Impact of a Proprietary Standardized Olive Fruit Extract (SOFE) on Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index, Visual Analog Scale and C-Reactive Protein Assessments in Subjects with Arterial Stiffness Risk

Abstract

IntroductionThe chemical components of olive fruit provide a wide range of cardiovascular benefits. Arterial stiffness is an important cardiovascular risk factor and can be assessed using the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI).ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the impact of a proprietary standardized olive fruit extract (SOFE) in subjects at risk for arterial stiffness.MethodsTwelve of 36 subjects were assigned to each of the following groups for this 11-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study: Group 1: 250 mg SOFE—50 mg active ingredient, hydroxytyrosol (dosage achieved with two capsules per day); Group 2: 500 mg SOFE—100 mg active ingredient, hydroxytyrosol (dosage achieved with two capsules per day); and Group 3: placebo.ResultsAll three groups showed a decrease in CAVI scores, although no significant between-group differences were observed. Group 2 had the largest reduction, with mean CAVI scores decreasing from 11.02 to 8.91. Group 2 showed the strongest response in visual analog scale (VAS) energy intensity (11.71% increase). Results for C-reactive protein (CRP) blood levels showed no changes of statistical significance between groups. Mean triglyceride levels from Group 2 decreased by 21.64%, the most significant change among all three groups.ConclusionsSOFE, an olive fruit extract containing many of the phytochemicals shown to provide cardiovascular benefits, was safe and well-tolerated. SOFE 500 mg had a greater effect on CAVI scores, suggesting improved arterial elasticity, and a clear reduction in triglycerides compared with placebo and SOFE 250 mg. The decreased CAVI scores suggest that increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lowering triglycerides with SOFE could potentially reduce patients’ risk of developing atherosclerosis. Although more studies are needed, positive cardiovascular health trends, including improved vessel elasticity and positive triglyceride effects, were evident with SOFE.

Measuring the impact of olive pomace enriched biscuits on the gut microbiota and its metabolic activity in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects

“…Olive extracts have been reported to lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from baseline in both hypertensive and pre-hypertensive individuals [4–7] and to improve plasma lipid profiles in both normo-lipidaemic and hypercholesterolaemic subjects [4, 6, 8–10]. Olive extracts have also been found to induce acute reductions in arterial stiffness [11], which agrees with data suggesting that olive oil and olive extract significantly improve vascular function [12, 13] and blood pressure [14]. Currently, these improvements are thought to be associated with polyphenol-rich olive oil fractions rather than other bioactives which may be present [15, 16].…”

Olive juice dry extract containing hydroxytyrosol, as a nontoxic and safe substance: Results from pre-clinical studies and review of toxicological studies

“…No change in markers of liver and kidney functions, and other biochemical analysis parameters was noted ( i.e. , glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, urea, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine) [28] . The addition of 3.75 mg/day of polyphenols from olives, equivalent to 20 g/day of olive oil, added to a meat product, was not associated with any adverse effects in 35 healthy subjects after 4 weeks supplementation.…”

“…In human trials, the oral supplementation of HT, alone or combined with others compounds, has been reported to be associated with various beneficial health outcomes, such as improvement of cardiovascular parameters [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , insulin sensitivity [31] , [32] , gut microbiota [23] , [33] , regulation of various inflammatory diseases [21] , [22] , [29] , [34] , decrease in body weight and improvement in body composition [21] , [23] , [33] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] .…”