Are Olives a Miracle Drug?

The reading and research I've done over the past few days would lead me to believe so.

One of my clients is about to launch a new product that contains olive leaf, so to give "proof" to our claims of it's effectiveness, I started reading.

I learned that the use of dried olive leaf dates back to the ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean cultures, and is even cited in the Bible. That's a pretty long history of healing!

Clinical evidence has proven the blood pressure lowering effects of carefully extracted olive leaf extracts, and bioassays support its antibactrial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.

But the benefits don't stop with the leaf. Olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It's protective function in the stomach has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis, and because it activates teh secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones more naturally than precription drugs, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

Studies on rats are now showing that olive oil reduces the risk of colon cancer - rating almost as high as fish oil in that regard.

Every report I read recommended taking two tablespoons of virgin olive oil daily. Of course, they recommend using it to replace other oils in your diet rather than just adding olive oil.

While all olive oil is good, the best is Extra Virgin - because it has not been overly processed and does not contain any other oils. Thus it has higher levels of antioxidants.

I also learned that your olive oil should be kept in a cool dark place, tightly sealed.

Contrary to popular hype, canola oil does not have the beneficial properties of olive oil - and may even contain a dangerous fatty acid. (I've been trying to stay away from that one for years - which unfortunately limits eating out.)

Olive oil burns easily, so for frying, nutrition experts recommend coconut oil. Because of its composition, the heat won't transition the oil into dangerous trans fatty acids.

Yours for good health - and good eating!
Marte

Natural cures for high cholesterol

Yesterday we talked about the dangers of Vytorin. I have learned since then that the drug Baycol was removed from the market after numerous deaths were attributed to its use.

Since all pharmaceuticals carry risk, and since cholesterol drugs seem to carry side effects that lead to death, it seems like it might be a good idea to see what you can do without drugs.

According to the Mayo Clinic site, the first thing to do is reduce the amount of saturated and trans fats in your diet. Unfortunately, that means staying away from store-bought cookies, crackers, and cakes. (unless you read the ingredients and find there are no trans fats)

Next, add some good foods: oatmeal and oat bran, walnuts and almonds (in moderation, of course, because they're high in calories), fish and omega-3 fatty acids (like ground flaxeed), olive oil, and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols. (Look for this on the labels of margarines, orange juice, and yogurt drinks.)

What else can you do? Research has shown that the following natural supplements can be of benefit. Just remember that each body is different, and what works for one might not work for another.

• B Vitamins
• Carnitine
• Chromium
• Coenzyme Q10
• Garlic
• Grape Seed Extract
• Pantothine
• Red yeast rice
• Royal Jelly
• Soy
• Vitamin C

I always recommend doing your own research. You'll find a myriad of resources on line, as well as in natural health books.

One of my favorites is A Drug-Free Approach to Health Care by Dr. David Tanton. In it, Dr. Tanton outlines the many natural remedies available for all of our common health concerns - and some that are not so common.

Natural Cures for High Cholesterol

If cholesterol reducing drugs scare you as much as they do me, you'll be glad to hear that oatmeal and oat bran are both good at reducing cholesterol- because they're rich in soluble fiber.

You do need to eat quite a bit of it, so make oatmeal a routine, and add a bit of oat bran to give it a boost. You can also find a recipe on the Quaker Oat Bran box for making a delicious loaf of cholesterol-reducing bread.