Pomegranate/Resveratrol Extract

Resveratrol:

Resveratrol is a substance that is produced by several plants and that is sold as a nutritional supplement. A number of beneficial health effects, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and life-prolonging effects have been reported. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes and as a constituent of red wine may explain the “French paradox” that the incidence of coronary heart disease is relatively low in southern France despite high dietary intake of saturated fats.

Resveratrol is naturally created by certain vines, pine trees, peanuts, grapes, and other plants. One of these plants (Polygonnum cuspidatum) is an ingredient in traditional Asian medicines that are prescribed for liver and heart conditions. Resveratrol is classified as a polyphenol because of its chemical structure. Polyphenols make up a huge group of plant compounds that are further broken down into other classifications such as flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and the like.

In the early ‘90s, after wine was pinpointed as the probable answer to the “French paradox,” researchers realized that the resveratrol content of wine might be the secret ingredient behind the healthy heart effects attributed to it and the traditional Asian heart medicines containing Polygonnum. Research began in earnest, and just over a decade later, the accolades are enormous: “marked antioxidant activity,” “shows great promise for preventing cardiovascular disease,” “remarkable inhibitor,” “chemotherapeutic, little or no toxic effects in healthy cells,” “high efficacy against multiple sites.” Dozens of studies were published in this past year alone. Research has uncovered a diverse range of activities that may make resveratrol one of the most useful agents ever discovered for a wide range of human health problems.*

Pomegranate:

The recent interest in the antioxidant power of pomegranates began primarily in 2000 when a group of scientists in Israel demonstrated the effectiveness of pomegranates in treating atherosclerosis.  The research was headed by Professor Michael Aviram, an internationally recognized authority on the effect of food on heart disease.  Professor Aviram was the first to prove the beneficial effects of red wine on cholesterol oxidation in humans.

"Antioxidants can protect us against the oxidative stress in our industrialized world, such as pollution, chemicals, viruses and bacteria, and consequently cardiovascular diseases and cancer," said Professor Aviram.   His research shows that pomegranate juice contains the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices, red wine, green tea, tomatoes, vitamin E and other headline makers.   Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have independently confirmed that pomegranate juice contains at least three major antioxidants.  Pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidant power of red wine or green tea (using the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity test).

POMEGRANATES FOR HEART DISEASE

The recent interest in the antioxidant power of pomegranates began primarily in 2000 when a group of scientists in Israel demonstrated the effectiveness of pomegranates in treating atherosclerosis.  The research was headed by Professor Michael Aviram, an internationally recognized authority on the effect of food on heart disease.  Professor Aviram was the first to prove the beneficial effects of red wine on cholesterol oxidation in humans.

"Antioxidants can protect us against the oxidative stress in our industrialized world, such as pollution, chemicals, viruses and bacteria, and consequently cardiovascular diseases and cancer," said Professor Aviram.   His research shows that pomegranate juice contains the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices, red wine, green tea, tomatoes, vitamin E and other headline makers.   Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have independently confirmed that pomegranate juice contains at least three major antioxidants.  Pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidant power of red wine or green tea (using the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity test).

For the Heart:

Dr. Aviram and his scientific research group tested pomegranate juice on both humans and laboratory mice which were genetically predisposed to develop heart disease.  They found that pomegranate juice decreased LDL ("bad cholesterol") and increased HDL ("good cholesterol") by 20% in humans.  The oxidation of LDL, which is believed by many researchers to be a major cause of heart disease, was reduced by up to 90%.

This sounds very promising for those wishing to prevent atherosclerosis--But what about getting rid of the plaque build-up that already exists in the arteries which can cause a heart attack or stroke?  Fortunately, pomegranate juice consumption significantly reduced the size of arterial plaque both in human subjects and mice.  Nineteen patients from 65 to 75 years of age with severe carotid artery stenosis (70 to 90 percent occlusion) were given 50 ml of concentrated, pasteurized pomegranate juice daily.  This concentrate was equivalent to 8.3 ounces of 100% pomegranate juice.  After one year the mean carotid artery thickness was reduced 35%.  During the same time period the mean artery thickness significantly increased in the placebo group.  The arterial plaque in laboratory mice was reduced by as much as 44%.

In this research conducted over a three year period, Professor Aviram and his research group further showed that pomegranate juice could significantly lower the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive patients in just two weeks.  Patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease showed great improvement in many important physiological measurements and pathological signs compared to the control group.  The Aviram research group concluded that pomegranate juice can offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases which may be attributable to its antioxidative properties.

POMEGRANATE FOR CANCER

Recent scientific research is demonstrating that pomegranate may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer such as breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.  Research using both mouse mammary organ culture and human breast cancer cells in vitro has demonstrated anticancer effects of pomegranate extracts.  Dr. Hasan Mukhtar and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin have shown that a topically-applied pomegranate fruit extract can block skin tumor formation in mice.  Another study demonstrated significant antitumor activity of pomegranate-derived materials against human prostate cancer.  Yet another study shows the extracts of pomegranate can promote differentiation--the ability of cancer cells to revert to their normal counterparts.

Pomegranates are the richest source of a natural substance called ellagic acid.  According to master herbalist and certified nutritionist Donald Yance in his book HERBAL MEDICINE, HEALING & CANCER, ellagic acid "inhibits cancer formation and is believed to inhibit cancer mutation by latching onto DNA-masking sensitive sites on the genetic material that might otherwise be occupied by harmful chemicals.  Ellagic acid is particularly effective in the inhibition of lung cancer caused by tobacco."

Pomegranate also contains the anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (flavonoids), which are substances that have been shown in animal and test tube experiments to reduce tumor angiogenesis.

    More Pomegranate Benefits

Pomegranate has been gaining popularity for menopausal symptoms due to the increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease and strokes from artificial hormone replacement therapy.  Certain herbs contain estrogen-like substances that do not have the serious side effects of prescription medications.  Pomegranate contains estrone, a natural estrogen which is also produced by the human body.  According to one study using mice, pomegranate extract improved the menopausal symptoms of depression and bone loss.

Pomegranate has also shown to possess anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.  The bark of the tree and root have been used in traditional medicine to eliminate tapeworms. 

Ellagic Acid Background

Ellagic Acid, a phenolic compound, is a proven anti-carcinogen, anti-mutagen, and anti-cancer initiator.

Ellagic Acid - History of Cancer Prevention

Published research on ellagic acid appeared in the early 1970s. First true studies began in early 1990. However, folklore remedies involving phytochemical extracts fhave been around for centuries.

Ellagic Acid - Evidence

Research indicates that Ellagic Acid slows the growth of abnormal colon cells in humans, prevents the development of cells infected with human papilloma virus (HPV) which is linked to cervical cancer, and promotes apoptotic growth (natural death) of prostate cancer cells. The apoptotic process, triggered by this antioxidant ellagitannin) also has beneficial effects on breast, lung, esophageal, and skin cancer (melanoma). Medical studies in Europe further show that ellagic acid reduces the occurrence of birth defects, promotes wound healing, reduces and reverses chemically induced liver fibrosis, and is helpful in the fight against heart disease.

Inhibition of carcinogenesis by Ellagic acid has been demonstrated in animals with oesophagus, tongue, lung, colon, liver, and skin tumors. Ellagic acid inhibits the initiation of tumors through a number of mechanisms, including inhibition of metabolic activation of carcinogenic compounds (such as polycyclic hydrocarbons, nitroso-containing chemicals or food preservatives, and aflatoxins) into forms that induce cell DNA damage.