The Mediterranean diet is consistently ranked as the best diet globally for its health and wellness benefits and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) constitutes a major component of the Mediterranean diet.
With this in mind, Greek Australian directors of Protemia, Steve Gotsis and George Karlis turned to their heritage, to capture in a capsule the olive oil of their ancestral home and place it on the shelves of our local pharmacies in Melbourne and across Victoria, under the brand name ‘ellinol’.
Since December the ‘ellinol’ range has been available at all Chemist Discount Centres capturing the interest of customers aware of the remarkable health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
George Tambassis, former National President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia who has been involved in community pharmacy for over 25 years has welcomed the ‘ellinol’ range into his stores in Richmond.
“At this stage they are the only supplements in the market that have that unique formulation that tries to encapsulate the properties of the Mediterranean diet,” Tambassis tells Neos Kosmos, explaining that the addition of the extra virgin olive oil extract, is what makes this product so unique.
“The key active ingredients, that you usually get out of extra virgin olive oil, are polyphenols and they have high antioxidant effects on your body. What Protemia has done with their ‘ellinol’ range, is they have created five different types of formulations available in capsules, with all of them containing EVOO, and hence the powerful antioxidant called hydroxytyrosol.”
Hydroxytyrosol is a phytochemical that is considered to be one of the most powerful antioxidants. It exhibits various biological properties, including notable anti-inflammatory effects, along with antibacterial, antiviral, and antimycotic activities, contributing to improved cardiovascular health, overall well-being and longevity.
In their ‘ellinol’ range, Protemia has combined the distinctive heart health formulation into each of their five products, offering dual benefits by providing cardiovascular support along with joint, digestive, immune, and cognitive health.”
against heart disease in several ways. Photo: Allora Griffiths
“What they did was they changed the formulation for heart health, adding vitamin D, which is beneficial for the heart. For their cognitive support formulation, (to improve memory and brain function), they have put in ginkgo biloba, for joint support, they included turmeric, and for their digestive support formulation they added an artichoke extract. Finally for immune support, they have included with the EVOO, vitamin C and zinc, which are known to help the immune system push back on infections and viruses we may encounter.”
“They’re really good formulations and the data and the science behind what they have done all makes sense,” Tambassis states, adding that his staff have received training about all the ingredients and the benefits of these formulations, in order to help guide the customers in choosing the right product for their individual health needs.
“Due to our fast-paced lifestyle, these nutrients are usually either lacking or not in their right concentrations in our everyday diet, to actually get some benefit out of it. And this is where supplements such as these can help.”
The extra virgin olive oil, is sourced from Greece’s Kalamata region. Research has established Kalamata’s olives to have the highest levels of hydroxytyrosol compared to other types of olives in Greece and across the world.
“We believe that good health starts with good nutrition and we’re passionate about bringing the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet to people all around the world,” Protemia director, Steve Gotsis states.
Our modern lifestyle, characterized by sedentary behaviour, poor dietary choices, and chronic stress, exposes us to significant health risks, which is the reason the two Greek Australians, with a background in the pharmaceutical industry dedicated extensive research on the benefits of olive oil, developing a unique combination of ingredients to deliver the health, longevity and vitality enjoyed by the Mediterranean people for centuries.
The dedicated team at ‘ellinol’ manages the olive production in Greece, adhering to a time-honored tradition from November to January. This hands-on approach ensures the selection of only the finest olives for their oil, with the Mediterranean climate and unique olive varietals contributing to its exceptional quality. It is then manufactured in Australia under the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) guidelines, which are vital for ensuring product safety, quality, and efficacy.
‘Ellinol’ took off in Australia a year ago, but it is only recently that it has become available in pharmacies across Melbourne and Victoria.
For more information visit ellinol.com.au
