As cardiovascular health remains a leading global concern, proactive blood lipid
management is becoming an increasingly important focus within the nutraceutical
industry. Consumers are seeking natural, safe, and clinically validated solutions to
help maintain healthy cholesterol levels before pharmaceutical intervention becomes
necessary. This shift is particularly relevant following regulatory changes around
Monacolin K from red yeast rice, creating a clear need for efective alternatives.
A newly published, narrative review in Food & Function reports that olive leaf
polyphenols, like Olecol®, can beneficially modulate lipid parameters, oxidative stress,
inflammation, and vascular function.
The study was conducted by Solabia Nutrition’s internal R&D team in collaboration
with Maastricht University researchers.
Olecol®: olive leaf polyphenols for healthy blood and healthy aging
Olecol® is a clinically validated extract derived from freshly pruned Spanish olive
leaves (Manzanilla variety), standardized for key polyphenols including oleuropein and
hydroxytyrosol.
Clinical data demonstrates that Olecol® significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, and triglycerides at a daily dose of 250 mg. With its strong safety profile
and natural origin, Olecol® represents a compelling alternative to Monacolin K,
supporting blood lipid management without the regulatory and safety concerns
associated with red yeast rice.
The Study:
Efects of olive leaf polyphenols on blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk markers
in healthy and at-risk populations: a narrative review – full text available here.
Study Overview & Methods:
This narrative review synthesizes clinical and mechanistic evidence on the efects of
olive leaf and olive oil polyphenols on blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk
markers in both healthy and at-risk populations.
Clinical studies using standardized olive leaf extracts or olive oil preparations with
defined phenolic content were included. Multi-ingredient formulations containing
additional bioactive compounds were excluded to isolate the efects of olive-derived
polyphenols. Data were analyzed across diferent populations, including healthy
individuals, those with cardiovascular risk factors, overweight or obese individuals,
and hyperlipidaemic subjects. Mechanistic insights from preclinical models were also
incorporated.
Results:
The findings demonstrate that olive-derived polyphenols exert populationdependent benefits:
• In healthy individuals, improvements were primarily observed in oxidative
stress and vascular markers
• In individuals with elevated cardiovascular risk, more consistent reductions
were seen in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and oxidised LDL
• Postmenopausal and mildly hyperlipidaemic individuals showed meaningful
improvements, particularly with longer supplementation.
Mechanistic studies indicate that olive polyphenols influence lipid metabolism and
vascular function through AMPK activation, suppression of SREBP-1c, modulation of
PPAR pathways, enhancement of antioxidant defences via Nrf2 signalling, and
attenuation of inflammatory pathways including NF-κB and MAPK.
Addressing a growing market need
With increasing scrutiny on Monacolin K and a growing demand for natural, safe, and
efective lipid management solutions, Olecol® ofers a scientifically substantiated
alternative for the nutraceutical market. Its clinically demonstrated efcacy,
combined with a strong safety profile, positions it as a next-generation ingredient for
cardiovascular health and healthy aging applications.
