Is Olive Leaf Extract Safe for Kidneys? Benefits and Risks

Finding natural supplements or remedies to maintain your health is a great solution and one that more and more people are turning to. As we all turn to natural and alternative methods to support our health, it can be challenging to wade through all the information and figure out what is or is not good for our bodies. Kidney health is a major thing and nearly 15% of adults develop kidney disease.

Is olive leaf extract safe for kidneys? It is thought that olive leaf extract can provide positive benefits for your kidneys. It has many other health benefits as well. That being said, it is also important to be aware of safety and any potential adverse effects before you start taking a supplement like this.

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About Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract comes from olive leaves. The extract is taken from leaves freshly harvested from an olive tree. This type of medicine has been in use for many centuries. It’s known to be a great antioxidant and support your immune system. Olive leaf extract and other parts of the olive tree and fruit are all common in the Mediterranean. They are also popular for people who follow a Mediterranean diet.

For the purpose of an extract that is taken as a supplement or anything, the extract is used in concentrated form. Most people take it as a pill to get a certain amount in their diet. The extract has some compounds that are beneficial in their own ways, including things like polyphenols, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and more.

There are many benefits, but olive leaf extract is most known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial capabilities. It is these benefits that often help prevent other issues.

Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract is a natural supplement that comes from a plant. At its best, it provides numerous benefits to various parts of your health. However, keep in mind that while it has many benefits there may also be risks associated with using this medicine. Let’s first look at some of the well-known benefits and then we will break down the risks.

Antioxidant

The olive leaf extract has a natural source of antioxidants known as polyphenols. While it contains others, this is the most well-known and the biggest of what you will find in the breakdown. This particular antioxidant helps with many things, especially the reduction of oxidative stress. When you control oxidative stress from free radicals, your body feels relief from things like inflammation and fatigue. However, polyphenols are also known to help prevent osteoporosis and cognitive issues and even have an anti-cancer effect.

Olea Europaea is another part of the antioxidant properties. This one provides your body with a natural source of anti-inflammation, antimicrobial, and antiviral benefits. Olea Europaea is a very strong antioxidant and provides most of the benefits. 

Cardiovascular Support

Your heart health matters and you should take steps to be proactive when you can be. Heart health challenges are often tied to high cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol. When this bad cholesterol starts to build up, it can clog your arteries or cause plaque buildup in them. With clogged arteries, you can face serious health conditions like the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and more. These are just a few examples.

While olive leaf extract can help with your cardiovascular health, it does not fix functional issues such as arrhythmia. The clinical trials for this are still limited, but so far research doesn’t support the benefit with symptoms like these. When your heart is healthy and able to function properly, it benefits the rest of your body and organs too - like your kidneys.

Immune System

If you’ve ever looked into the Mediterranean diet, you know that one of the big advantages is boosting your immune system. We are plagued by so many chronic diseases that there are simply no cures for them. Here are a few that we face in human health:

• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Autoimmune disorders

While olive leaf extract certainly won’t cure these ailments, the effects of olive leaf can be beneficial in reducing their effects. It also may reduce the possibility of you facing one of these too. This is largely due to the Olea Europaea that we mentioned earlier, which directly fights viruses and bacteria out to harm your health.

Diabetic Risk Reduction

One of the most well-known and sought-after benefits of olive leaf extract and Olea Europaea is the ability to help reduce your risk of diabetes. This is thanks to those antioxidant activities we keep mentioning. They do so much for your body and your help. Olive leaf extract helps to reduce blood glucose levels so they can be maintained more easily and will improve insulin sensitivity.

When you can keep your blood sugar levels in check, you have much better luck controlling the likelihood of fighting diabetes. We know that diabetes can be incredibly hard on your kidneys and so can the sugar challenges. This is an indirect benefit of olive leaf extract for your kidneys.

Weight Control

Finally, another substantial benefit is weight loss and weight control. These studies are still fairly new and there is little to go on. However, we know that with benefits such as cardiovascular health, immune support, anti-inflammatory effects, and diabetic risk reduction, it certainly can contribute to weight management efforts.

