By Eleanor Reader
Whether you’ve eaten them with a fancy antipasto, nibbled them off the toothpick from your martini or simply scoffed them straight from the jar in the fridge, the truth is olives are doing you much more benefit then just being a tasty treat.
The Benefits
Olive trees, leaves and the delicious fruits themselves have each been proven to boost your health in different ways. The results do vary between which part of the olive tree you consume. For example, when the leaves are packed into a liquid Olive Leaf Extract, the health benefits will be larger than if you ate olive fruits everyday.
Each part of the olive tree is packed with vitamins A, D, K and E and has been proven to lower blood pressure, relieve fevers and colds, treat cardiovascular problems and assist heart function. Oh, and the list goes on to helping you lose weight, stopping premature aging and improving your sex life. Wow.
These are all major improvements when it comes to long term health, but another huge advantage of including olive based products in your life is they are an easy and all-natural way to improve your sense of well-being, give you much more energy and a healthier lease on life.
Here are some easy ways to up your olive intake.
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive Leaf Extract is a powerful antioxidant that packs the maximum amount of olive health benefits into one hit. With 400% more antioxidant power than the equivalent amount of Vitamin C, olive leaf extract is the best way to get more olive goodness into your body. This is an all-natural liquid extract made from freshly-picked olive leaves, so the best part is you aren’t putting any nasty chemicals into your body to enhance your health.
Rescu. Recommends: Olive Leaf Australia 500ml, RRP $39.95. Available at most pharmacies and health food stores nationwide. Call 1300 653 436 or see www.olea.com.au for stocklists.
Expert Advice
Naturopath Renee Livingston shares with Rescu. the health benefits of adding Fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract to your diet.
RESCU: How does Olive Leaf Extract work to improve our health?
Renee Livingston: Fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract helps improve health because of the very high level of polyphenols, which act in the whole body as a potent working synergy of antioxidants. These powerful antioxidants assist the support and maintenance of normal heart function and have also been traditionally used to boost the immune system. Studies have shown olive compounds such as Oleuropein may protect the heart and circulatory system by mobilising an antibody army to attack bad cholesterol. A study also found that this antibody was particularly boosted in people who consumed higher levels of polyphenols.
RESCU: When do you suggest people should begin taking Olive Leaf Extract?
Renee Livingston: Fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract is well tolerated and can be taken across a wide age group. Frequent use is advisable for optimal health, although starting with a smaller dose and building up to the full dose is advised for first time users.
RESCU: What are some health issues that would be helped by Olive Leaf Extract and how would it help?
Renee Livingston: Olive Leaf Extract may help to support normal cardiovascular function when challenged by Metabolic Syndrome, a broad life-style related condition, relieve fever and support the immune system.
RESCU: How often should you take Olive Leaf Extract to see results?
Renee Livingston: It is recommended that Olive Leaf Extract is taken daily for the best results. For winter ailments, the response time may take one or two days. For cardiovascular conditions results will be seen with longer term use. It is important to drink plenty of water especially when starting Olive Leaf Extract use.
Rescu. Recommends:
Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is a staple in anyone’s kitchen, but Australian-made award winning Cobram Estate Olive Oil is extra beneficial to your health. With a passion for purity, every stage of Cobram production from planting to picking, to processing and bottling is managed to produce the highest quality olive oil. Cholesterol and preservative free, it is an extremely easy and tasty way to boost your olive intake.
www.cobramestate.com.au
Olive Tree Organic Healthy Hair Mask – L’Occitane
Your hair can benefit from the powers of olive with this light and silky
cream treatment. Packed with olive tree extract, olive leaf, olive
water and olive oil your hair will be strengthened, soft and radiant.
250ml RRP $34.95. Call 02 8912 3000 for stockists.
Olive Repair Cream – Botani
A cream enriched with healing olive benefits that will soften and rejuvenate skin, as well as assisting in the prevention of stretch marks and the healing of scarring.
RRP $44,95. Available at Priceline, National Pharmacies and selected pharmacies.
Fresh Skin Moisturising Olive Scrub – St Ives
With ingredients like natural olive oil and olive leaf extract, this
creamy exfoliant will cleanse and condition your skin while stopping
pre-mature aging.
RRP $9.95. Call 02 8264 5400 for stocklists.
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