New Study hopes to unlock benefits of Olive Leaf Extract

The cardiovascular health benefits of Olive Leaf Extract are well documented, but there is still room to study the many other health-supporting qualities of this ancient natural remedy.

Announcing the commencement of an Olive Leaf Extract Study, Comvita New Zealand, one of the world’s largest producers of fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract, is proud to be awarded funds by the Ministry of Science (MSI) to undertake clinical trials.

The aim of the clinical trials is to use science to extend our knowledge of the many benefits to consumers of taking Olive Leaf Extract, says Comvita Chief Technical Officer Dr. Ralf Schlothauer.

“Comvita’s confidence in Olive Leaf Extract is such that we are committed to making the investment in the dietary intervention study and matching the MSI investment funding.”

Recently voted the 2011 Favourite Health and Wellbeing product of the Year by a leading Australian magazine, Olive Leaf Extract has many loyal consumer fans around the world, says Schlothauer.

The clinical trials are being conducted in New Zealand, by The University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute through Auckland Uniservices Ltd., and in the UK, by the University of Reading. A small-scale, pre-study bioavailability trial is being held at the Liggins Institute, to confirm the proposed doses to be used for the main trial.

The first clinical trial is a larger bioavailability one, led by Professor Ian Rowland at the University of Reading and their Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, with the aim of better understanding the absorption and metabolism of Olive Leaf Extract.

The second clinical trial will have 47 male participants and will be managed by The Liggins Institute. Director and Principal Investigator, Professor Wayne Cutfield, says it will be a blinded, randomised cross-over trial.

UK-based, independent consultant, Dr. Michele Sadler will be advising the researchers on all the trials, with results anticipated by mid-2012.

Schlothauer says Comvita hopes the trials will provide further validation of Olive Leaf Extract for increasingly discerning consumers, as well as gaining approval for a health claim by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract is a potent antioxidant with 400% more antioxidant power than the equivalent amount of Vitamin C.¹

ENDS

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