Is olive leaf extract safe to take while breastfeeding?

Is Olive Leaf Extract Safe to Take While Breastfeeding?
The safety of olive leaf extract during breastfeeding is a topic of growing interest among nursing mothers seeking natural remedies. While olive leaf extract has been praised for its potential health benefits, including antioxidant properties and immune support, the lack of clinical studies specifically involving breastfeeding mothers raises important questions about its safety.
Lack of Clinical Research
Currently, there are no clinical studies that have directly assessed the effects of olive leaf extract on breastfeeding mothers or their infants. This absence of research means that healthcare professionals often advise caution. Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, a medical expert, emphasizes that without clinical evidence, it is difficult to ascertain the safety of olive leaf extract during lactation.
Potential Effects on Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure
One of the concerns regarding olive leaf extract is its ability to lower blood sugar and blood pressure. This could pose risks, particularly for mothers who may already be managing these conditions. The general recommendation is to avoid olive leaf extract while breastfeeding, especially if the mother has underlying health issues that could be exacerbated by these effects.
General Safety Considerations
While olive leaf extract is considered safe for most people and has been a staple in the Mediterranean diet for centuries, its regulation as a nutritional supplement is minimal. Agencies like the Food and Drug Administration do not oversee these products as rigorously as pharmaceuticals, which adds another layer of uncertainty regarding their use.
Moreover, anecdotal evidence suggests that some mothers have used olive leaf extract without reported adverse effects, but this does not provide a guarantee of safety. The extract is sometimes administered to older children in smaller doses, indicating a level of tolerance, yet this practice does not extend to breastfeeding infants.
Conclusion
In summary, while olive leaf extract is generally regarded as safe for the general population, its use during breastfeeding remains uncertain due to the lack of specific research. Mothers are advised to consult healthcare professionals before incorporating olive leaf extract into their regimen, particularly if they have health conditions that could be affected by its properties. Until more definitive studies are conducted, caution is the best approach for nursing mothers considering this herbal supplement.

How long does olive leaf extract stay in your system?

The beneficial compounds in olive leaf extract generally only stay in your body for around 2-3 days after ingestion.

Can I take olive leaf while breastfeeding?

No interactions have been documented; however, care should be taken with blood pressure–lowering medicines and hypoglycaemic agents, and olive leaf should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women in amounts greater than that found in food.

Does olive leaf affect hormones?

Previous studies have shown that ER beta is involved in the growth of endometrial lesions. Researchers discovered that oleuropein, found in olive leaves, inhibits the activity of ER beta but not ER alpha, preventing ER beta from moving to the cell nucleus after estrogen binds to it.

What is the best time to take olive leaf extract?

The standard olive leaf extract dose ranges from 500-1,000 milligrams daily. It’s best to divide your daily dosage into 2-3 smaller doses and take it with a meal or snack.

Who should not take olive leaf extract?

Olive leaf extract may lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes or are taking medications to manage your blood sugar or blood pressure, talk to your doctor before taking olive leaf extract.

Is olive leaf extract a natural antibiotic?

Several researchers have shown that olive leaf extract has antibacterial and antifungal properties [21,22,23].

Is olive leaf hard on the kidneys?

Oral administration of aqueous olive leaf extract to diabetic pregnant mice and their fetuses has ameliorative effect on weight gain as well as kidney functions and has the ability to minimize the damage in the kidney and placental tissue caused by hyperglycemia, and this effect may be attributed to its antioxidant …

How does olive leaf extract affect the kidneys?

It also has anti-inflammatory effects. The results of our study are in accordance with those of other studies showing that oleuropein can decrease NO, urea, and creatinine levels and MPO activity. Oleuropein can also decrease renal injury such as glomerulosclerosis.

Is olive good for breastfeeding?

According to studies, it has been found that mothers who consume extra virgin olive oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding may have babies with a lower risk of wheezing in the first year of life.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.