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- Antioxidant properties growth was significantly inhibited and survival was prolonged. In The antioxidant properties of the pomegranate are also effective men with recurrent prostate cancer, drinking 8 oz/day of against other health conditions including atherosclerosis, arterial pomegranate juice significantly increases the time it takes for an and heart inflammation and high blood pressure. These properties increase in levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), an indicator are also useful for protection of the liver and kidneys from free of prostate cancer." radical damage, for fighting bacteria and for promoting the activity of other antioxidants. - Nitric oxide support For the past several years, Israeli researchers, led by Dr Pomegranate juice was tested for its capacity to protect nitric Michael Aviram (Lipid Research Laboratory, Rappaport Family oxide (NO) against oxidative destruction. Pomegranate juice was Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Rambam Medical found to be a potent inhibitor of superoxide anion-mediated Center, Haifa), have been focusing on the antioxidant properties disappearance of NO. It was much more potent than Concord as well as the potential cardiovascular benefits of pomegranate grape juice, blueberry juice, red wine, ascorbic acid and dl-alpha- juice.’ In one study, pomegranate juice was found to reduce tocopherol. These observations indicate that pomegranate juice atherosclerotic lesion size in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. An _ possesses potent antioxidant activity that results in marked ex vivo study with healthy male volunteers found that protection of nitric oxide against oxidative destruction, thereby consumption of 50 mL of concentrated pomegranate juice per day resulting in augmentation of the biological actions of NO."* (equal to 8 oz/day of 100% juice) reduced LDL susceptibility to oxidation and increased activity of serum paraoxonase (PON1). = More pomegranate research Finally, a clinical trial found that consumption of 50 mL of In addition to the aforementioned positive studies, details on the concentrated pomegranate juice per day (equal to 8 oz/day of following research results can be seen on Dr Ray Sahelian's web 100% juice) for two weeks resulted in page, _http://www.raysahelian.com/ a 36 per cent decrease in serum pomegranate.html: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) oo. . * Pomegranate fruit extracts can block activity and a five per cent reduction The antioxidant properties enzymes that contribute to osteoarthritis, in systolic blood Ss in 10 slowing the deterioration of cartilage. comets Mo evs" 10 | of the pomegranate are Smeaton hypertension. The reviewed study also effective against pregnancy may help reduce the risk of with pomegranate juice is a A A brain injuries in babies. continuation of their work and atherosclerosis, arterial ¢ Pomegranate fruit extract can block hopefully the beginning of new, and heart inflammation skin tumour formation, at least in mice excitin findings into the . exposed to a cancer-causing agent. s " and high blood pressure. P ous cardiovascular health benefits. Moreover, mice treated with pomegranate developed fewer skin tumours than = Pomegranates versus arterial untreated mice. plaque and atherosclerosis * Concentrated pomegranate juice A pilot research study involved 19 elderly individuals who had _ improves lipid profiles in diabetic patients with hyperlipidaemia atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, where plaque was and may modify heart disease risk factors. already built up to a dangerous level. Ten of the patients drinking * Pomegranate juice consumption for three years by patients just 8 oz of pomegranate juice a day for one year had up to a 30 _ with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media per cent decrease in the thickness of the lining of their carotid thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. artery, while the control group made up of nine patients who ¢ Pomegranate juice may produce positive effects against didn't drink the juice actually had an increase of nine per cent. In —_ Alzheimer's disease. addition, those who drank the pomegranate juice also had a 21 per There have been numerous research studies that provide cent decrease in their systolic blood pressure." evidence for the positive influence of pomegranate derivatives on As reported in the August 2006 issue of Atherosclerosis: high blood pressure, arterial and heart inflammation, kidney and "Pomegranate juice can reduce the risk for atherosclerosis, and liver protection, and in fighting bacterial diseases. thus the risk of death for diabetics, since the condition leads to arterial wall thickening and hardening, and accounts for 80 per What to look for in pomegranate products cent of deaths for diabetic patients. It also reduces the uptake of Most important in choosing pomegranate products, as with any bad cholesterol, according to studies at Technion-Israel Institute plant extract, is the question of whether any toxic chemicals such of Technology..."" as herbicides, pesticides and chemical solvents were used in the o~ thaca growth was significantly inhibited and survival was prolonged. In men with recurrent prostate cancer, drinking 8 oz/day of pomegranate juice significantly increases the time it takes for an increase in levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), an indicator of prostate cancer." - Nitric oxide support Pomegranate juice was tested for its capacity to protect nitric oxide (NO) against oxidative destruction. Pomegranate juice was found to be a potent inhibitor of superoxide anion-mediated disappearance of NO. It was much more potent than Concord grape juice, blueberry juice, red wine, ascorbic acid and dl-alpha- tocopherol. These observations indicate that pomegranate juice possesses potent antioxidant activity that results in marked protection of nitric oxide against oxidative destruction, thereby resulting in augmentation of the biological actions of NO."* The antioxidant properties of the pomegranate are also effective against atherosclerosis, arterial and heart inflammation What to look for in pomegranate products Most important in choosing pomegranate products, as with any plant extract, is the question of whether any toxic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and chemical solvents were used in the cultivation or extraction of the product. The residues of these compounds often remain in the plant material, producing powerful free radicals. As an example of a reliable source, Georgian pomegranates are usually grown wild and harvested from land without such contamination. I understand the Californian Pom Wonderful company is also well respected in terms of its methods of cultivation and extraction. The majority of plant-based nutritional substances are extracted using toxic organic solvents, the residue of which remains on the plant material contained in the product—so, buyer beware! - Benefits for prostate cancer According to a study of older men published in the 1 July 2006 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, pomegranate juice packs a punch on prostate cancer that prolongs post-surgery PSA doubling time, drives down cancer cell proliferation and causes prostate cancer cells to die."* Pomegranate extract may prevent prostate cancer or slow its growth, according to results of lab experiments conducted at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. When human prostate cancer cells were injected into mice, feeding the animals pomegranate extract delayed the appearance of tumours. Tumour APRIL — MAY 2007 NEXUS # 23 and high blood pressure. Continued on page 76 www.nexusmagazine.com