Winter may be as far from your mind as a snowy Christmas, but now is the time to help boost your immunity in preparation for the winter season's coughs, colds and flu.
Nature's liquid gold derived from the fresh-picked leaves of the olive tree could be your secret weapon to help build a strong front-line winter defence with Comvita's Fresh-Picked™ Olive Leaf Extract, shown to have five times more antioxidant power than the equivalent amount of Vitamin C according to a scientific study.
Used for thousands of years as a medicinal remedy, the antioxidant-rich liquid was shown in research conducted at Australia's Southern Cross University (SCU) and published in The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, to be the most powerful, free radical scavenging antioxidant of 55 medicinal herbs.
Dr Stephen Hadges, General Practitioner and active member of the Australasian College of Anti-Ageing Medicine, Adelaide, says olive leaf extract has traditionally been used as a strong antimicrobial agent proving beneficial for supporting the immune system.
'Australian research has shown us that fresh-picked olive leaf extract helps provide powerful support and relief of symptoms of the common cold and flu, coughs and fever."
Dr Hadges said in order to build one's immune system in the pre-winter months for the prevention of winter colds and flu, a diet rich in antioxidants, plentiful fruit and vegetables, a good cleanliness routine, supported by adequate sleep and regular exercise is recommended.
'Antioxidants act as -free-radical scavengers, helping to quench free radical activity which are the cause of a weaker immune system and inflammation," Dr Hadges said.
Fresh-picked Olive leaf extract has been shown to contain a broad spectrum of over 20 potent antioxidants including Oleuropein, a polyphenol compound, which has been shown to be one of the most powerful antioxidants.
'Oleuropein has shown to have higher antioxidant activity than vitamin C and E because of the unique way it works in synergy with the other antioxidants found in olive leaves". Dr Hadges said
'Olive leaf extract also contains selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin C and betacarotene. These nutrients are important for the healthy functioning of the immune system and general good health".
Comvita's Olive Leaf Extract is uniquely produced using fresh-picked leaves. With careful harvesting and extraction processes in place, Comvita ensures Fresh-Picked Olive Leaf Extract retains all quality components, including antioxidants, to maximise its efficacy.
To this day, the olive leaf species cultivated at Comvita's farm in Coominya, Queensland, remains a closely held secret, having been carefully selected after rigorous research, to establish the highest antioxidant yield.
Comvita's Fresh-Picked™ Olive Leaf Extract is uniquely produced using fresh-picked leaves. Comvita's fresh-picked system and careful extraction process keeps their olive leaf extract as close to nature as possible by retaining all of the plant polyphenols that occur naturally in the olive leaf.
The olive trees cultivated on Comvita's Queensland plantations are from a carefully selected species, identified from years of rigorous research to have the highest antioxidant yield.
www.olea.com.au
www.facebook.com/ComvitaOliveLeafExtract
Question: What are your three top tips for staying fit and healthy during the cooler months?
Emma Seib: 1. In winter I tend to eat mostly warming foods as well as more vitamin C-rich fruits such as an orange, a grapefruit or even a pineapple. The sweetness of the fruit gives your body the pick-me-up it needs and the Vitamin C and antioxidants may help to support your immune system, leaving you less susceptible to catching a cold or flu.
2. During the day, I sip on loose leaf peppermint or chamomile tea, with fresh lemon, fresh ginger and a spoonful of Manuka honey.
3. Regular exercise is important during the cooler months and I find the best way to keep motivated to continue with your exercise as the weather gets cooler is to stay toasty; heat your room in the morning to help you to get out of bed and get yourself some warm outer-activewear (think cashmere!) Also, during the winter season, coughs, colds and the flu are more common so to stay well and on track for your fitness goals, it's important to boost your immunity
Question: How do you use Comvita's Fresh-Picked™ Olive Leaf Extract?
Emma Seib: I take it daily to support my general wellbeing, by adding the olive leaf extract liquid into my morning smoothie. And for an extra immune boost, I take 15mL of Comvita Fresh-Picked Olive Leaf Extract.
Question: What are the advantages of Comvita's Fresh-Picked™ Olive Leaf Extract?
Emma Seib: An essential in my health regime is Comvita Fresh-Picked Olive Leaf Extract because it helps to support my immunity in preparation for the winter season's coughs, colds and flu. It is a powerful antioxidant, with five times more antioxidant activity than the equivalent amount of Vitamin C.
MORE