Oleuropein, the active compound in olive leaf extract, boosts muscle endurance in mice by reducing fatigue. In aging mice, it also increases muscle mass. The extract is bioavailable to humans and considered safe, suggesting real potential for treating age-related muscle loss.
Does oleuropein actually enhance muscle function? Indeed, the researchers find that oleuropein supplementation in the form of olive leaf extract given to mice increased muscle performance by reducing fatigue and increasing endurance on a treadmill running test. So oleuropein has fast acute action enhancing muscle function and reducing muscle fatigue, but what about its chronic use? Well, even more impressively, In aged mice with reduced muscle mass—mouse sarcopenia—oleuropein also increased muscle mass, suggesting applications in age-related muscle loss, which is stunning and super hopeful and super clinically relevant. And importantly to you and me, oleuropein-rich compounds like olive leaf extract are bioavailable to humans and considered safe for human use.
