Is Olive Leaf Extract a Natural Way to Lower Blood Pressure?

Most prescription medications used to treat hypertension have side-effects - sometimes significant ones such as lightheadedness, dizziness and sexual dysfunction. No wonder more people are looking for natural ways to lower blood pressure. According to a recent study, an extract from the olive leaf could be a way to bring those high pressures down without the side effects and expense of conventional blood pressure medications.

Olive Leaf Extract: A Way to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally?

In a study published in the journal Phytonutrients, researchers designed a double-blind, randomized study to test the blood pressure lowering effects of olive leaf extract. They gave one group of patients 500 milligrams of olive leaf extract twice a day for two months. Another group took Captopril, a commonly used medication for lowering blood pressure. Blood pressures were monitored closely in each group.

The results? Both groups experienced reductions in their systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Surprisingly, the blood pressure-reducing effects of olive leaf extract were equal to those of Captopril 12.5 milligrams twice a day. Captopril is a drug doctors frequently use to lower high blood pressure, but it has side-effects such as a nagging, dry cough, which make it difficult for some people to tolerate.

The group who took olive leaf extract got an additional bonus. Olive leaf extract lowered their triglyceride levels - another heart-healthy benefit. Elevated triglyceride levels are independently associated with a higher risk of heart disease.

What is Olive Leaf Extract?

Olive leaves are picked from the olive tree and a special process is used to extract the active ingredients. The olive leaf is a good source of two antioxidants called hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein that protect cells from damage due to free radicals. According to some studies, it has anti-inflammatory effects and kills some bacteria and fungi. It also lowers cholesterol levels and, at least in animals, helps the body use insulin more efficiently. This could help ward off type-2 diabetes if it applies to humans too.

How Does It Lower Blood Pressure?

Researchers believe it may act by the same pathways that some commonly prescribed blood pressure lowering medications like ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers do - but without the side-effects.

The Bottom Line?

Olive leaf extract could be a promising way to lower blood pressure naturally - and with its other potential benefits it could be a better choice for people with high triglyceride or lipid levels. It appears to be safe and can be found in some health food stores and online. If you take this supplement for blood pressure, be sure to ask your health care provider first.

References:

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "Olive Leaf Extract"

Nutraingredients.com. "Olive Leaf Extract May Help Hypertension"