Effects of a Pomegranate Fruit Extract rich in punicalagin on oxidation-sensitive genes and eNOS activity at sites of perturbed shear stress and atherogenesis

Atherosclerosis is enhanced in arterial segments exposed to disturbed flow. Perturbed shear stress increases the expression of oxidation-sensitive responsive genes (such as ELK-1 and p-CREB). Polyphenolic antioxidants contained in the juice derived from the pomegranate contribute to the reduction of oxidative stress and atherogenesis during disturbed shear stress.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the effects of intervention with the Pomegranate Fruit Extract (PFE) rich in polyphones (punicalagin, which is a potent antioxidant) on ELK-1, p-CREB, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression induced by high shear stress in vitro and in vivo.

Results: At the doses used in the study, both the PFE and the regular pomegranate juice concentrate reduced the activation of ELK-1 and p-CREB and increased eNOS expression (which was decreased by perturbed shear stress) in cultured human endothelial cells and in atherosclerosis-prone areas of hypercholesterolemic mice. PFE and pomegranate juice increased cyclic GMP levels while there was no significant effect of both compounds on the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline. Administration of these compounds to hypercholesterolemic mice significantly reduced the progression of atherosclerosis and isoprostane levels and increased nitrates. This protective effect was relevant with PFE. Vasomotor reactivity was improved and EC₂₅ values in response to Ach and NONOate were significantly increased in treated mice in comparison to controls.

Conclusion: This study indicates that the proatherogenic effects induced by perturbed shear stress can be also reversed by chronic administration of PFE.

http://cardiovascres.oxfordjournals.org/content/73/2/414.full

Got Prunes? Drop the Milk for This Exceptional Bone Builder

Ask anyone to name the one food that is best for building strong bones and you will, of course, hear overwhelmingly that it is milk. But not so fast - when it comes to improving bone health in postmenopausal women — and people of all ages for that matter — one researcher says prunes are a superstar for preventing fractures and osteoporosis.

Bahram H. Arjmandi, a Florida State professor and chairman of the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, tested 100 postmenopausal women over a 12-month period. 

One group of 55 women was instructed to consume 100 grams of dried plums (about 10 prunes) each day. Second control group of 45 women was told to consume 100 grams of dried apples. 

All of the study's participants also received daily doses of calcium (500 milligrams) and vitamin D (400 international units).

The results of the study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that the women eating prunes had significantly higher bone mineral density in the ulna (one of two long bones in the forearm) and spine, compared to the dried apple group. Arjmandi attributes the effect in part to the ability of prunes to suppress the rate of bone resorption, or the breakdown of bone, which tends to exceed the rate of new bone growth as people age.

Arjmandi recommends eating up to 10 prunes a day.  After years of comparing them to other fruits including figs, dates, strawberries and raisins, he says prunes are exceptional in their effect on bone mineral density.  That's not a surprising statement considering that his research was funded in part by the California Dried Plum Board.  But is it really true?   

The real bone magic in prunes is their high concentration of polyphenols.  These are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce bone loss.  And prunes are a good source of boron and copper, two trace minerals important in the formation of bones.

But many other fruits are also rich in polyphenols including apples, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, pears, pomegranates, raspberries, and strawberries.

And some of them might be better than prunes for another reason.  Prunes (along with cranberries and blueberries) are one of the few fruits that tend to shift your blood pH from alkaline to acid.  When that happens too much and acid levels are too high, your system can leach calcium from your bones to bring itself back to a healthy acid/alkaline balance. 

That's not to say that you shouldn't eat prunes, cranberries or blueberries.  It's all about moderation and balance.  Bone health requires a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as bone-building fish, meat and stocks. 

So, yes, prunes are good for your bones.  But keep in mind that just eating 10 prunes a day, even if you love them, is not a quick fix for building a strong skeleton. 

   

For more about feeding your bones a healthy diet, research the hundreds of natural compounds that have been studied to support bone health, and read Dr. Annemarie Colbin's The Whole-Food Guide to Strong Bones: A Holistic Approach.

Benefits Of Grape Seed Oil

The benefits of grape seed oil, has the same antioxidants as green tea, black tea, berries and red wine.

Grape seed oil benefits can do wonders for your skin and health.

The antioxidants in the oil are called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), known for their health giving properties, and are more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E.

seeds inside the grapes used for grape seed oil 200x300 Benefits Of Grape Seed Oil

Grape seed oil is made by cold-pressing the grape seeds, after they have been used to make wine. It is used in many facial and body care products, and is known for its anti aging effects.

It is very rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, and can be found in many products such as; soaps, hair care, cosmetics, facial creams, body creams, bath oils, lip balms and anything else you can think of.

Grape seed oil contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Polyphenols can help slow the process of aging, as well as having anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties, which also makes it great for helping clear up acne.

Using this oil will help prevent pores clogging and breakouts, it is very good for oily skin as well.

Grape seed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid essential for the health of the skin and cell membranes.

This is the reason why it makes such a wonderful moisturizer, as it really nourishes your skin, helping keep it smooth and subtle.

It is known for its ability to lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling more supple and smooth, and it does not leave a greasy feeling, which makes it ideal to use on all skin types.

The benefits of grapeseed oil is its ability to be easily absorbed into the skin, instead of sitting on top of the skin. This helps fight free radicals and stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue.

As it is a natural oil, it will inhibit problems such as fine lines and wrinkles, caused by the loss of collagen and elastin.

Along with vitamin C, grape seed oil is able to help the skin with the production of collagen. Make sure you are always using organic cold pressed Grape seed Oil.

There are plenty of products you can use to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but most of these products are only temporary. Whereas, a natural oil like grape seed can offer a more permanent solution.

As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which is the cause of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. So, it makes sense to use a natural oil like grape seed to help beat the aging process, and keep you looking younger.

Grape seed extract is a way of taking it as a supplement, and has been extensively researched around the globe.

It is excellent for your circulatory system, and can help relieve varicose veins and spider veins. It is also useful in helping with a number of other conditions such as;

• premenstrual syndrome
• dental cavities
• cancer
• chronic venous insufficiency (damaged valves in the veins, carrying blood to the heart)

Uses for Grape Seed Oil

It is widely used in cooking by many great chefs, and becoming more popular for the health conscious, to have a bottle in their kitchen pantry, next to the olive oil of course!

It is cholesterol free and will help lower low density lipoproteins (LDL), bad cholesterol, and raise high density lipoproteins (HDL), good cholesterol.

You can use the oil for stir fries, marinades, salad dressings, baking and deep-frying. Until I did this post, I never considered using grape seed oil for cooking, I now use it all the time.

Grape seed oil is largely used as a massage oil, and gives great relief for a tired and stressed out body.

If you are considering taking a supplement, take only the best, natural, synthetic and chemical free supplements.

Remember, when taking grape seed oil supplements, you need to take them consistently over a period of time, to reap the health benefits of grapeseed oil.

The benefits of grape seed oil for aging skin is definitely worth it.