Diabetes Mellitus Treatment

Olive leaf is the leaf of the olive tree (Olea europaea). Although the health benefits of olive oil are well known, the leaf has been used medicinally for centuries. Olive trees are native to Asia, South America and Austrialia. They are cultivated in Mediterranean countries. The leaves were first used medicinally in Ancient Egypt and was a symbol of heavenly power. It was also used to mummify pharaohs.

Olive leaf was consumed in ancient times, as it was believed that eating the leaf would extend one’s life. In the 1800’s powder produced from the olive leaf were added to drinks to bring down fever. In the mid 1800’s the leaves were added to teas and drinks to help fight malaria.

Scientists have long tested olive leaf extract for its beneficial properties and have isolated the unique molecule that provides numerous health benefits. The molecule, known as oleuropein, is most widely known for lowering blood pressure. However, several studies have indicated oleuropein can protect cardiovascular and immune system, boost energy, promote healthy blood pressure, prevent diabetes, help against Alzheimer’s, lower bad cholesterol, and prevent cancer. Oleuropein is beneficial to these other conditions because of its high amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

The beauty about this disease fighting molecule is that it is found throughout the plant. Oleuropein is not only found in high concentrates in the leaves of the olive tree, but it is found in the tree and fruit itself.

From research and clinical experience it has been found that olive leaf (oleuropein) is beneficial in the treatment for conditions caused by, or associated with, a virus, retrovirus, bacterium or protozoan. Among those treatable conditions are: influenza, the common cold, candida infections, meningitis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), encephalitis, herpes I and II, human herpes virus 6 and 7, shingles (Herpes zoster), HIV/ARC/AIDS, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, malaria, dengue, severe diarrhea, and dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections.

As an antioxidant, Olive leaf extract protects those blood vessels from damage, and has been shown to be effective in protecting the heart from coronary occlusion. When taken over an extended period of time, it is believed to reverse arteriosclerosis. Olive leaves are astringent and antiseptic.

Olive leaf extract can work not only to prevent, but treat high blood pressure. Research show it relaxes the coronary arteries improving blood circulation to the heart.

Olive leaf extract has been shown to specifically target arterial resistance and stiffness, improving endothelial function and bringing blood pressure under control. Olive leaf extract helps relax blood vessels by increasing the production of nitric oxide.

Blood pressure is only one aspect of cardiovascular health. Maintaining healthy, clean arteries is just as important. Arteries can become clogged over time because plaques build up in the arterial wall. The plaque blocks arteries and reduce blood flow, which can trigger a heart attack or a stroke.

Research also indicates that olive leaf compounds inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Oxidation of LDL is one of the first steps toward the thickening of arteries and progress towards the condition of atherosclerosis. 

As an antioxidant, Olive leaf extract protects those blood vessels from damage, and has been shown to be effective in protecting the heart from coronary occlusion. When taken over an extended period of time, it is believed to reverse arteriosclerosis. Olive leaf extract contains polyphenol compounds that help reduce the formation of plaques in the arteries and reduce the risk of clots forming in the arteries.

Olive leaf extracts has the ability to lower blood glucose levels an important aspects in preventing and treating diabetes. In addition olive leaf extract can decrease insulin resistance and increase insulin production by the pancreas. The insulin control aspect of olive leaf extract is important in maintaining proper blood sugar levels. Olive leaf extract basically slows down the digestive process in the body. It helps regulate the amount of, and when, the body absorbs sugar.

The anti-inflammatory properties of olive leaf extract help treat and prevent several arthritis related conditions. Olive leaf extract has been successfully used to treat gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In addition, because of its anti-inflammatory properties it can be used to treat other joint pain.

Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. Olive life extract prevents the buildup of uric acid by inhibiting xanthine oxidase. Xanthine oxidase is responsible for the accumulation of uric acid in joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by olive leaf extract. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when inflammation in your body targets your joints. Olive leaf extract’s anti-inflammatory properteries can inhibit the inflammation in joints and reduce, even remove, the pain caused by arthritis. When administered at the earliest sign of arthritis olive leaf extract prevented symptoms from developing. When administered after arthritis was fully developed, there was significant improvement in inflammatory changes to joints. These effects can also benefit people withosteoarthritis by improving joint swelling through olive leaf extract’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies show that oleuropein’s antioxidant effects help it fight cancer formation at its earliest stages. Antioxidants do protect against cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and many other age-related ailments so greatly improving the quality of life as we grow older.

Olive leaf extract contains some of the strongest natural antioxidants discovered, much stronger than vitamin C and green tea and it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Compounds in olive leaf extract appear to inhibit the sequence of events leading to certain cancer formation in humans.

The key aspect of olive leaf extract in fighting cancer is inhibiting, and in some cases destroying, the growth of cancerous cells and tumors in the body. Oleuropein also suppresses an enzyme cancer cells rely on to derive and store energy from dietary carbohydrates. This inhibits their growth and disrupts signaling pathways; preventing the cancerous cells from growing. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of olive leaf extract help inhibit the growth of tumors and cancerous cells.

The process of living, including chemical reactions taking place inside our bodies as well as external influences such as radiation and pollution imposing from the outside, results in the formation of electrically unstable molecules within us called free radicals.

