We have all eaten many dishes of prepared food throughout our life time that contained olive oil in them; many of us cook our everyday meals with this tasty and healthy oil and fail to realize how beneficial and healthy it is for our bodies. Olive leaf extract is taken from the leaves of freshly picked olive plant leaves and used to make a high grade medicinal healing product that has been used since as far back as Egyptian and early European days to treat a variety of common ailments. Olive leaf extract today is marketed mainly as an anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal and anti-bacteria product, however, it has healing properties that extend far beyond these uses – this article will tell you why you need to be taking this beneficial oil.

Olive Leaf Extract Benefits

To those of you who suffer from systemic yeast infections, Candida overgrowth and other yeast or fungal related problems, your search for the right treatment needs to begin here with olive leaf extract. The benefits of olive leaf extract boast extraordinary powerful anti-fungal and antibiotic properties that that help to reduce yeast and Candida from reproducing and chronically infecting your body. Since leaf oil extract is also a natural immune system enhancer, these two aspects of the plant work side by side to not only eliminate the harmful fungus from you body, but strengthen your immune system helping you to ward off future infection and all of the fatigue you experience.

Those of you with heart problems, especially high blood pressure or bad cholesterol can find refuge with oil leaf extract as it helps to lower low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) and helps to increase blood flow to the body promoting widespread vitality and constitution throughout the body.

Even those who suffer from herpes outbreaks or the herpes virus can depend on the benefits of olive leaf extract to find relief. As olive leaf extract is clinically proven to be an exceptional remedy to colds, flus and all types of viruses, it has shown the ability to combat the herpes virus (remember this can even include those pesky canker sores!).

If you are still not convinced that you need to buy olive leaf extract, a recent clinical study conducted by Southern Cross University in 2005 has revealed that fresh olive leaf contains about double the antioxidant capacity of green tea extract and is nearly 500% higher than that found in vitamin C. Antioxidants deserve a mention in whatever they are found in because they are one of the most beneficial things you can include in your diet; they remove the volatile substances in your body that damage your cells, preventing the effects of aging and the development of cancerous cells.

These olive leaf extract uses are well-versed and “cover all of the bases” in terms of what a truly quality supplement should be able to do. The best olive leaf extract you can buy is one that takes the freshly picked leaves and converts it directly into anyone of these traditionally available forms of the extract: liquid, powder and capsules. Keep in mind that it is best when the leaves are freshly picked and turned into a liquid right away, making liquid olive leaf extract the favored choice here.

All olive leaf extract reviews seem to praise this alternative medication and the ones who are suffering from Candida and other forms of systemic yeast infections claim this is their golden ticket to solving and even curing the problem. The recommended olive leaf extract dosage is about 150mg twice daily

Olive Leaf Extract Side Effects

The side effects of olive leaf extract are specific to those with preexisting heart conditions, such as abnormally low blood pressure, low blood glucose levels and diabetes, bleeding disorders or those who take blood thinning medications. This supplement works to relax the arteries in the body and could do some serious damage to any individuals who have these conditions. As always, you should speak to your doctor even if you are unsure if any of this applies to you.

Ironically enough, one of the most common side effects that appears to present itself upon taking this supplement is a massive headache or even flu-like symptoms. The irony is in the fact that these side effects occur because olive leaf extract acts as such a strong detox agent since it has so many different anti fungal and antibiotic agents that this seemingly adverse side effect should be almost welcomed in a sense because it is a strong indication that it is working. Because the olive oil extract works to kill off all of the bacteria and fungus so quickly, your body may become so overwhelmed with trying to get rid of the now dead toxins that it presents itself as flu like symptoms for the first couple days. You should always use good judgment and contact your medical health care professional if you think you are experiencing stronger than normal side effects as there are individuals who are inclined to certain diseases that does not allow them to cope with such a rapid detoxification of the body and in these cases, the general side effects need to be treated.

