 Pomegranate fruit originating from the tree Punica
granatum has long been thought to possess general health and anti-cancer
properties via its high concentration of polyphenols and anti-oxidants,
particularly ellagic acid.
Why
are antioxidants and plant polyphenols important?
Polyphenols are natural plant based
chemicals found in healthy foods which enhance our health and protect us from
illnesses. Their antioxidant properties protect us from environmental and
ingested chemicals which damage our DNA via a process called oxidation. Many
studies have linked anti-oxidant rich foods with a lower risk of cancer and
other chronic illnesses such as high cholesterol, dementia, arthritis, skin
aging and macular degeneration (blindness). There are studies which report that
the polyphenols and anti-oxidants in pomegranate could have an anti-cancer effect.
Anti-cancer
properties of pomegranate
Laboratory
studies show it inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in androgen sensitive
human prostate cancer cells and implanted animal models [Retitig 2008].
In humans, in a phase II study, the PSA doubling time (PSAdt)
significantly prolonged from 15 to 54 months in men with PSA relapse given 200ml
pomegranate juice a day. The serum baseline oxidative state also significantly
lowered after consumption [Pantuck 2006]. This was supported by a study from
Johns Hopkins which gave men with PSA progressive prostate cancer, pomegranate
seed extract for 6 months. The PSAdt extended from 12 to 19 months and androgen
levels in men did not change [Carducci 2011].
These laboratory and clinical studies have
confirmed that pomegranate has no androgenic or oestrogenic properties in the
laboratory or humans. A further study using high performance liquid
chromatography confirmed no steroid androgens or estrogens within pomegranates [Choi
2006]. The only potential issue was
a small study from Edinburgh which gave volunteers pomegranate juice daily.
After 2 weeks there was a significant reduction in blood pressure, elevation in
mood and lowering of anxiety but they also found that salivary testosterone
levels increased [Al-Dujaili 2012]. No explanation was given but as pomegranate
has no direct androgen activities this is likely to reflect a general
improvement in the metabolism and a reduction in stress, which is associated
with higher salivary testosterone [Hellhammer 1985].
Safety
issues
Pomegranate, like many fruit juices, is a weak inhibitor of
cytochrome P450 (CYP2C9). There is, therefore, a small potential risk of
reducing the metabolism, and thereby increasing serum levels, of warfarin and
anti-hypertensives such as captopril, ramipril or anti-consulsants such a
carbimazole (for more details see; www.rxlist.com). Individuals on warfarin or
these blood pressure tablets are not excluded from taking Pomi-t and no adverse
changes in blood pressure or INR were reported in the Pomi-T study but it may be
advisable repeat a blood pressure and an INR test within two weeks of starting.
Many antioxidants including those in curcumin, green tea pomegranate and
broccoli extract can inhibit apoptosis induced by some chemotherapy drugs. There are cell line data to suggest that anti-oxidants can
possibly reduce the action of chemotherapy although this has not been
substantiated in humans [Somasundaram 2002]. In
view of this potential interaction taking regular Pomi-T during chemotherapy is
best avoided.
Our
recommendation: Pomegranate (whole) extract combination
 Eating
pomegranate can be pleasant and tasty but the seed contains more of the
anti-oxidants which is not absorbed if eating the fruit or drinking the juice
-taking a crushed seed extract supplement ensures a higher daily dose.. There
are many pomegranate extracts are available on the open market but it would be
advisable to take a tablet which has a good quality source of the whole fruit
with the sugar removed and has been combined with other anti-oxidant rich
foods.
Pomi-T® contains
a broad range of healthy plant based polyphenols and antioxidants within four
natural super food green tea | broccoli
| pomegranate | turmeric.
The whole food ingredients have been dried, concentrated then squeezed into a
tablet for a convenient way to boost daily intake. The rationale for combining
four different foods types (berry, vegetable, spice and leaf) was to provide a
wide spectrum of naturally healthy polyphenol nutrients, whilst at the same time
avoiding over-consumption of one particular type. Ingredients were also selected
to avoid foods with high phytoestrogenic or hormonal properties. Each
supplement tablets contains:
Active ingredients:
No
additives bulking
or caking agents:
Broccoli Powder 150mg
Turmeric Powder 150mg
Pomegranate seed powder 150mg
Green Tea 5:1 extract 30mg equivalent to 150mg
Pomi-T®
has been investigated in a UK Government approved national scientific
study which has the highest possible scientific design, the gold standard of all
trials - A double blind, randomised (RCT) placebo controlled trial. The study is
sponsored by the charity Prostate Action, has been adopted by the National
Cancer Research Network (NCRN), has UK Ethics Committee certification and is
independently audited to ensure adherence to European Good Clinical Practice
Guidelines (GCP). The chief investigator Professor Robert Thomas is Chair of
McMillan Survivorship Expert Advisory Committee and is a consultant Oncologist
at Bedford, Cranfield and Cambridge University Hospitals. The trial is currently
the world’s largest RCT of a food supplement to date and the full results will
be available in early 2013.
Contact information: Pomi-T
is manufactured in the UK, from natural
ingredients, to the highest quality assurance standards and EU compliance
regulations. Pomi-T is owned by natureMedical
Products. Website:
www.pomi-t.com | Email:
support@pomi-t.com
References
Al-Dujaili
et al. Benefits of pomegranate consumption (2012). Endocrine Abstracts 28, 313.
Carducci et al. A phase II study of
pomegranate extract for men with rising PSA (2011). JCO, 29: 7, 11.
Chan et al. Role of diet in prostate cancer development and progression (2005).
JCO, 23(32): 8152.
Choi et al. The structure of pomegranate has no hormonal component (2006). Mass
Spec Food Chem, 96; 4, 562.
Davigulus et al. Vitamin C diet and prostate cancer risk. Epidemiology 2006, (5)
474-7.
Giovannucci et al . A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and cancer
risk (2002). Journal NCI, 94, 391-398.
Hellhammer D et al Salivary testosterone and stress.
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Heinen
MM et al. Intake of antioxidant nutrients and the risk of skin cancer (2007) EJC
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Joseph MA, et
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Khan N et al Pomegranate inhibits growth of primary lung tumors in mice.
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M, et al.
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Retitig et al
Pomegranate extract inhibits growth in androgen specific cell lines Mol Cancer
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Sarkar et al. Indole-3-carbinol and
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Shah BH et al. Inhibitory effect of curcumin, on platelet-activating
factor (1999) Biochem Pharmacol. 58(7):1167.
Somasundaram et al. Curcumin inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in models
of cancer. Cancer Res. 2002;62(13):3868.
Sonn et al Impact of diet on prostate
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Steward et al Curcurmin in cancer management(2008). Molecular Nutrition
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Shanafelt TD
et al Phase I Trial of tea extract Daily in
patients with CLL. (2009). J Clin Oncol; 27(23): 3808–3814.
Sun CL et al Green
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Thomas et al. Can dietary intervention alter prostate cancer
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Thomas et al. A double blind RCT of lifestyle in patients with prostate
cancer. (2009) Nutrition & Food
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Wilkinson et
al Critical review of complementary therapies for prostate cancer (2003). JCO,
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