Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. This study evaluated the effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) supplementation in postmenopausal women for 12 weeks. The OLE group showed a significant improvement in overall Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQoL) scores compared with placebo (p = 0.027). A significant increase in Bone Mineral Density BMD (p = 0.019) was observed. OLE also significantly reduced serum triglycerides (p = 0.010), with no significant changes in cholesterol levels, body composition, or handgrip strength. 

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive cycle, which occurs 12 months after the final menstrual cycle. This major shift is recognized by a decrease in the production of progesterone and estradiol, which impacts an array of emotional, physiological, and urogenital symptoms. The most common issues experienced include psychological changes (anxiety, irritability), vasomotor symptoms (night sweats, hot flashes), changes in physical characteristics (enhanced adiposity, reduced bone mineral density), and adverse changes in lipid profiles. Currently, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the main treatment for these symptoms; however, there are concerns regarding its connection with endometrial and breast cancers, which has increased interest in natural alternatives. Plant-based derivatives structurally similar to 17-β-estradiol offer a promising solution. Olive leaf extract (OLE), rich in certain polyphenolic compounds, is known to have phytoestrogenic effects, thereby alleviating postmenopausal symptoms and protecting against skeletal and cardiovascular weakening.

This study, conducted by Maria and her team at the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM) used a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blinded study to assess the efficacy of 12 weeks of daily OLE supplementation (250 mg/day). Other parameters observed were bone mineral density, body composition, serum lipid profile, and handgrip strength. The study enrolled 60 healthy postmenopausal women, aged 47 to 70 years, with a BMI below 35 kg/m². They were grouped to receive 250 mg of OLE (standardized to 40% oleuropein) and a placebo for 12 weeks. The assessments were conducted at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Postmenopausal symptoms were assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQoL) questionnaire (psychosocial, vasomotor, sexual, and physical domains), and hot flashes were assessed using the Hot Flash Interference (HFI) scale. Body composition and BMD were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), physical performance was assessed by handgrip strength, and fasting blood samples were analyzed for lipid profiles. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models.

The results/key findings are as follows:

Menopause symptoms: After six and twelve weeks of OLE supplementation, the overall MENQoL score significantly improved (estimated mean difference [95% CI]: -0.2 [-0.4 – 0.2], p = 0.027) compared to the placebo.

Bone health (DXA): A significant improvement (+0.017 [0.003, 0.030], p = 0.019) was recorded in the BMD in the right arm in the OLE group compared to the placebo. The intervention did not affect other body composition outcomes.

Cardiovascular markers: Triglycerides (TG), TG concentrations, and the TG/HDL-C ratio were significantly decreased (-0.1 [-0.2, 0.0], p = 0.010; -0.1 [-0.2, -0.0], p = 0.029, respectively) in the OLE group compared to the placebo.

Physical outcomes: No significant changes in body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass) or handgrip strength were observed. 12 weeks may be insufficient to affect these measures without diet or exercise changes.

The results show that oleuropein and its metabolites act as phytoestrogens; their structural similarity to estradiol allows them to bind to estrogen receptors, which explains the improvements in MENQoL scores. The marked decrease in triglycerides and the TG/HDL-C ratio represents an important finding, as both are key indicators of cardiovascular disease risk, which often increases after menopause due to disturbances in lipid metabolism. The improvement in BMD in specific regions supports findings that oleuropein promotes osteoblast formation and inhibits adipogenesis by regulating mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. This dual action may help maintain bone mass while improving lipid profiles. This study is strengthened by its rigorous design and the use of the validated MENQoL questionnaire. However, the mild nature of the participants’ symptoms may have limited the ability to detect OLE’s full impact on severe vasomotor issues. Additionally, DXA may lack MRI’s sensitivity for detecting subtle changes in muscle mass over a short period. The study also notes that OLE exhibits higher bioavailability in post-menopausal women. For observing the long-term effects, such as BMD, 12 weeks is a relatively shorter period. Also, there is a need to study the underlying mechanism of exact cellular pathways for in vitro and in vivo research.

In conclusion, 250 mg of daily OLE supplementation for 12 weeks reduces symptoms and significantly improves overall quality of life for postmenopausal women. OLE has potential to improve bone mineral density and cardiovascular lipid markers, specifically triglycerides. This study suggests that OLE is an effective and safe nutritional therapy for managing  challenging signs and symptoms during the postmenopausal phase of life for women. Further research should primarily focus on long-term intervention periods, with the study of more severe symptoms, to better understand the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential of olive-derived polyphenols.

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© 2024 by the authors

Posted March 24, 2026.

Dr. Tabish Mehraj is a pharmaceutical scientist with expertise in pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and formulation development. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mississippi, where her research focused on the formulation, optimization, and characterization of lipid-based nanocarriers for targeted liver delivery of antimalarial therapeutics. Dr. Mehraj has also served as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she evaluated the effects of formulation and process design on the quality and performance of intravaginal drug delivery systems and developed bio-relevant in vitro drug release testing methods. She has teaching experience in pharmaceutical and life sciences courses and has authored peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations. Dr. Mehraj is an active member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and has been recognized by honor societies including Rho Chi and Gamma Beta Phi.

References:

1. Imperatrice, M., Lasfar, A., van Kalkeren, C. A., & Troost, F. (2024). Olive leaf extract supplementation improves postmenopausal symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study on postmenopausal women. Nutrients, 16(22), 3879.