Solabia Nutrition review suggests olive leaf extract as safe alternative to Monacolin K

A narrative review has highlighted Olecol as a natural alternative to Monacolin K for blood lipid management. The olive leaf polyphenol extract has been shown to be effective in improving cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risks.

The Netherlands-based Solabia Nutrition and Maastricht University researchers brought together clinical evidence of Olecol’s effectiveness at a 250 mg daily dose. The review in Food & Function also reveals the ingredient’s benefits for people with cardiovascular risk factors.

Additionally, Solabia Nutrition touts Olecol’s potential to shine as a next-generation cardiovascular health ingredient and for healthy aging applications. 

The search for an alternative arises as regulatory and safety scrutiny over Monacolin K has intensified, with the EU reportedly planning restrictions on the compound due to safety concerns around muscle toxicity and liver effects. This natural compound is found in red yeast rice. In contrast, Olecol has been proven to be safe and clinically validated, positioning it favorably on the nutraceutical market.

Natural, safe alternative

Solabia Nutrition underscores the importance of heart health as cardiovascular disease remains a global threat to public health. According to cited research, the disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with mortality rates estimated to reach 35.6 million per year by 2050.

The company says Olecol can help improve and modulate lipid parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular function. It notes that consumers are seeking natural, safe, and clinically validated solutions to manage blood lipids before pharmaceutical intervention is required. 

Solabia Nutrition details that Olecol is sourced from freshly pruned Spanish olive tree leaves of the Manzanilla variety. It is also standardized for key polyphenols, such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol.

According to clinical data, Olecol significantly decreases total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides at 250 mg/day.

Population-based benefits and analysis

The review reveals that olive-derived polyphenols have population-dependent benefits.

Improvements in healthy people were seen in oxidative stress and vascular markers, whereas those with higher cardiovascular risk showed more consistent reductions in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and oxidized LDL cholesterol.

The polyphenols also showed meaningful improvements in postmenopausal women and mildly hyperlipidemic people, especially when supplementation was prolonged.

Additionally, studies detailed how olive polyphenols influence lipid metabolism and

vascular function. The mechanism involves AMPK activation to maintain energy homeostasis, suppression of fat production, modulation of receptors that control metabolic pathways, enhancement of antioxidant defenses, and attenuation of inflammatory pathways.

In other news, recent research found that virgin olive oil boosts memory and problem-solving skills, while refined olive oil reduces gut bacteria diversity that may mitigate cognitive health.

Earlier this year, the founder of Canaan Palestine spoke with Nutrition Insight about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, including how it benefits satiety and blood sugar control by triggering the release of GLP-1 hormones. His research is exploring how to extract oleocanthal from olive oil, which could offer anti-inflammatory benefits.