Pomegranates, like diamonds, are forever..
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Could osteoarthritis be brought to its knees by a simple fruit? Researchers aren't making that declaration just yet. But they have found signs that natural compounds called antioxidants in pomegranates may thwart osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, with more than 20 million patients in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The pomegranate study was done at Case Western Reserve University. The researchers included Tariq Haqqi, PhD, a professor of medicine. The results appear in The Journal of Nutrition. Pomegranate Project Pomegranate extract was pitted against osteoarthritis in lab tests. That's not the same as tests on people or animals, but it's a first step. Pomegranate extract did two things in those lab tests. It cut levels of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin-1b (IL-1b). It also curbed enzymes that erode cartilage. Cartilage is a hard but slippery coating on the end of each bone that helps bones slide smoothly past each other. Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage is broken down; exposed bone breaks down, causing pain, inflammation, and disability. First Findings This is the first study to show pomegranate's potential against osteoarthritis, note the researchers. The results "indicate the pomegranate fruit extract or compounds derived from it may inhibit cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis and may also be a useful nutritive supplement for maintaining joint integrity and function," they write. Researcher's Comments "Arthritis is one of the foremost diseases for which patients seek herbal or traditional medicine treatments," says Haqqi in a news release. "However, all the extracts and herbs have not been scientifically evaluated for their efficacy and safety. Indeed, some of them may even interfere with current treatments," he continues. "Therefore, careful use of supplements and herbal medicines during early stages of disease or treatment may be made to limit the disease progression," says Haqqi. As always, discuss any supplement use with your doctor. Pomegranate Potion The researchers didn't just crack open a pomegranate and put it in a blender. They also didn't use juice from the supermarket. Instead, they made their own pomegranate extract from powdered pomegranate. Sophisticated filtering and measuring was used for science's sake. The pomegranate has "been revered through the ages for its medicinal uses," write the researchers. Antioxidants in pomegranates fight inflammation and may also counter cancer and heart disease. In May, researchers reported that pomegranate juice may help prevent the return of prostate cancer. In March, another study showed that pomegranate juice may fight hardening of the arteries. Pomegranate Season Pomegranates are in season in the U.S. in the fall. They've got a thick, red, leathery skin. The seeds inside are the edible part. Want to try a pomegranate? You might want to wear a bib or old clothes. The seeds leave a very strong stain and are used as a dye.
Sources: Ahmed, S. The Journal of Nutrition, September 2005; vol 135: pp 2096-2102. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, "Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis." News release, Case Western Reserve University. WebMD Medical News: "Pomegranate Juice May Curb Prostate Cancer." WebMD Medical News: "Pomegranate Juice May Clear Clogged Arteries." U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The antioxidant-rich pomegranate is hailed by fitness experts, health officials and the media
The all-powerful pomegranate. The health benefits of this delicious exotic fruit are extraordinary: pomegranate juice has almost three times the antioxidant potency of an equal volume of green tea or red wine.
And for an aging society that is increasingly health conscious, that rightfully puts pomegranates on a very high pedestal. Why? Because antioxidants help neutralize free radical damage. Free radicals are highly reactive chemical substances that can damage our body’s cellular materials. Free radicals have been linked to major degenerative illnesses and accelerated aging.
According to a study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Pomegranates are proving to be the most powerful antioxidant source available, better than red wine, tomatoes, vitamin E and a variety of other headline makers.”
You know the pomegranate is hot when even the fashion press shouts its praises. A recent article in Vogue magazine exclaims: “Move over, blueberries - it’s all about pomegranates. Scientists have been obsessing over the fruit more than ever. Labs have discovered pomegranates are good for the heart!”
Flex magazine writes: “Pomegranates are a great source of antioxidants, in fact, the juice from pomegranates is higher in antioxidants than any other drink.”
And a Reuters story was headlined: “Pomegranate Juice Each Day May Keep the Cardiologist Away.”
Flex magazine writes: “Pomegranates are a great source of antioxidants, in fact, the juice from pomegranates is higher in antioxidants than any other drink.”
And a Reuters story was headlined: “Pomegranate Juice Each Day May Keep the Cardiologist Away.”
This fruit may also help lower cholesterol, studies show. In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, men drinking pomegranate juice significantly increased the antioxidant level in their blood, and reduced oxidation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Other studies indicate a diversity of benefits beyond cardiovascular health.
