The Immortality Molecule
No, it won't make you immortal, of course, but it does fight just about every modern disease and condition trying to shorten your life.
Statistically, a cardiovascular disease – probably heart disease – is going to end your life. If your heart and blood vessels stay strong and clean, then one form of cancer or another is going to take you out. Of course, there's also diabetes, brain issues, respiratory diseases, and all the killers that come along with being too fat.
Morbid, isn't it?
Naturally, science is looking for ways to ward off these highly skilled assassins. According to a comprehensive review published in Applied Food Research, one natural ingredient stands out. It's a hydrolyzable tannic polyphenol called punicalagin.
What is Punicalagin?
Punicalagin is a polyphenol found mostly in pomegranate peels (the part we don't eat). Researchers are excited about it because its diverse superpowers combat every disease and condition listed above. Punicalagin is:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Neuroprotective
- Anti-cancer
- Antidiabetic
- Anti-obesity
- Liver protective
- Anti-microbial
How It Works
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Punicalagin has a very positive impact on cardiovascular health. Its antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress, a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Punicalagin's anti-inflammatory effects also contribute to the prevention of arterial plaque formation, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Cancer: Research indicates that punicalagin possesses anti-cancer properties. Its ability to modulate inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells and induces apoptosis (programmed cell death). These effects were observed in various cancer cell lines, including prostate cancer, suggesting therapeutic applications.
- Brain Health: Punicalagin's neuroprotective effects are attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in neural tissues, punicalagin helps protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Studies show that punicalagin attenuates inflammation and reactive oxygen species production in microglial cells, which are involved in the immune response of the CNS.
- Diabetes: Punicalagin exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in managing diabetes. Chronic inflammation is a known contributor to insulin resistance and the progression of diabetes. By modulating inflammatory pathways, punicalagin helps improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
- Obesity: Punicalagin plays a role in combating obesity by influencing metabolic processes. Its anti-inflammatory effects can improve insulin sensitivity, often impaired in the obese. Punicalagin also decreases serum glucose levels and increases PON1 activity, an enzyme associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with anti-atherogenic properties.
- Respiratory Diseases: Specific studies on punicalagin's effects on respiratory diseases are limited so far, but its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties suggest potential benefits. By mitigating inflammation and oxidative damage in respiratory tissues, punicalagin could help manage conditions like asthma and COPD.
Where to Get Punicalagin
Since most of the punicalagin found in pomegranate hides in the parts we toss out, supplementation is the best route. Since all the studies look at different diseases and effects, dosing varies. In one study, just 78 mg of punicalagin seemed to reverse atherosclerosis (arterial plaque build-up) and reduce blood pressure.
Biotest P-Well (Buy at Amazon), marketed primarily for its prostate and sexual health benefits, contains 180 mg of punicalagin per serving.
Reference
- Shabir, et al. Bioactive potential of punicalagin: A comprehensive review, Applied Food Research, Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2024, 100572.