The leaves of the olive plant (Olea europaea) have been used for centuries to treat diabetes.
In the last few decades laboratory and clinical research with polyphenols from the olive plant have shown promise for treating diabetes.
A clinical trial recently evaluated olive leaf on improving insulin action and cardiovascular risk in middle aged overweight men.
The results were published in the journal PLoS One.
Here are the details of the study
– Study design: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cross-over trial.
– Participants: 46 men with an average age of 46 years old and a BMI of 28
– Study agent: Olive leaf contained 51.1 mg oleuropein, 9.7 mg hydroxytyrosol per day given daily.
– Length of study: 12 weeks
Here are the main results
– Olive leaf improved insulin sensitivity by 15% *
– Olive leaf improved Beta cell responsiveness by 28% *
– Olive leaf increased fasting interleukin-6, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-2 concentrations *
Here are more research studies with olive leaf for improving health.
– Olive leaf did not change levels of interleukin-8, TNF-alpha, ultrasensitive CRP, lipid profile, blood pressure, body composition, liver function, or carotid intima-media thickness.
*Statistically significant
Here are comments by the authors
We have shown that supplementation with olive leaf polyphenols for 12 weeks improves two aspects of glucose regulation (both insulin action and secretion) in a cohort of overweight middle-aged men.
And
Overall, this is the largest and most comprehensive study to date examining the effect of supplemented olive leaf polyphenols alone on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Take away message
Insulin sensitivity was increased by 15%, which is similar to studies that have used metformin to achieve an improvement sensitivity by 17%. The results of this study suggest that insulin sensitivity and responsiveness can be improved by 28%. Overall this was achieved with a relatively small dose of olive leaf extract that included oleuropein (about 50 mg) and hydroxytyrosol (about 10 mg)
Reference
de Bock M, et al. Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf polyphenols improve insulin sensitivity in middle-aged overweight men: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e57622.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Antioxidant, Body weight, Clinical Trials, Diabetes, Plant Extracts