While you cannot necessarily rely on this supplement for weight loss, it may help prevent weight gain for you. We also know that the Mediterranean diet has been a popular one for weight loss efforts. Adding this extract to a similar diet may be beneficial for your efforts, although there is no guarantee.

The Potential Risks of Olive Leaf Extract

You won’t find a single supplement or nutritional additive out there that doesn’t also come with some sort of risk. There are always risks. It’s important to be mindful of these risks and the potential for them to affect you. However, you should also know that there are plenty of people out there who take olive leaf extract and never experience them as well.

It’s up to you and maybe your healthcare provider to determine whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks for your health situation. Everyone is different. While Olea Europaea might pose a risk for someone due to a disorder or existing condition, it may be beneficial for your individual health needs. Let’s cover some of the risks just to be fully informed.

Generally speaking, this extract is considered to be safe for most people. That’s great news! Overall, studies feel as though olive leaf extract can help your kidney function perform better thanks to the antioxidant activities. In more recent years, some concerns have come to light about this supplement potentially putting extra stress on your kidneys, specifically from Olea Europaea.

While the immune boost, sugar regulation, inflammation reduction, and even weight management will all benefit your kidneys, the consumption of Olea Europaea found in olive leaf extract may force your kidneys to work extra hard, which is where the added stress to them comes from.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t use olive leaf extract, but it does mean you should be mindful and if you do have kidney disease or a pre-existing kidney diagnosis, it may be better to avoid this supplement. At the least, work with your healthcare provider to see what they recommend for your situation.

Some other risks include mild side effects that some people experience. Here are a few of those:

• Vertigo
• Gastric pains
• Headaches
• Coughing

These side effects are thought to be mild and non-life threatening so it all depends on your comfort level. If you do have these side effects and they persist or make you miserable, then cease taking the supplements.

Some people are allergic to olive leaf extract, which would be another risk to be aware of. It’s not necessarily the extract that they are allergic to but the pollen that is associated with the olive tree, which will affect the extract.

Finally, it is possible for olive leaf extract to interact with the medications that you are taking. This is why it is so important to work with your healthcare provider and ensure it’s safe for your situation. Since Olea Europaea can lower systolic blood pressure and blood sugar levels, this may not be a good fit for someone vulnerable to these things.

What Do The Experts Say?

The fact of the matter is that there is limited research and very few studies surrounding how olive leaf extract could impact your kidney health. Are there known benefits and potentially known risks? Sure! But there are also many unanswered questions that remain too. We know that Olea Europaea has many great benefits. There are studies that show this particular aspect to benefit the kidneys, which is where many believe olive leaf extract is safe for your kidneys.

Most experts suggest that olive leaf extract will likely be safe for your kidneys and not pose any serious threats. The key is to understand the dosage and use it appropriately. It is also important to ensure that before you take it, you consult with your doctor as they are familiar with your health and your medications. Remember that what is right for someone else may not be a great fit for your health.

In essence, while more research is needed to fully understand the effects of an extract of olive leaf on kidney function, current evidence suggests that it is likely safe. It does need to be used appropriately and following recommended dosage amounts. The recommended dosage is to stay within 500 to 1,000 milligrams per day for the health benefits associated with olive leaf extract.

Final Thoughts

So, is olive leaf extract safe for kidneys? Most studies and expert opinions believe that this supplement is primarily safe. There are some concerns that using high doses or overusing the supplement could put a strain on your kidneys. However, the majority believe that the benefits outweigh the risks overall.

Remember that you should work with a healthcare professional who can assess your health and your risks to help determine if it’s a good idea for you. There are many benefits to using olive leaf extract if it works for your health. Just make sure you know the whole picture and that you choose a high-quality supplement in the proper dosage range.

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The information being presented in this blog is intended to be used as educational or resource information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider. This content should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider. You should call 911 for all medical emergencies. Revive MD is not liable for any advice or information provided on this blog, which advice or information is provided on an “as-is” basis, and assumes no liability for diagnosis, treatment, decisions, or actions made in reliance upon any advice or information contained on this blog. No warranties, express or implied, are made on the information that is provided.