Olive Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Olive Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Olive, a plant native to the Mediterranean, parts of Africa, and Asia, is generally considered safe when consumed in normal food amounts. Olive leaf extract, providing 51-100 mg of oleuropein daily, has been used for 6-8 weeks with apparent safety. However, there's limited information available about the safety of olive fruit extract in larger quantities. Regarding pregnancy and lactation, it's best to stick with the amounts commonly found in foods due to insufficient data.

How Does Olive Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Olive's active components are found in its fruit and leaves. Oleuropein, a polyphenol present in olive leaves, is believed to be the key player, with levels of 264 mg/gram in dry leaves. Olive leaf extract exhibits various effects:

• Antimicrobial Effects: Olive leaf extract has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties, with compounds called secoiridoides, like oleuropein, exhibiting broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
• Antioxidant Effects: Laboratory research suggests that olive leaf extract possesses antioxidant capabilities. Oleuropein, a leaf constituent, is believed to contribute to this antioxidant activity.
• Antiviral Effects: Early research indicates that olive leaf extract may have antiviral potential, particularly against HIV. In vitro studies show its ability to inhibit HIV-1 transmission and replication.
• Bone Effects: Olive leaf is being explored for its potential benefits on bone health. Oleuropein may play a role in increasing the number and activity of osteoblasts, cells involved in bone formation.
• Hypoglycemic Effects: Human studies suggest that olive leaf extract's impact on insulin response is possibly linked to improved pancreatic beta cell function and a reduction in inflammatory mediators.

Pharmacokinetics

After taking olive leaf extract, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol metabolites are detected in the bloodstream. In males, the bioavailability of olive phenolics may be higher than in females. Conjugated hydroxytyrosol metabolites make up the majority of olive phenolic metabolites in the plasma. These metabolites peak in the blood within 64-80 minutes and are cleared within 240 minutes. Metabolites of hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein are also found in the plasma. Conjugated metabolites of hydroxytyrosol appear in the urine, with recovery occurring within 8 hours.

Interaction Overview (See Bottom of Page For Full List)

No known interactions with drugs, supplements, conditions, or lab tests have been reported regarding olive consumption.

Common Side Effects To Watch For

Common side effects of olive consumption, especially when taken orally, include headaches and stomach discomfort. There have been no significant reports of dermatologic, gastrointestinal, neurologic, psychiatric, or pulmonary/respiratory side effects.

Are Supplements Standardized?

Olive leaf extract is occasionally standardized for its polyphenol content. For instance, specific olive leaf extracts used in clinical research have been standardized to contain certain polyphenols, such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, at specified doses.

What Is Olive Typically Used For?

Olive has sparked interest in various health applications, but there's insufficient evidence to provide definitive ratings for its effectiveness. Some of these potential uses include:

• Dyspepsia: The effect of oral olive leaf extract, used alone, on this condition is unclear.
• Exercise-Induced Respiratory Infections: The benefits of olive leaf extract in reducing such infections are yet to be confirmed.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Though there's interest in using olive leaf for GERD, clinical data on its efficacy are lacking.
• Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Olive leaf's potential for shingles treatment is under investigation, with no conclusive results yet.
• Influenza: While there's interest in using olive leaf for influenza, the clinical evidence remains insufficient.
• Metabolic Syndrome: The benefits of oral olive leaf extract in improving body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome require further study.
• Osteoarthritis: The effectiveness of oral olive fruit or leaf extract for improving osteoarthritis symptoms is not yet established.
• Osteoporosis: The potential role of oral olive leaf extract in treating osteoporosis is still uncertain.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The efficacy of oral olive fruit extract in improving RA symptoms remains unclear.

Drugs that interact with Olive