Forbidden Fruit
Growing up, pomegranates were the forbidden fruit in my house. Not for their mythological history as a symbol of temptation and fertility, but for the mess they can produce — especially in the paws of a 7-year-old. My brother and I were allowed to eat maybe one or two a year when they were in season, and only after begging Mom at the grocery store enough times to buy us one that she could no longer resist.
It was quite the ritual, too. Newspaper or paper towels were strewn over the kitchen table, and we changed into old clothes and covered up with an art smock, making sure our sleeves were rolled up enough. I know I loved the taste of the little seeds and how they burst in my mouth, but the ritual also made them seem more special and exotic, somehow elevated from our usual fare of apples, pears, bananas, and grapes.
Today, evidence is growing that those juicy crimson seeds contain health benefits far beyond what my mother realized — or she might not have resisted our pleas so much. New studies are seeking to prove that the pomegranate — or “seeded apple” — has nutritional and medicinal qualities that might make it the next superfood. They’re emerging as a heavyweight champion among antioxidant powerhouses, possibly beating out green tea and red wine in polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins.
Improved function of blood vessels, reduction in the hardening of arteries, improved heart health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol are potential pomegranate benefits all under consideration.
For example, one recent study showed that people who supplemented with pomegranate juice year-round experienced a 21 percent decrease in systolic blood pressure after one year, and their total antioxidant status (TAS) was increased by 130 percent during the same period. We’ll keep you posted on more study results as they come in.
In the meantime, you no longer need to restrict your consumption to the early fall when whole pomegranates are abundant in the supermarket. There are commercial juices that are made from the entire pomegranate seed, not just the juice, and thus confer the entire benefit of the fruit. These cocktails have been shown in studies to contain as much as three times the level of polyphenols found in red wine or green tea. This is especially good news for teetotalers who have been missing out on the health benefits of red wine in particular.
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Spring fever
Q: I can’t stand it. I look forward to spring for months, only to suffer from the minute the first flower sprouts up. I have a job that I can’t do if I’m drowsy, which leaves out many of the remedies available in the drugstore. Can you please tell me what you suggest to your patients for some relief without resorting to allergy medications?
JVW: A tried-and-true approach I’ve used with my patients for years is based on a study from 1952 that showed the effectiveness of a specific supplement combination: the amino acid L-tyrosine and two of the B-vitamins, niacinamide (B3) and pyridoxine (B6). The three only work on allergy symptoms when taken together, but that’s fairly easy to accomplish by taking an L-tyrosine supplement along with a B-complex vitamin supplement (which will give you even more B vitamins — and overall health benefits — than the niacinamide and pyridoxine alone).
For mild allergies, I recommend a total daily dose of 800-2,400 milligrams of L-tyrosine, 10-30 milligrams of B6, and 40-120 milligrams of B3, split into four smaller doses per day. Both L-tyrosine and B-vitamins are widely available in natural or health food stores.
Also helpful to combat the sniffling and sneezing is a nasal spray containing the simple sugar, xylitol. Xylitol works by not allowing allergens, like pollen, to stick to the nasal membranes. It promotes normal nasal drainage and has a great effect on allergies if used consistently. I recommend a product called Xlear, which you can find at most natural and health food stores as well.
Finally, for your itchy, watery eyes, eye drops made of vitamin A and vitamin C work wonders. You’ll want the solution to contain the following:
Vitamin A (from Aquasol A) – 2,500 IU/cc Vitamin C (from IV solution) – 250 mg/cc, pH adjusted
One or two drops in each eye, every 3-4 hours ought to help a great deal. If the solution stings, you can reduce the amount of vitamin C to 125 mg/cc. You’ll need to contact a compounding pharmacy to have them made but they usually don’t need a prescription. Just remember, it oxidizes and spoils very quickly, so only get a small batch and keep it in the refrigerator. If it starts to turn brown, you’re ready for a new batch.
For a compounding pharmacy near you contact the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (281-933-8400; www.iacprx.org). Even if there are none in close proximity, many can ship items directly to you.
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What is…the history of the pomegranate?
Pomegranates have been at the heart of some of the most famous mythological tales from all over the world. In Greek mythology, the pomegranate is the centerpieces in a tale involving the goddess Persephone and Hades, the god of the underworld.
But the Greeks aren’t alone in the inclusion of the pomegranate in its most sacred rituals and mythology. Iranians believe that Eve was tempted with a pomegranate in the Garden of Eden. The Prophet Mohammed urged his followers to eat the fruit in the belief that it purges the system of envy and hatred. And the Chinese eat a sugared version of the seed at weddings because it is thought to bless the newlyweds.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
Sources: Aviram M, et al. “Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation.” Clin Nutr. 2004; 23(3): 423-433.
Gil MI, Tomas-Barberan FA, et al. “Antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice and its relationship with phenolic composition and processing.” J Agric Food Chem. 2000; 48(10): 4,581-4,589
Withmann RR, Keye JD. “Epinephrine precursors in control of allergy.” Northwest Medicine 1952; 51: 588-590
