Tag: health

The benefits of Olive Leaf Extract

Today’s post is all about Olive Leaf Extract.

Around this time of year many chemists and health food stores have big displays of this product along side other cold & flu preventatives.

I have always considered olive leaf extract a great supplement for the immune system. However, it helps the body with so much more than colds & flu.

The use of the products derived from the olive tree on human health dates back centuries. In several civilisations, the olive tree had and still has a very strong cultural and religious symbolism.

Recently, accumulating experimental and clinical studies have given support to the traditional beliefs of the health benefits provided by olives and olive derivatives.

 What is Olive Leaf Extract?

Olive leaf extract comes from the leaves of an olive plant. Just like olive oil, the extract from the plants leaves is chock full of potent antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids.

In particular, a polyphenol called oleuropein. This nutrient is thought to contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of olive leaf extract.

How does it improve our health?

Besides protecting the body from harmful free radicals, oleuropein is also a well-documented antiviral. The oleuropein works on the protein coat of the virus. It is thought to inactivate micro-organisms by dissolving the outer lining of the microbe and penetrating the infected cells.

For its antimicrobial properties, oleuropein can be used for the treatment of respiratory tract and intestinal infections.

In addition, studies have shown that olive leaf extract also supports fat loss by improving how efficiently insulin works in your body, thereby reducing the amount of fat your body stores.

Olive leaf extract also helps stimulate the immune system to destroy infectious organisms. This can prevent the onset of colds, flu, and a range of viruses, yeast, fungal and mould problems, bacterial infections and parasites.

Several different studies have shown that the therapeutic properties of olive leaf extract may help in –

  • Lowering inflammation.
  • Protecting the digestive system and the central nervous system.
  • Inhibiting microorganism growth and preventing oxidation or cell damage.
  • Stabilising blood sugar and lowering cholesterol.
  • Protecting the brain against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
  • Improving heart health and lowering blood pressure

Another beneficial compound found in olive leaf extract is oleanolic acid. A 2006 study found that this acid interacts with the body in a way that increases the metabolism. It also boosts the thyroid, and ultimately leads to increased energy.

 How much should we take?

There are no official guidelines on how much olive leaf extract a person should take. In the human studies discussed above, participants usually took 500–1,000 mg per day of a standard olive leaf extract. Some of these were in divided doses.                 (Sources – www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.hindawi.com, www.webmd.com,)

 There are so many research articles and other information available on the benefits of olive leaf extract, I could have written so much more.

Basically, I think that all of this information shows that this extract, taken from the leaves of olive trees, is so good for us. We should take it every day to stay well and healthy.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper.

Is Colloidal Silver good or bad for us?

Todays post is about Colloidal Silver.

Recently a colleague and I were discussing the use of colloidal silver for health. I realised that I had not come across any health related articles on this product, so I have done some research.

There are very few medical articles written about health benefits of colloidal silver. I was unable to find any published scientific studies advocating the ingestion of colloidal silver as a health remedy. Most scientific or medical articles I found did not support the use of this substance.

(Sources – www.healthline.com, www.webmd.com, www.tga.gov.au, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

In fact the Australian Food and Drug Administration have issued a warning in regards to colloidal silver.

“There are no products containing colloidal silver approved for marketing in Australia. With the exception of registered topical silver preparations, there is no evidence to support the safety or efficacy of silver regardless of its form or method of manufacture. In addition, silver has no known nutritional benefit and its well-defined toxicity can occur with all forms of the metal, including silver salts and colloids…… Patients seeking information on claimed benefits of colloidal silver should be advised of the lack of evidence for therapeutic benefit and the potential for toxicity associated with colloidal silver preparations.”

So what is it?

Colloidal silver is the term used to describe tiny particles of silver suspended in a liquid. The size of the silver particles in the liquid can vary; some are so tiny that they are referred to as “nanoparticles.” The solution can be found in various strengths, depending on how much silver it contains.

Before modern antibiotics were developed, it was used as an all-purpose remedy for various infections and illnesses.

Recently, it has experienced a revival in popularity. Those who use colloidal silver take it as a dietary supplement or apply it directly to their skin.

How is it meant to work?

It’s unknown exactly how colloidal silver works. However, research suggests that it attaches to proteins on the cell walls of bacteria, damaging their cell membranes.