Time magazine recently profiled the exceptional health benefits of the pomegranate fruit under the heading “Pomegranate Power.” Time writes: “The pomegranate, with its regal crown and sparkling scarlet arils, is the ‘in’ fruit among American’s leading health buffs. And for good reason - it has a tart, refreshing flavor, an ancient lineage, and provides a wallop of antioxidants.”
Pomegranates also contain various nutritious and pharmacological substances such as vitamins (B1, B2, C and niacin), minerals (potassium, in particular), amino acids (glutanic acid, aspartic acid), tannins (punicalagin, ellagic acid) and alkaloids (pelletierines).
And then, there is the all potent omega 5 oil that is extraced from the seed of pomegranates.
As a potent source of antioxidants, the pomegranate is rich in polyphenols, which promote heart health.
In a strong confirmation of the power of pomegranates to fight heart disease, studies of healthy human subjects showed why even moderate consumption of pomegranate juice could have significant clinical results.
According to studies at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the cholesterol oxidation process - which creates atherosclerotic lesions that narrow arteries and result in heart disease - was slowed by as much as 40 percent when healthy subjects drank 2 to 3 ounces of pomegranate juice a day for two weeks. Further, the juice reduced the retention of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol that after its oxidation aggregates and forms atherosclerotic lesions.
With the nutrition world only beginning to discover the many health potentials of this amazing fruit, it was a must to include a hearty dose of pomegranate in each 1-ounce serving of
!
ReferencesN. P. Seeram, S. M. Henning, Y. Zhang, M. Suchard, Z. Li, and D. Heber Pomegranate Juice Ellagitannin Metabolites; J. Nutr., October 1, 2006; 136(10): 2481 - 2485. B. L Halvorsen, M. H Carlsen, K. M Phillips, S. K Bohn, K. Holte, D. R Jacobs Jr, and R. Blomhoff Content of redox-active compounds (ie, antioxidants) in foods consumed in the United States; Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2006; 84(1): 95 - 135; American Technion Society Connections Electronic Newsletter June 25, 2003.
Omega 5 oil source: www.pomega5.com
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What Makes the Pomegranate So Special?
It’s true that other fruits contain many different types of antioxidants, but the pomegranate is the only one to contain the three major antioxidants: tannins, anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Antioxidants are what help to boost the body’s immune system. These high concentrations of antioxidants help to protect the body from the damaging effects of pollution, cancer diabetes and many other debilitating diseases. In some cases, increasing the body’s level of antioxidants is rumored to slow the aging process.
With such a high concentration of antioxidants, it’s no wonder that researchers believe that the major pomegranate benefits would help reduce heart disease, clogged arteries and hypertension. The Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in 2002 conducted by Israeli researchers that proved pomegranates to be effective in fighting the leading cause of heart disease, atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a build-up of plaque in the arteries, causing the arteries to harden as a person ages. Plaque can reduce the flow of blood through the arteries, placing more stress on the heart and raising blood pressure. When pieces of plaque break off, they can often clog major vessels leading to the heart or brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Cancer Treatment
No single food on its own can cure cancer. However, if the benefits of pomegranate juice are used in conjunction with other types of treatments, it could prove useful. Since antioxidants are reputed for preventing damage to cells, pomegranate benefits might be a part of the cure for lung, breast or skin cancer.
One study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison showed pomegranate juice as capable of genetically altering the cancer cells and causing them to die.
Norman LLoyds
When his grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s disease, Richard Hartman, PhD, assistant professor of psychology, School of Science and Technology, wanted to make a difference. “It was devastating to see the effects,” he recalls.
Dr. Hartman’s crushing experience with Alzheimer’s may help others fight off the disease. He found that a daily glass of pomegranate juice could halve the build-up of harmful proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, his study has shown that pomegranates work just as well as pharmaceutical medicines.
“This study is the first to show beneficial effects (both behavioral and neuropathological) of pomegranate juice in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Hartman, researcher and lead author of the study. He also collaborated with Washington University researchers on this project.
The study began with transgenic mice predisposed to develop Alzheimer’s-like pathology and symptoms. At a young age, the mice were split into two groups—half received water with added pomegranate-juice concentrate, and the control group received drinking water with the same amount of sugar a
Dr. Hartman’s research found that the mice who drank the pomegranate juice had 50 percent less beta-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus of their brains. s the juice. The mice drank an average of 5 milliliters of fluid a day, which is roughly equivalent to a human drinking one to two glasses of pomegranate juice a day. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were tested in the Morris water maze, which required the animals to swim and find a submerged platform in a pool of water.
