A Massey University researcher is seeking the participation of 60 New Zealand men in the 18-65 group to participate in her study to determine if olive leaf extract can cure heart diseases.
Stacey Lockyer, who recently moved from the University of Reading (UK) to pursue her PhD on the subject, said that men in the specified age group could be any ethnicity, provided they satisfied some selection criteria.
“They should be non-smokers, living in the Auckland region, not under any medication for blood pressure or cholesterol. They should be willing to forgo olive-based products for four months, which is the duration of the study,” she said.
The participants should also be free from sterol-enriched products.
While the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda has taught the importance of olive (its leaf and oil), there has been no proven research on the effect of olive leaf extract on heart diseases.
Ruthless killer
Dr Welma Stonehouse of the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Human Health is supervising the study undertaken by Stacey.
“Heart disease continues to reign as one of the biggest killers in New Zealand. Men taking part in this study will contribute towards establishing a scientifically-proven natural strategy to maintain a healthy heart,” Dr Stonehouse said.
Comvita New Zealand is sponsoring the research project.
The Company’s Technology Officer Dr Ralf Schlothauer said that there was no research undertaken thus far to find out if olive leaf extract cured heart diseases.
“A recently published study by the Liggins Institute of the University of Auckland found that olive leaf improves insulin sensitivity in middle-aged men. We are therefore keen to find out what can happen for heart disease markers,” he said.
Further information can be obtained on telephone (09) 4140800 (Extension 41183). Email: s.lockyer@massey.ac.nz; Website: www.massey.ac.nz/olive
PhD student Stacey Lockyer