Yes! While there are not many side effects of flaxseed oil you should become aware of the few that do exist. Flaxseed in and of itself is not a dangerous supplement to take by far, and the side effects of taking flaxseed oil are minimal when comparing it to the benefits of flaxseed oil. A few of the most reported and documented side effects are loose stools, flatulence, diarrhea and certain allergic reactions such as rashes and other symptoms such as increasing the effects of those who experience bleeding disorders. The alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil supplements has proved to be safer then its counter part found in meats and other dairy sources in regards to its effects on cancer.

You can get a better understanding of flaxseed oil side effects by checking out WebMD and seeing what they have to say.

There are people claiming that some of the flaxseed oil benefits are negated unless taken with appropriate amounts of omega-6. If you should ever experience worsening of the symptoms you have begun taking flaxseed oil for you should immediately discontinue the use of the product and consult your health care specialist; there are other forms of omega-3 such as fish oil that might work better for you and the only way to find out what your body tolerates the best is by trying different supplements.

Always remember the follow the correct flaxseed dosage instructions. It is accepted that consuming anymore then 30 grams of flax per day will lead to diarrhea.

If you decide to branch out into ingesting whole flaxseed products you should be aware of the fact they are able to cause intestinal blockage and upset stomachs

For those of you who are pregnant or breast feeding you are not advised to take flaxseed in any of it forms, be it flaxseed oil pills, liquids or seeds.

Another one of the major flaxseed oil side effects to be aware of is for those of you who take blood clotting medication. Flaxseed has shown that it interacts with the blood’s ability to clot and should not be consumed by those individuals either on medication to resolve this issue or those with other blood clotting disorders.

After talking to many people and hearing so many stories and comments about this supplement, it is my personal opinion that all of what I hear is not really specific to the supplement itself; that is to say, in what I hear there are always two sides to the camp – it either changes lives for the better in about 85-90% of those I speak with, or it causes some nasty side effects in about the remaining 10-15% I speak with – these side effects seem to make the symptoms they were intending to treat amplified, however, once they seek another source of omega-3 such as fish oil they tend to do remarkably well with it, so perhaps the final verdict should rest that it depends on your body and only you will know how this supplement effects you. Keep vigilant and if something starts to not feel right, act fast to fix it. I would say that if you are a women you should especially keep extra mindful of how this supplement effects you. While it is hugely successful in helping treat women with menopause and PMS symptoms, the plant-based estrogen found in this supplement does not do well with most people and can lead to mood swings and depression in some, or even help treat it in others by acting to re-balance hormones in the body. Just be sure to pay attention to these flaxseed oil side effects and react quickly when necessary and you will be fine!

One of the chief benefits of flaxseed oil is in how it interacts with our body’s cells to keep us strong and healthy. All of the nutrients in this supplement help to first and foremost keep our cell membranes strong, once you understand this then you begin to see the bigger picture of why flaxseed is such an important oil for us. Stronger cell membranes, assisted by the other nutrients in the supplement, help to give us the energy, stamina, increased memory function and cognition that we feel while taking it. If you were ever to begin in one place inside of your body and look to improve it to give you an “all-over” feeling of wellness, then there is no better place to start then the cells of your body as they are responsible for making you who you are and how you feel.

The lignans and lecithins compose a large part of the health benefits of flaxseed oil as they work to keep us looking younger, remove harmful toxins from our body that damage our cells and help to prevent cancer cells from developing.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the omega-3 essential fatty acids found in these flaxseeds is responsible for a wide range of tasks that include helping to treat acne, hair, skin, joint, arthritis, lupus and irreitable-bowel syndrome (IBS) in those who take it by reducing the amount of inflammation at these locations in the body.

The benefits of flaxseed oil are able to do so much by providing us with the proper nutrition that our body requires to function. This supplement is not a “miracle” or a fix quick to cure any of these conditions, but it works with your body to reduce the symptoms of and gradually help to eliminate the causes and effects of these conditions by just giving your body the proper nutrition that it requires in order to heal itself naturally. This makes for a perfect supplement to add to your arsenal since your body cannot make the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids found in it naturally; in a way, it is quite remarkable to think that these conditions may actually be a result of the fact that your body has not gotten enough of these omega-3 and 6 EFAs and by introducing the correct amount of them back into your diet your body can begin to return to a better state of harmony with a greater nutritional bank to draw from.

