Punicalagin for Sex, Prostate, and Immunity
This natural compound boosts longevity and sexual health. That's a win-win.
There are supplements for better sex and there are supplements for better health. These categories sometimes overlap.
For example, men who maintain healthy levels of testosterone live longer, and certain T-boosting supplements (like Long Jack) also happen to elevate libido and support erection health. Others, like micellar curcumin, fight the serial killer known as inflammation but also boost nitric oxide, critical for sturdy erections.
Now we have another multitasking ingredient to play with: punicalagin.
What is Punicalagin?
Punicalagin (Buy at Amazon) is a type of polyphenol found in small amounts in pomegranates. It's both a health/longevity supplement and a bedroom performance booster. Here are some of the ways punicalagin or its metabolites support both goals:
1. Punicalagin is Nature's Viagra
Punicalagin elevates levels of nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes the smooth muscle fibers of penile arteries so they allow more blood to flow into the penis. A double-blind crossover study with 61 male subjects found that 47% reported improved erections with punicalagin.
2. Punicalagin Keeps Blood Vessels Healthy
Punicalagin can raise levels of NO, which opens up blood vessels, but it also improves circulatory function in general through its powerful antioxidant capability. Multiple studies show that it enhances blood flow and even reverses arterial plaque growth. (Roto-rooter out the plaque and you automatically improve blood flow.)
As a bonus, erections are all about hydraulics, and if the “hoses” (blood vessels) are strong and clear of gunk, they provide a lot of the pressure needed to pop wood.
3. Punicalagin Blocks Testosterone-to-Estrogen Conversion
The parent compound and its metabolite are powerful inhibitors of aromatase activity, which means punicalagin thwarts the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, thereby elevating T levels naturally.
One study of men and women found that punicalagin raises levels of testosterone by an average of 24%. Punicalagin blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT and inhibits the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This results in less testosterone being converted to DHT, thereby promoting a normal PSA level and preventing prostate growth (thus making it easier to pee).
A New Superpower: Immunity Support
Science recently discovered a new ability: Punicalagin triggers a constant supply of rejuvenated T cells, the immune system “bouncers.”
Once punicalagin makes the trek through your gastrointestinal tract, it’s converted by bacteria into ellagic acid, some of which is metabolized into other compounds, like various types of urolithin. Urolithin beefs up the immune system by promoting “mitochondrial autophagy" – old mitochondria in T cells are hunted down and purged. When these old mitochondria are replaced, the cells containing them are rejuvenated.
Researchers noticed that the T cells designated for doing battle against tumors are generally suppressed, which allows them to grow uncontrollably. However, by administering punicalagin/urolithin, the mitochondria inside the T cells are recycled and renewed, allowing them to punch back against these tumors.
Not only that, but the type of T cells that formed from the urolithin intervention were “T memory cells” – the ultimate immune system warriors. Once they encounter a pathogen, they “remember” it, allowing a quicker and more potent response to that same pathogen should it reappear.
There’s an age-related problem with urolithin, though. As we get older, alterations in the gut microbiome lead to a limited production of urolithin – approximately half of that produced by the young. Fortunately, the researchers found that ingesting punicalagin introduced effective doses of urolithin to the body, where it can act synergistically with the immune system.
Where Do I Get Punicalagin?
You might be thinking about chugging pomegranate juice to increase your punicalagin intake. Unfortunately, punicalagin is mainly present in the root, bark, and leaves of the pomegranate, none of which is used to make commercial pomegranate juice. You'll get a little from the juice, but not enough for a pharmaceutical-like effect. The best way to augment your intake of punicalagin is to take a supplement.
Punicalagin is the backbone of P-Well (Buy at Amazon). Each serving contains 180 mg. of punicalagin (from pomegranate), along with 30 mg. of lycopene and 500 mg. of cranberry whole fruit concentrate. That makes P-Well a multi-functional supplement for vascular sexual health, urinary tract health, prostate support, and now, based on the latest research, a powerful immune-enhancing supplement.
Does It Work for Women?
While women of course don’t have prostates, P-Well (Buy at Amazon)provides many other beneficial effects to female vascular sexual health and urinary tract health, as well as providing a host of other health benefits, none of which are gender specific.
References
- Denk D et al. "Expansion of T memory cells with superior anti-tumor immunity by Urolithin-A induced mitophagy." Immunity. 2022 Nov;55(11):2059-2073.e8.
- Singh A et al. "Urolithin A improves muscle strength, exercise performance, and biomarkers of mitochondrial health in a randomized trial in middle-aged adults." Cell Rep Med. 2022 May 17;3(5):100633. PubMed: 35584623.
- Kroeger N et al. "Pomegranate Extracts in the Management of Men’s Urologic Health: Scientific Rationale and Preclinical and Clinical Data." Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:701434. PubMed: 23589721.
- Forest CP et al. "Efficacy and safety of pomegranate juice on improvement of erectile dysfunction in male patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study." Int J Impot Res. Nov-Dec 2007;19(6):564-7. PubMed: 17568759.
- Jeranka JS. "Therapeutic Applications of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.): A Review." Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):128-44. PubMed: 18590349.
- Gur S et al. "Characterisation of pomegranate juice effects on human corpus cavernosum." Andrologia. 2017 Oct;49(8). PubMed: 27785815.