The results are significant. After six months, the pomegranate juice-treated mice learned water maze tasks more quickly and swam faster; and the mice that drank the pomegranate juice had 50 percent less beta-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus of their brains.
Pomegranates contain very high levels of polyphenols (an antioxidant phytochemical that tends to prevent or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals) as compared to other fruits and vegetables.
This somewhat uncommon fruit is one of the first cultivated crops (with olives, grapes, figs, and dates), developed around 4000 to 3000 BC in the Middle East. It was also used as a folk medicine throughout the ages for a variety of ailments, and it is mentioned in many of the world’s major religions.
The study, titled “Pome-granate juice decreases amyloid load and improves behavior in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease,” is featured in the December 2006 journal Neurobiology of Disease.
The Pomegranate-A-Day™ Oil Formula is a miracle of Nature. It is the answer to the prayers of vegetarian and non-vegetarian alike. Women and men, young and the old.
The Pomegranate-A-Day™ Oil Formula is an all natural dietary supplement, specially formulated and designed with extraordinary health-enhancing properties to create a potent anti-oxidant formula that supports the maintenance of balanced cholesterol levels and a healthy cardiovascular system with improved cellular function and immune system.
We combine therapeutic levels of six all-natural ingredients, each one with extraordinary health-enhancing properties to create a potent antioxidant formula: pomegranate seed oil, pomegranate skin 60% ellagic acid, activated humic-fulvic acid, Sun-flower lecithin, Ionica™ activated concentrated ionic minerals and lemon essential oil (certified organic).
This first ever pomegranate seed/skin combination takes advantage of the full benefits of what this historic pomegranate really has to offer. We believe that the proven additional benefits of grape skin and grape seed combined are also true when pomegranate skin and seed are combined in The Pomegranate-A-Day™ Oil Formula.
As they work in unison, these special ingredients achieve maximum synergy and bio-absorption in our unique, first ever pomegranate seed oil-based formula which is made available in vegan-friendly capsules. Search as you might, you will find nothing to compare with The Pomegranate-A-Day™ pomegranate seed oil capsule for its range of possible benefits to your body and mind.
Our supercharging process activates the humic and fulvic acids with the Ionica™ Concentrated Ionic Minerals to transform them into a highly bio-available and potent complex.
Pomegranate seed oil (Cold Pressed):
With no equal among all other plant oils, the storied pomegranate seed oil cultivated since Biblical times is a unique source of the rare fatty acid, punicic acid, which is a conjugated form of linolenic acid CLnA, a technical analogue to CLA. Early studies reveal the great promise of Pomegranate Seed Oil as a rival to animal-derived CLA. Indeed, Japanese studies have shown CLnA to be superior to CLA.
Also present in the oil is the isoflavone, genistein, the richest plant source for phytoestrogen coumestrol (female steroidal estrogen hormone) and the sex steroid estrone. This form of estrone is known to be the mildest and one of the safest steroidal estrogens.
Richie Ong
Research Article
Antioxidant activity of plant extracts on the inhibition of citral off-odor formation
Chia-Pei Liang 1, Mingfu Wang 2, James E. Simon 2, Chi-Tang Ho *
1Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Fax: +1-732-932-6776
2Center for New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
email: Chi-Tang Ho (ho@aesop.rutgers.edu)
*Correspondence to Chi-Tang Ho, 1Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Fax: +1-732-932-6776
Keywords
Antioxidant • Citral degradation • Off-odor • Phenolic compounds
Abstract
Grape seed, pomegranate seed, green tea, and black tea extracts were used to inhibit the off-odor from citral degradation. A 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 3), containing 100 ppm citral and 200 ppm gallic acid equivalent plant extract, was incubated at 40°C. The reaction mixtures were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at days 0, 6, 10, 13, and 16 to monitor degradation of citral and formation of , p-dimethylstyrene, p-cymene-8-ol, and p-methylacetophenone. The addition of plant phenolic extracts could not inhibit citral degradation, however, all four plant extracts significantly inhibited p-methylacetophenone formation. The samples, with the addition of plant extracts, exhibited higher concentrations of , p-dimethylstyrene and p-cymene-8-ol than the control. This is presumed to be due to the oxygen-scavenging effect of plant extracts blocking the pathway from p-cymene-8-ol to p-methylacetophenone. Our results suggest that these plant extracts act as general antioxidants inhibiting the generation of p-methylacetophenone regardless of the types of water-soluble phenolic compounds existing in the plant extracts.
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Received: 19 February 2004; Revised: 21 March 2004
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