I would recommend taking a look at this article I have written about flaxseed oil previously as it contains and provides a more broader and in-depth look at what the supplement really is and can do for you. It contains information such as flaxseed oil dosage amounts and suggested flaxseed oil uses.

Flaxseed oils are derived from the seeds of the flaxseed plant and are turned into a liquid form by a method known as cold-pressing as to preserve a high amount of the nutritional value of the plant before either being bottled as a liquid or put into a gel or soft cap form.

Why Do I Need Flaxseed Oil?

Flaxseed oil supplements are of vital essence to our general well-being since studies show the average American is deficient in omega-3 by a large margin; being that flaxseed oil contains the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids from a plant-based source it is highly esteemed as the supplement of choice as a premium source of omega-3s. Flaxseed oil benefits more then speak for themselves, and many people have already made the leap to seeing how much this supplement can help them increase their health by adding such a simple component to their diets.

Remember how we said flaxseed oil was called an Essential Fatty Acid? The reason why they are so essential is because your body cannot produce these on its own, hence why so many people are deficient in them as the only real main sources of EFAs outside of flaxseed and a few other oils are mainly found in fish and soy products that a lot of people tend to shy away from or just not eat enough of.

For you vegetarians out there, this is the only reason source of vegetarian essential fatty acids and omega-3. While soybean does contain them, it pales in comparison to flaxseed and should be included in every vegan diet.

Health Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

Since flaxseed oil is a premium source of omega-3 the due focus should be given there. Omega-3s are excellent anti-inflammatory agents that allow flaxseed to help with acne, skin, irreitable-bowel syndrome (IBS), lupus, joint pain and arthritis. Because flaxseed oil also contains lignans, an anti-oxidant, it is believed that this has a very positive and beneficial effect on the heart and looks to have anti-cancer and anti-aging fighting properties as well. One other thing unique to flaxseed oil is that it is high in fiber which helps to promote bowel regularity and overall health; this means additionally that good flaxseed oil weight loss regime or any diet plan focused around using flaxseed derived products will help to reduce weight not acting as miracle supplement, but as one that can help gradually regulate your digestive tract and bowels in order to regular it and reduce inflammation that will lead to better absorption of nutrients leading to a better feeling of health.

One of the most compelling reasons to start taking flaxseed oils is for the effect omega-3 have on the heart. Studies have shown that it can help to reduce cholesterol and strengthen the heart as a whole and is one of the most widely used supplements used in heart health today.

Flaxseed oil is also high in protein, containing somewhere in the amount of 20-26g of high quality protein per serving; high quality meaning that flaxseed oil contains almost a complete amino acid profile making it one of the best health choices you can add to your daily life.

Flaxseed Oil Side Effects

There are not many side effects associated with this supplement at all, there are only mainly two real concerns.

- Taking large amounts of flaxseed oil can act similarly to a laxative since it is incredibly rich in fiber.
– When taking flaxseed grounded or consuming the seeds whole can lead to intestinal blockage and not total absorption of the nutrients – these do not really apply to this article since we are more focused on the oil form of flax but they are important enough to mention and bring into awareness for those looking for the other versions of the supplement.

- Not taking your omega-3 supplements in a good ratio with omega-6 based supplements (such as borage oil) can either cause you not to get the full effect of either of the two. I will discuss this more in detail in a bit.

Before You Buy Flaxseed Oil

You need to keep in mind that you need to keep a ratio of 1:2 (omega-3 to omega-6) in order to get the full effects of both oils. Neglecting this ratio can cause your investment into these products to go to waste. The average American ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is somewhere in the ballpark of about 1:15 or 1:20, some studies say that ratio is even higher. Combining an organic flaxseed oil with another oil such as borage should do the trick and work in perfect harmony for your body and your health.

The recommended dosage of flaxseed oil is either 1000mg or 1200mg either once or twice a day, just remember to keep your 1:2 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6.

In just a bit, a will put up an article with my thoughts on fish oil vs flaxseed oil so you have another great resource to use when shopping for your perfect supplements.

What is Borage Oil?

