continued...

The broad-spectrum antimicrobial nature of olive leaf is particularly appealing in the face of the one-sided onslaught of antibiotics that many patients endure via conventional medical practices. The thought of supplying an antifungal or high-quality probiotic to counter the negative effects of a prescribed antibiotic never crosses the minds of most health care providers. That's why it's so refreshing to see the broad antibiotic and antifungal activity that's already built in to such natural antimicrobials as olive leaf. For the person who has come in contact with a CA-MRSA-infected person or carrier, it may be the perfect antimicrobial prophylaxis. In addition, olive-leaf extract in a nasal-spray form, may benefit the colonized MRSA carrier. Historically, the antibiotic ointment mupirocin (Bactroban) has been used for eradicating Staph bacteria from the nose. However, only a few studies can actually equate this practice to reducing Staph infections, and some studies show that re-colonization of the nasal cavity occurs with time, so this practice is not supported by current evidence. Nevertheless, the practice is not condemned and is often still recommended. Recent independent laboratory testing with an intranasal form of olive-leaf extract (OLE) showed an impressive and rapid annihilation of MRSA bacteria within 15 seconds of exposure to the OLE.

The nose is a perfect, moist carrier site for bacteria. Think of how often you see people touching, wiping, scratching and rubbing their noses (perhaps before they shook your hand). It only makes sense that contact with someone with MRSA or someone with recurring MRSA skin infections (a likely nasal carrier for MRSA) would use such a treatment as a nasal OLE preparation, along with an oral, whole olive-leaf extract. There are no barriers for who can acquire MRSA - babies and elderly, male and female - and once again, stopping the spread is the key.

In regard to HIV, olive-leaf extract may introduce a whole new facet of post-exposure prophylaxis (what to take after you've been stuck by a needle or potentially exposed to the HIV virus). OLE, without toxicity to healthy, uninfected cells, not only inhibits acute infection with the virus but also prevents cell-to-cell transmission of the HIV virus (preventing the spread of the virus to uninfected cells), as well as HIV replication within the cell. Researchers at the University of Granada isolated maslinic acid from the dry olive-pomace oil. Maslinic acid is specifically found in the wax of the olive skin. Olive-pomace oil is considered an inferior-grade oil that is made by combining virgin olive oil with the pomace, or the ground flesh and pits that remain from previous olive pressings that were used in making olive oil. Maslinic acid inhibits serine-protease, much like some of the pharmaceutical anti-HIV drugs on the market now. With the use of olive-pomace oil, a monumental 80 percent reduction in HIV spreading in the body was obtained. Maslinic acid also is very effective against some of the parasitic infections seen in patients with advanced HIV infections or AIDS. Therefore, it may serve a dual, antiviral and anti-parasitic role in such patients. I see a pharmaceutical drug on the horizon, unfortunately. "Maz-low." Remember, Pharma: Whole olive leaf has many other, active compounds that still need to do their job.

The goal is to alleviate the fear that there is nowhere to turn but to drugs when dealing with such bad bugs as MRSA and HIV. Obviously, these germs still kill people - lots of them, unfortunately. Yet many of these deaths are in spite of drug therapy. Perhaps a more balanced approach with broad-spectrum antimicrobials, when used early or in less severe cases, will lead to fewer rampant infections and less spread of the germ to other contacts. Consider turning to olive-leaf extract as a natural alternative. Talk to your doctor for more information.

David Holland, MD, practices in El Paso, Texas and specializes in family practice, nutritional consultation and occupational medicine.