Posted on 11. Jan, 2010 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D. in Men's Health
Pomegranate—concentrated prostate protection.
The Prostate Gland: Who Needs It?
About the size of a walnut, positioned precariously below the bladder and surrounding the urethra—for men, the prostate gland is the key to reproductive and sexual health.
Each year more than five-hundred thousand men worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer. African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer while Asian men have the lowest.
In America, each year, more than 192,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed and more than 27,000 men will die as a result.
Pomegranate: Powerful Prostate Protection
Until recently, prostate cancer prevention was nothing more than a pipe-dream.
Now a recent study from the University of Mississippi offers a real alternative.
The anti-oxidant properties of the polyphenols found within the pomegranate have previously been recognized for their cardio-protective benefits. Now, the anti-prostate cancer benefits have been established.
According to the researchers, pomegranate extract inhibits an enzyme found in the liver known as CYP1B1. If left unattended, CYP1B1 metabolizes naturally occurring hormones and manufactures environmentally-induced cancer causing agents.
CYP1B1 is commonly found in cancer cells, not healthy human cells.
Pomegranate decreases the risk for prostate cancer by shutting down this renegade enzyme.
Not All Antioxidants Are Created Equal
Food-based anti-oxidants come in all shapes and sizes. In the case of the pomegranate, the ellagitannin compounds are the “active ingredient” and responsible for about half of the fruit’s antioxidant and medicinal properties.
Prostate cancer is a very slow growing tumor developing primarily in the first five decades of life. Pomegranate is an ideal preventive agent, addressing both cardiovascular and reproductive health.
In the words of the scientists,
“Our study has [revealed] a previously unknown mechanism of action of pomegranate juice constituents, which could potentially contribute to prostate cancer chemoprevention,” they wrote. “We proved that systemically available metabolites of pomegranate juice are effective inhibitors of CYP1B1 enzyme activity/expression and could lower the incidence of prostate cancer initiation and sustenance.”
To put it more simply, a diet high in polyphenols and low in fat is the key to prostate cancer prevention and sexual reproductive health for men!
Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Gentleman be forewarned, the symptoms of prostate cancer can be vague. However, if any of the following symptoms persist, a visit to your doctor is warranted.
Trouble urinatingStarting and stopping while urinatingDecreased force in the stream of urineBlood in your semenWeak urine streamDifficulty starting urinationStopping and starting while urinatingDribbling at the end of urinationStraining while urinatingFrequent need to urinateIncreased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)Urgent need to urinateNot being able to completely empty the bladderBlood in the urine (hematuria)Urinary tract infectionBlood in your urineIn the meanwhile, why not reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet, increase your level of exercise and consider adding pomegranate extract to your daily routine—I know I do!
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online ahead of print, ASAP article, doi: 10.1021/jf902716r
“Effects of Pomegranate Chemical Constituents/Intestinal Microbial Metabolites on CYP1B1 in 22Rv1 Prostate Cancer Cells”
Authors: S.G. Kasimsetty, D. Bialonska, M.K. Reddy, C. Thornton, K.L. Willett, D. Ferreira
Tags: CYP1B1, ellagitannin, pomegranate, prostate cancer, punicalagins, punicalins
