In the 1990s, I became the Founding Executive Director of the Functional Foods for Health Program at the University of Illinois. My work focused on a revolutionary idea: that certain foods contained powerful compounds capable of preventing disease and promoting longevity.
During this time, I traveled the world, speaking to audiences, working alongside leading scientists, and engaging with policymakers to change the way people thought about food. But no matter where I went, I kept seeing the same problem—people struggled to get the right nutrition in their daily lives.
In 2004, I took on another challenge: founding the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine & Food Science at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). The Central Valley is one of the most abundant agricultural regions in the world, producing olives, grapes, and tomatoes—three pillars of the Mediterranean Diet, widely recognized as the healthiest way to eat.
And that’s when the idea for OlivinoLife was born.
The OlivinoLife Story
By Dr. Clare Hasler-Lewis
A Life Shaped by Science, Family, and a Passion for Health
I’ve always believed that food is more than just sustenance—it’s medicine. That belief was instilled in me from a young age, shaped by the people I loved most.
Growing up, my sister Carole was constantly navigating the world of dieting, counting carbs and calories in the hope of maintaining her health. Meanwhile, my brother Les was setting national powerlifting records, dedicating his life to physical excellence.
Between them, I saw two extremes—the struggle to achieve wellness through food and the power of disciplined training. I found myself wondering: Is there a way to bridge the gap? Could nutrition hold the key to not just fitness, but long-term health?
As I pursued my education at Michigan State University (MSU), I took a job washing glassware in a research lab. That lab happened to be studying the connection between diet and cancer—something deeply personal to me.
Cancer had already touched my family in devastating ways. My sister was a survivor, but I had lost several uncles and, just before I graduated, my father as well. The more I learned, the more I knew: science-backed nutrition was the future of disease prevention.
That realization led me on a lifelong journey through academia and research. From MSU to the Pennsylvania State University to a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, my mission became clear—understanding how the foods we eat can protect and heal our bodies
From Science to Real Life: Making Nutrition Accessible
OlivinoLife: A Dream Turned Reality
By 2010, three things became clear to me:
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The Mediterranean Diet was not just a fad—it was being recognized by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as the gold standard for longevity and disease prevention.
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My work at UC Davis placed me at the center of groundbreaking research on olives, grapes, and tomatoes—three ingredients rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and other powerful health-promoting compounds.
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Despite its proven benefits, most Americans weren’t eating the Mediterranean Diet regularly. Convenience and modern lifestyles made it difficult.
That’s when my husband and business partner, Cameron Lewis, and I set out on a mission: to make the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet accessible to everyone, every day.
We weren’t interested in just another supplement. We wanted to create a product grounded in real science—one that delivered the same powerful compounds found in the healthiest foods on earth, in a form that fit into people’s daily routines.
That’s how Olivino was born in 2017
a carefully formulated dietary supplement delivering the health benefits of olives, grapes, and tomatoes—the very best of the Mediterranean Diet, sold exclusively from our website. In 2023, we released a superior softgel formula, Olivino Essential.
The Science Behind the Formula
Every ingredient in Olivino Essential has been selected based on decades of scientific research:
Italian Olive Fruit Extract
Packed with hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and verbascoside, compounds known to support heart health, reduce inflammation, and protect against oxidative stress.
Grape Seed Extract
Rich in antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins, which have been demonstrated in clinical trials to maintain healthy blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.
Tomato Extract
A powerful source of lycopene and other antioxidants found in tomatoes that have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, protect skin from damage, and support prostate health.
Resveratrol
A natural antioxidant found in grape skins known for its anti-aging, longevity, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Why We Do This
For me, OlivinoLife isn’t just a business—it’s a deeply personal mission.
I’ve dedicated my career to understanding how food impacts health, and I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of poor nutrition. I’ve lost family to diseases that science tells us can often be prevented with the right dietary choices. I’ve spoken with thousands of people who want to take control of their health but don’t know where to start.
I created Olivino Essential because I believe no one should have to choose between convenience and good health. You shouldn’t have to wonder if you’re getting the right nutrients. You shouldn’t have to struggle to fit healthy foods into your busy life. You deserve something simple, effective, and backed by science.
That’s why Olivino Essential exists. And that’s why 75% of our customers come back for more—because they feel the difference.