Silver ions are released from the silver particles when they come into contact with moisture. They are considered to be the “biologically active” part of colloidal silver that gives it its medicinal properties.

 What are the side effects?

All of us are environmentally exposed to extremely small amounts of silver every day. It’s present in very tiny amounts in drinking water, the food supply and even the air we breathe. The amount in the environment is considered to be quite safe.

The environmental and health risks of silver nanoparticles are not well understood, given that nanoparticles are able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Ingesting colloidal silver is generally considered unsafe, possibly leading to a condition known as argyria.

Argyria (ahr-JIR-e-uh) presents as a blue-grey discolouration of the skin, eyes, nails and gums. Argyria doesn’t usually pose a serious health problem. However, it doesn’t go away when you stop taking silver products.

You are most at risk of developing argyria if you’re regularly ingesting silver or work in a job that exposes you to large amounts of silver.

It’s not clear how much silver may be harmful, but it can build up in your body’s tissues over months or years. Soluble silver compounds are also capable of accumulating in small amounts in the brain and in muscles

Rarely, excessive doses of colloidal silver can cause possibly irreversible serious health problems. These include kidney damage and neurological problems such as seizures.

Applying colloidal silver to your skin is considered less risky than ingesting it.

There are however, TGA approved therapeutic goods containing presentations of silver that remain appropriate, for example, topical silver nitrate for neonatal conjunctivitis or silver sulfadiazine for burns.

Well, I hope that helps anyone who was thinking about using colloidal silver for any health concerns. It is certainly not something that we would consider using without seeking professional advice.

 Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper

A condition called ‘Dry Eyes’

[Today’s post is about an eye condition called Dry Eyes.

Recently I was talking to a work colleague about this condition. It is a condition that I have also experienced.

For me it presented as really watery eyes in the morning, so much so that it looked like I was crying. When I spoke to the Optometrist I thought it really weird that the condition was called “Dry Eyes” because they were far from dry.

At the time I did a little research to learn more about the condition. It wasn’t until recently that I thought that others would also be interested in what I learned.

So, as most of us are aware, the tears provide moisture and lubrication to help you see and to keep the eyes comfortable.

What’s in a tear?

Tears are a mix of water, oils, mucus and 1500 different special proteins and antibodies that protect the eyes and keep infection at bay. All these ingredients come from special glands around the eye.

So, what is the condition ‘Dry Eyes’?

The condition ‘Dry eyes’ occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons.

What Causes it?

Sometimes, there’s a lack of balance in your tear-flow system. Items such as your air conditioner, heater, or other things around you could dry out your tear film. Other common causes include:

  • Certain medical conditions that affect your ability to make tears, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders and vitamin A deficiency
  • Side effects of certain medications including antihistamines and decongestants.
  • The natural ageing process, especially menopause
  • Laser eye surgery, though symptoms of dry eyes related to this procedure are usually temporary
  • Tear gland damage from inflammation
  • Or increased tear evaporation, which may be caused by; Wind, smoke or dry air, Blinking less often, for example, while reading, driving or watching a screen, or an imbalance in tear composition
There are several different symptoms.

For some it creates a scratchy sensation or the feeling that something is in the eye.

Sometimes, dry eyes create too many tears. This confusing condition is called reflex tearing. It happens because the lack of moisture irritates your eye. It sends a distress signal through your nervous system for more lubrication. Your body sends a flood of tears to try to make up for the dryness.

Other symptoms include stinging or burning, discharge, pain, and redness in the eye. People with dry eye may also feel as if their eyelids are heavy and may experience blurred vision.   

 How Are Dry Eyes Treated?

There are a number of options. Mild dry eye symptoms may be treated with over-the-counter medications such as artificial tears, gels, and ointments. Many types of drops are available over the counter. No one product works for everyone, so you might have to try a few to figure out the one that’s right for you.

There are also environmental and lifestyle changes you can make. Changes like reducing screen time and taking periodic eye breaks may help. Closing the eyes for a few minutes, or blinking repeatedly for a few seconds, may help to replenish tears and spread them more evenly across the eyes.

(Sources  – www.nei.nih.gov, www.webmd.com, www.mayoclinic.org)

I hope that you also found this information helpful. If you find you have ‘dry eye’ symptoms, it’s best to ask your eye care professional what to do. My own condition improved after just a couple of weeks using an over-the-counter eye drops.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper