Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of death in our modern world, and until now accelerated atherosclerosis seemed to be a natural part of aging.
However, recent studies seem to indicate that a little known enzyme called Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is demonstrating an ability to block lipid peroxidation - free radical damage to healthy cell membranes.
Lipid peroxidation is a primary contributing factor to aging and the onset of many degenerative disorders.
Sure, it's long been recognized that HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is beneficial in removing cholesterol that's attached to arterial walls.
In fact HDL does a lot more than that, it protects LDL against oxidation, inhibits chronic inflammation, and defends against vascular adhesion molecules, and platelet activation.
All of these factors can contribute to Atherosclerosis.
PON-1, a little known enzyme greatly assists HDL in doing its job.
When PON-1 is attached to the surface of HDL, it performs its vital functions more efficiently, protecting us from heart attacks and strokes.
The problem is, as we continue to age, our PON-1 levels begin to steadily decline thus reducing the efficiency of HDL.
Within a short time our healthy arteries begin to rapidly occlude with plaque, resulting in Atherosclerosis.
It's no wonder then that statin drugs seem to lose the effectiveness on some of the elderly.
Interestingly enough, the major pharmaceutical companies have failed to produce a drug that can elevate PON-1 levels in humans.
Just imagine the tremendous source of revenue that would produce for them.
Nature, on the other hand, has found a way...
A reduction in inflammation, LDL adhesion, and gene expression modulation can now be accomplished with low-cost natural methods.
Scientists have discovered that extracts of Pomegranate can significantly increase PON-1 activity in the body, thus unleashing PON-1's full antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power through numerous distinct bio-molecular pathways.
A group of Israeli scientists began a ground breaking study in the year 2000.
They tested subjects over a 2-week period to measure LDL clumping and PON-1 level activity to see the benefits if any that Pomegranate might offer.
Test subjects who consumed pomegranate were found to have significant reduction in LDL clumping, as well as a significant increase (20%) in PON-1 activity.
They also tested subjects with Carotid Artery Stenosis (a narrowing of the primary blood vessels that supply the brain) over a one year period.
The placebo group worsened by 9%, while the pomegranate group experience an amazing 83% increase in PON-1 activity levels, and their artery narrowing was even reversed by 30%.
Recent evidence also indicates that PON-1plays a significant role in diabetes management through pomegranate consumption.
"When patients with type 2 diabetes were compared to healthy controls, their PON-1 levels were found to be depressed by 23%.
When these same patients were given pomegranate juice (50 mL/day for 3 months), their serum PON-1 activity rose by 24%" The cardio-protective benefits of red wine have been well known for quite some time, but Resveratrol, and Quercetin have also been shown to have similar beneficial effects.
These poly-phenols may also increase PON-1 levels, and are easily purchased and affordable to everyone.