Hi Michael,

Good post! I was sitting here wondering how to nutshell a response to you...and I've never been good at that, but I'll try. :)

First, it is important to know that olive leaf extract has been used as a non-toxic remedy for thousands of years. It has a very interesting history.

In 1969, researchers performing molecular analyses in a well known pharmaceutical company in Michigan uncovered the main antimicrobial ingredient present in the phenolic compound Oleuropein which was isolated from the olive leaf.
This antimicrobial ingredient was identified as the calcium salt of elenolic acid; chemically known as calcium elenolate.

It was found by the researchers for the pharmaceutical company to inhibit the growth of EVERY virus, bacterium, fungus, yeast and protozoon that it was tested against.

They wanted to introduce it to the marketplace as a patented new drug - a virucide...because there weren't any protected by patent and available for sale at that time.

But, the pharmaceutical company researchers couldn't find a way to stop the calcium elenolate from binding to proteins in blood serum which rendered it ineffective. So, they made a business decision to discontinue the research and their plans to commercialize it were finished.

But, another research company continued on where the pharmaceutical company left off and they developed a proprietary process which they went on to patent. On their website you can read about this and why it makes their product 'different'. But I have had good results using another brand but may give theirs a try as well and see if I notice a difference.

Yes, you can think of Olive Leaf Extract as a food since you can grow your own tree and make a tea from the leaves. That works too!

In the 220+ page book I referenced in my other note, it is filled with facts from research of the worlds's published medical literature on olive tree related products and from files and personal interviews, by the author, of informed health professionals who have used it to treat patients. Doctors in the U.S. and Canada are quoted and mentioned in the book.

An interesting side note* The Hungarian government had adopted OLE as it's official anti-infectious disease remedy.

What interests me is that it is known that because of immune system degradation among many in the western industrialized countries, we are suffering from often inexplicable afflictions brought on by certain disease producing microorganisms that have no known treatments. Many patients are left on their own to figure out how to best help themselves. Most physicians are not trained in how to help people uplevel their health or in preventive health care. They are trained to diagnose and use medicine. Period.

In the case of people with weakened immune systems from cancer treatments or the use of drugs to keep from rejecting transplanted organs, or the long term usage of broad spectrum antibiotics for treating infections (this is what is impacting the lives of many who are unhealthy and trying to figure out what their problem really is)... these people are targets for all sorts of additional problems such as fungal infections.

So, along with many new viruses, there is a rising tide of treatment resistant fungi.

A quote from the book..."While we've become accustomed to appreciating the problems of antibacterial resistance, this level of resistance by fungi to antifungal drugs is historically unprecedented," says Thomas J. Walsh, M.D., head of the immunocompromised host division of the National Cancer Institute of Bethesda, Maryland.

Unlike bacteria, fungi have chromosomes, cells with a true nucleus bounded by a nuclear membrance and exhibit mitosis. Because their cellular structure is so similar to our own, it is difficult to develop drugs that inhibit their growth WITHOUT acceptable toxicity.

Synthetic antifungal drugs are just too poisonous to use. Their adverse side effects are overwhelming.

So, in contrast...Olive leaf extract (OLE) is nontoxic in the recommended dosages and it has the ability to kill the invading fungus rather than merely inhibiting it's growth.

Today, I went into a health food/nutrition store and had a lengthy chat with an assistant manager. She told me that she is hearing all sorts of wonderful testimonies from the people who walk in to buy OLE and then return to buy it over and over. She used gave it to her dog that was on the verge of being put to sleep from old age problems and she said he is a new dog now - with beautiful fur and his body has filled out again like a younger pup. Said he is all feisty and playful. :)

Dr. Walker's book mentions so many therapeutic applications...to numerous to mention in this post. I would suggest that anyone read the book before trying OLE.

The book does speak about a possible 'die off' reaction of the toxins in our bodies...so one would need to start slowly if they are really ill AND drink lots of water to help assist in the elimination of the bad stuff from your body. This is helpful information since it may frighten some who have never experienced a Herxheimer ('die off') reaction when beginning a nutritional supplement that is powerful enough to begin the necessary 'housecleaning' in your body.

Michael...since you seemed so interested:
My CFIDS started in 1984. I developed swollen glands and fever after our home flooded during a hurricane. Felt flu-y a lot. Then I developed a lung infection that lasted five months. I was given several rounds of powerful antibiotics which only made me worse.

Finally the doctor said the strange infection would just have to 'run it's course' and threw up his hands after he had exhausted his 'guesses'. I was incredibly weak. Overheard the doctor speak to the nurse about checking me for leukemia. It was a frustrating time since I had put my faith in the medical community and they were puzzled. In the meantime, I mostly slept and barely functioned.

I had been exposed to high levels of mycotoxins after the flood and during the repairs - wet sheetrock and insulation and furniture, etc.
Now it is thought I probably had a serious aspergillus infection in my lungs. From breathing mycotoxins in after our flooding.

Currently, the word is spreading about how dangerous it is to live in a home during repairs from water damage that causes mold problems. There have been several tv programs lately in our viewing area that are addressing this danger. Many people have become ill and there is a new clinic north of Houston that now addresses this problem and treating people coming in from all over the world. They use nutritionals! I have a friend who is going there right now after her home flooded and she became ill. It is expensive though. Very. She is still undergoing the diagnostic testing for antibodies to the dangerous mycotoxins from the fungi and molds she was exposed to.

A good place to learn more about the molds that make us sick and can lead to major illnesses can be found at http://www.mrmildew.com in his glossary.

During the repair of my home and with new furnishings and the installation of new carpet, I got even MORE ill. That was overloading my already weakened system. Formaldehyde, on all the new fabrics as a finishing agent, was just about my undoing!

Sick house syndrome. Multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) - Environmental Illness. I became a doctor's worst nightmare since many aren't equipped to handle these kind of patients.

Since then, I have had dramatic and exaggerated reactions to common medications and ended up with some scary infections that resulted in cultures that frightened the doctor since they were considered life threatening.

I went to many specialists and got the CFIDS diagnosis. Fortunately, I did find a really good M.D. about a hundred miles away. I read a book he co-authored (with this same Dr. Walker who wrote this one about OLE) on systemic fungal infections many years ago (out of print now) and located this wise doctor because of finding out about him through the book.

He treats nutritionally and helped to guide me back to an improved state of health. But it is an ongoing challenge since we still live on the coast and have flooded repeatedly during tropical storms and hurricanes and even just spring-time rain downpours. I'll be so glad when we can move farther inland and I want to live high up on a hill someday! :)

I won't elaborate more about my health history on this board since it's not the place...but thank you for your interest and it does sound like you have a good grasp on understanding the problems associated with CFIDS and MCS, and probably most other disorders as well.

So, the bottom line is that in my weakened state and recovery from mold related illness, I was hit by multiple things that simple nutrients weren't always successfully addressing.

So, learning about and trying OLE gives me renewed hope that it is one more thing I can add for my personal use... but of course I DO totally believe that everyone has to read and educate themselves until they are convinced that giving any nutrient a try is a valid use of their money.

But, for people like me, I do believe it is worth a shot. It's only been three weeks and maybe it is just a coincidence that I am feeling better than usual, but if all the research that has been done on OLE is to be believed, then it doesn't seem strange to me that I am responding positively to it...so far.

Whew! This wasn't a 'nut shell' response Michael. Sorry. :)

Best Wishes!
Amber




Information about nasty molds that produce myotoxins that can make you very ill!