In their attempt to reach equilibrium free radicals bombard and damage body cells, until they are neutralized or “quenched” by substances called antioxidants, substances commonly found in fruit and vegetables.

Antioxidants thus end the destructive life of free radicals. By so doing they are thought to slow down the ageing process of cells and people.

Olive leaf extract provides a high level of protection for the brain including helping the blood-brain barrier. Olive leaf extract during a time of immune-support need will provide protection to your nerves in part by supporting the integrity of your blood-brain barrier. This provides another aspect as to why olive leaf extract is so helpful during times of immune-related need. In addition, olive extracts help protect the brain from the destruction brought on by strokes and age-related degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s by suppressing inflammation and reducing the damage done by oxidative stress.

Olive leaf extract is a supplement derived from the leaves of the plant that bears olives and contains oleuropein. The Mediterranean diet uses olive oil as a staple of the diet. Traditional folk stories have suggested that people maintaining a Mediterranean diet is able to experience several anti-aging benefits from the diet. Olive leaf extract can provide the same anti-aging and disease fighting characteristics people on a Mediterranean diet experience.

Currently scientific evidence has shown that these extracts have a remarkable impact on several health conditions and diseases as well as other age-related chronic conditions. Evidence shows that oleuropein-rich olive leaf extracts help prevent many of the underlying factors leading to diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and arthritis.

Source : http://justnaturallyhealthy.com/

No, we’re not joking. Weed may be notorious for the munchies, late night trips to the drive-through, and many an hour stuck on the sofa, but researchers are beginning to wonder: why aren’t more cannabis users suffering from obesity? We’re about to give you all you need to know about how weed keeps you skinny: what researchers say about marijuana, weight, and diabetes.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Turns out, regular marijuana consumers have lower BMIs, a reduced risk of obesity, and perhaps even an easier time managing their weight.

Interesting, right? Here’s the scoop on how it all works:

Photo Credit: Flickr

Scientists at the University of Nebraska, the Harvard School of Public Health, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that marijuana users had a smaller waist circumference than those who had never used cannabis.

Another 2011 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology surveyed over 52,000 participants and found that overall, rates of obesity are about one-third lower among cannabis users. A bit of a conundrum, since on average, weed lovers consume around 600 more calories per day.

A study published last year in Obesity measured data from over 700 members of Canada’s Inuit community and found that on average, regular cannabis users had increased levels of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol HDL-C (good cholesterol) and slightly lower levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol LDL-C (bad cholesterol).

Turns out, the active component of cannabis may help kick your metabolism into overdrive.Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) stimulates the production of a little hormone called ghrelin. Ghrelin is well known to the science community as a potent appetite stimulator. In fact, it’s so potent that it’s often called “the hunger hormone.” However, while this sneaky little compound is what drives us to eat, ghrelin also plays a vital role in helping our bodies break down and metabolize carbohydrates.

So, weed may give us the munchies, but it also helps us better metabolize our food by stimulating the compounds necessary to break it down.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Three words: Fasting. Insulin. Levels. “Fasting insulin” refers to the insulin in your body prior to eating. Insulin is the hormone that helps our bodies regulate glucose, or blood sugars. These blood sugars provide vital energy for our cells, enabling them to function properly and keep us healthy.

Extremely low levels of fasting insulin is a sign of Type 1 diabetes, where the body cannot produce enough insulin naturally to provide cells with energy. However, fasting insulin levels that are too high are also dangerous, leading to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the hallmark signifier ofType 2 diabetes.

In studying over 4,600 test subjects, researchers found that regular marijuana users had fasting insulin levels up to 16% lower than their non-using counterparts. The same 2013 study also showed that the herb-friendly test subjects had a 17% lower levels of insulin resistance.

Too much insulin also promotes weight gain, as excess sugars are converted into stored fat. Too much excess stored fat leads to obesity. So far, obesity has been targeted as the number one cause of insulin resistance that leads to Type 2 diabetes.

The research emerging about the interplay between cannabinoids and insulin regulation may lead to some major breakthroughs in the prevention of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, which both are correlated to high levels of unused blood sugars that are ultimately stored as fat.

In conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise (even something as simple as an evening walk or an active lifestyle), some marijuana activists are turning to cannabis to help maintain a healthy weight.

“When you work with The Marijuana Diet you will watch your cravings drop away, and your mind become awake, aware, and creative,” explains Art Glass, Cannabis Activist and author of The Marijuana Diet. “Not only will it help you lose weight, but it will help you will find that you love the person that you are.”

Art wrote the eBook after losing 65 lbs using his own method. While the diet does incorporate cannabis, Art also walks readers through a process of healthy plant-based eating and simple exercise routines (hilariously termed as “sofa exercises”).

So, was it the weed or was it the healthy food and exercise? At this point, it looks like a good combination of all three.

Though no formal research has been done to put The Marijuana Diet to the official scientific test, one thing is certain: marijuana users are in fact skinnier than average, with lower BMIs, smaller waistlines, and less risk of developing obesity and diabetes.

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If you’re looking for amazing weed infused recipes that won’t ruin your diet, you’ve stumbled upon the right site. Check out these superfood wonders:

Is cannabis worth a try as a diet agent? You tell us. Have you or someone you know successfully lost weight with cannabis? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us a message in the comment section below, or give us a shout on social media. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!