demonstrate that HIV-1 infection modulates the expression profile of cellular genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cytokine signaling. Treatment with olive leaf reverses these changes. Combination antiviral assays demonstrate that olive leaf exhibits synergistic interactions with both AZT and 3TC. The synergism between olive leaf and 3TC is about 10-fold greater than that between olive leaf and AZT. Conclusion This is the first characterization of the anti-HIV activity of olive leaf. Our results demonstrate synergism between olive leaf and HAART. This information should help in rational design of HIV treatment regimens that incorporate olive leaf. We also systematically identify cellular targets associated with infection and olive leaf treatment. These results may offer new targets for treatment.
New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States