Twelve-month consumption of a polyphenol extract from olive (Olea europaea) in a double blind, randomized trial increases serum total osteocalcin levels and improves serum lipid profiles in postmenopausal women with osteopenia

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64 postmenopausal, osteopenic women were randomly assigned to receive capsular olive-leaf extract or placebo once daily for 12 months, with the intention of investigating the effect of olive leaf extract on bone turnover. Outcomes of interest included bone turnover markers, bone mineral density measurements, and blood lipid profiles. Results found that patients who ingested daily olive-leaf extract capsules achieved significantly improved osteocalcin (OC) serum levels, a marker of bone tissue formation, throughout the study and attained a significantly superior osteocalcin level compared to placebo patients 12 months post-intervention. In addition, serum lipid profiles improved and the bone balance ratio was maintained in the treatment group at final follow-up. Bone mineral density measurements did not significantly differ between groups, however.