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Vitamin B1 - Thiamine

Chemical Name

C12H17N4OS+

Immune support

Like other B-complex vitamins, thiamine is sometimes called an "anti-stress" vitamin because it works to strengthen the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions. It is named B1 because it was the first B vitamin discovered

Other uses

Olive leaf is also indicated for mild to moderate hypertension and may reduce symptoms of gout.
Breast cancer. Women who consume more olive oil in their diet seem to have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
Heart disease. People who cook using olive oil seem to have a lower risk of heart disease and lower risk of first heart attack compared to those who cook with other oils. People who replace saturated fats in their diet with olive oil also seem to have a lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol compared to those who consume more saturated fat in their diet. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are risk factors for heart disease. Research also shows that following a diet that includes olive oil also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease-related death compared to following the same diet that includes less olive oil. The FDA allows labels on olive oil and on food that contains olive oil to state that limited, but not conclusive evidence, suggests that consuming 23 grams/day (about 2 tablespoons) of olive oil instead of saturated fats may reduce the risk of heart disease. The FDA also allows products containing certain forms of olive oil to claim that consuming these products can reduce the risk of heart disease. It's unclear if higher dietary intake of olive oil is beneficial in people who already have heart disease. Results from research are conflicting.

Constipation. Taking olive oil by mouth can help to soften stools in people with constipation.
Diabetes. People who eat higher amounts of olive oil (about 15-20 grams per day) seem to have a lower risk of developing diabetes. Eating more than 20 grams per day is not linked with additional benefit. Research also shows that olive oil can improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Olive oil in a Mediterranean-type diet might also reduce the risk of "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis) compared to polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil in people with diabetes.
High cholesterol. Using olive oil in the diet instead of saturated fat may reduce total cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. But other dietary oils might reduce total cholesterol better than olive oil.

High blood pressure. Adding generous amounts of extra virgin olive oil to the diet and continuing with the usual treatments for high blood pressure can improve blood pressure over 6 months in people with high blood pressure. In some cases, people with mild to moderate high blood pressure can actually lower their dose of blood pressure medication or even stop taking medication altogether. However, do not adjust your medications without your healthcare provider's supervision. Taking olive leaf extract also seems to lower blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.

How it works

Fatty acids in olive oil seem to decrease cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects. Olive leaf and olive oil might lower blood pressure. Olive might also be able to kill microbes, such as bacteria and fungus.

Safety

When taken by mouth: Olive oil is LIKELY SAFE when taken appropriately by mouth. Olive oil can be used safely as 14% of total daily calories. This is equal to about 2 tablespoons (28 grams) daily. Up to 1 liter per week of extra-virgin olive oil has been used safely as part of a Mediterranean-style diet for up to 5.8 years. Olive oil might cause nausea in a very small number of people. Olive leaf extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately by mouth.


There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of olive leaf when taken by mouth.

When applied to the skin: Olive oil is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin. Delayed allergic responses and contact dermatitis have been reported. When used in the mouth following dental treatment, the mouth may feel more sensitive.

When inhaled: Olive trees produce pollen that can cause seasonal respiratory allergy in some people.


Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if olive is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use amounts greater than the amount commonly found in foods.


Diabetes: Olive oil might lower blood sugar. People with diabetes should check their blood sugar when using olive oil.

Surgery: Olive oil might affect blood sugar. Using olive oil might affect blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking olive oil 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions with medications

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.


Talk to your health provider.

Olive and olive oil might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking olive oil along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.


Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.


Talk to your health provider.

Olive seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking olive along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.


Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.


Talk to your health provider.

Olive oil might slow blood clotting. Taking olive oil along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.


Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Interactions with Herbs, Supplements, and Foods

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure

Olive seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking olive along with herbs and supplements that also lower blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some of these herbs and supplements include andrographis, casein peptides, cat's claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, stinging nettle, theanine, and others.


Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar

Olive leaf might lower blood sugar. Using it along with other herbs that do the same might lower blood sugar too much. These herbs include: devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, and Siberian ginseng.

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting


Using olive oil with other herbs that can slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. These other herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, ginger, ginkgo, red clover, turmeric, vitamin E, willow, and others.

There are no known interactions with foods.

References

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