Sep 15 2011 --- First reported in a 1999 study by Francesco Visioli et all on behalf of the Italian Institute of Pharmacological Science, and subsequently supported by 10 years of research in the field of olive polyphenol conducted by CREAGRI Inc., the notion that olive polyphenol are effective in protecting LDL particles from oxidative damage is now being confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Following on a request by the European Commission, on 4/8/20, EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies has concluded that a cause/effect relationship has been established between the consumption of olive polyphenol (standardized by the content of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives) and protection of LDL particles from oxidative damage. The olive constituents subject to the health claims include the olive fruit, olive mill waste waters, olive oil and olive leafs, and is supported for polyphenol such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein.

The panel has also established that to benefit from olive polyphenol’s antioxidant properties, a minimum of 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives should be consumed daily. The panel noted also that the concentrations of polyphenol’s in some olive oil maybe too low to allow for the consumption of the suggested minimum dosage.

“This is the validation of CREAGRI’s decade long research with the use of olive polyphenol derived from the juice of organic olives to improve cardiovascular health, and to manage cholesterol,” affirms Roberto Crea, CREAGRI’s founder and CEO, “It marks a milestone in the history of dietary supplements and it is the first time that something other than olive oil is formally recognized as a viable source of hydroxytyrosol and antioxidant polyphenol. The stamp of approval of the top European Safety Authority for dietary supplements can now be attached to hydroxytyrosol based ingredients and products such as Hidrox and Olivenol Plus. In addition, it opens the unique opportunity for companies (especially CREAGRI) to expand on beneficial claims based upon positive clinical experience”.

CREAGRI, which produces Hidrox, a patented formulation of hyrdroxytyrosol, and the Olivenol Plus line of dietary supplements, has been at the forefront of the research and the development of products featuring the power olive polyphenol, and had already established almost 7 years ago that hydroxytyrosl is effective at concentrations as low as 5 mg per daily serving. In recognition of CREAGRI’s leadership in the field of antioxidant polyphenol recently Nutraceutical Business Technology magazine has named the company among the finalists for the NBT Awards in two categories: Most Innovative Ingredient; and Outstanding Application in Health Management. One of the most sought after awards in the nutraceutical industry the NBT Awards are bestowed on companies which express a clear leadership in their field of activity and have a knack for innovation. The awards will be conferred on May 11, 2001 in Geneva during the VitaFoods Europe Exhibit and Conference.