Borage Oils comes from the Borage plant, also known as starflower, and is a fairly common plant that grows in European and American regions. Borage oil benefits have become popular because the plant has been identified to have medicinal properties that include the ability to aid those with skin and acne problems, hair loss, menstrual pains and menopause, arthritis, cardiovascular problems and weight loss.

The Borage plant is able to aid those suffering from these alignments mostly because it high in GLAs (Gamma-Linolenic Acid) and EFAs (Essentially Fatty Acids – such as Omega Fatty Acids). Borage contains the highest amounts of GLAs available directly from any plant source.

Borage Seed Oil – GLAs

Like many other plants and seeds with high amounts of GLAs, Borage has the unique property of being a particularly potent anti-inflammatory. More specifically, GLAs are classified as Omega-6 fatty acids and are the agents responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects. The direct benefits of GLAs comes to those who suffer from acne, arthritis, allergies, skin problems such as dryness, itchiness, scaliness or auto-immune diseases.

Borage Oil – Acne

One of the leading causes of acne is the body triggering an inflammatory response on the face and on the skin. Including GLA borage oil into the diet or directly breaking open a capsule and rubbing the oil into the skin will drastically reduce the inflammation on the skin and help to reduce the visible effects of acne and reduce scaring. This supplement is used to treat patients with eczema with effective results and is largely recommended by doctors world-wide. The oils are also known to reduce the imbarassing redness associated with eczema and surrounding breakout areas.

Borage Oil and Skin

Just like with the acne, it is also beneficial to break open borage oil capsules and rub them into areas where you have dry, itchy and flaky skin. Doing this in conjunction with ingesting the capsules will allow the natural GLAs in the oil to then re-nourish the effected areas of the skin and help to resolve the systems within a few days.

Borage Oil Remedy for PMS and Menopause

During PMS and menopause the body’s natural ability to produce GLA is comprised. Supplementing your body during your monthly PMS cycle or beginning to supplement during menopause will supply your body with the GLA it is lacking in order to help reduce or eliminate symptoms such as cramps, breast tenderness, fluid retention (bloating) and even depression and mood swings.

Arthritis

One of the primary reasons borage oil and GLAs in general are consumed is the combat the painful and debilitating effects of all types of arthritis. Being a powerful anti-inflammatory, this supplement should be an absolute must on your daily regime of vitamins as it will help reduce the swelling and pain of the joints. To see the most benefit, it is suggested you take borage oil in combination with an Omega-3 EFA such as fish oil. Taking this supplement may lead to decreasing the amount of pain medication you need to take in order to achieve the same amount of relief.

Allergies

The GLAs found in borage oil have been known and used for quite some time as a means by which to reduce the effects of allergies on individuals. There is good research to suggest that the consumption of these GLAs found in the oils may lessen the overall effect of allergies and reduce the amount of allergic reactions or “allergy attacks”, most presumably because of the potent anti-inflammatory agents. Consumption of this tablet is also known to help prevent skin rashes caused by allergies and even helps to protect animals against developing skin rashes and skin yeast infections.

Weight Loss

Borage oil and GLAs have been linked to weight loss by helping to speed up the body’s metabolism and also by aiding in digestion, more specifically in the metabolizing of fats.

Heart

While the effects of this supplement are known to help with dilating blood vessels and thinning the blood, it is important that you consult with your doctor before taking this supplement if you are already on any kind of blood thinning medications or any other heart medications. Otherwise, this is a powerful supplement that promotes good circulation in the entire body as well as a stronger, healthier heart.

Borage Oil Side Effects

There typically are not very many side effects associated with taking borage oil as it is just a rich form of Omega-6 essential fatty acids which we all include into our diets in some form or another whether we choose to or not.

The most effective way to take this supple is with another Omega-3 fatty acid supplement, preferably in a 2:1 ratio (Omega-6 to Omega-3); this would look something like: 1,000mg Omega-6 to 500mg Omega-3 or 2,000mg Omega-6 to 1,000mg Omega-3. Borage Oil remains the best source of GLA and Omega-3 on the market and is highly advised and recommended to be the supplement of choice when considering the best GLA supplement.