Eliminating Heart Disease Naturally Thru Nitric Oxide Therapy

Archive for Cardiovascular Health

Dangers of Belly Fat

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/01/2019

Several new research studies now clearly show the dangers of belly fat. Belly fat is not the same as the subcutaneous fat that pads our thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. While this fat might be less than pleasant to look it, it doesn’t present any health issues.

But belly fat is different. Sometimes called visceral fat, this is the fat that accumulates beneath the abdominal wall and around your abdominal organs. It is metabolically active. And it acts like an endocrine organ secreting hormones and other chemicals that are now clearly linked to a wide range of health issues.

One such “hormone” is retinol-binding protein 4 or RBP4, which contributes to insulin resistance that can lead to Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Belly fat also secretes these harmful substances:

Angiotensinogen – Which raises blood pressure.

Resistin – Which leads to high blood sugar levels.

Adiponectin – Which slows the metabolization of lipids and glucose.

Interleukin 6 – Which is associated with inflammation of arteries and heart attacks.

All contributing to a series of health issues called Metabolic Syndrome.

Currently, the adult obesity rate in America now exceeds 35% in seven states, 30% in 29 states, and 25% in 48 states. When you add overweight statistics to the mix, approximately 67% of America is now overweight or obese.

This means that for every 100 people you meet today, almost 70 of them will be either overweight or obese.

And if you want to know if you are a candidate for the dangers of belly fat, then get out a soft tape to measure your girth. The easiest way to measure this is find your belly button and take your measurement.

For women if your measurement is 35 inches or more, then you are carrying potentially dangerous belly fat. For men the measurement is 40 inches or more. Read More →

6 Key Ingredients That Optimize Nitric Oxide Production

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/22/2019

There are 6 key ingredients that can help you optimize nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is key to your vascular health as it helps you enjoy the following benefits:

Improved Blood Flow By Relaxing the Smooth Muscle of the Vascular Wall

Reduce Your Risk for Strokes and Heart Attacks by Keeping Blood Platelet Cells From Sticking Together

Helps to Initiate Repair Mechanisms to Heal Damage to Your Vascular System

All of these benefits are important to your cardiovascular health. Which means learning how to optimize nitric oxide production also helps you harness these benefits for improved health.

To help you learn which 6 ingredients are key to nitric oxide production, I’ve recorded a video that will walk you through this process. Enjoy!

And for those who prefer to read the information, I’ve summarized it below the video.

Endothelial Health Equals Cardiovascular Health!

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/15/2019

When was the last time anyone ever asked you about your endothelial health?

NEVER!

It’s estimated that there are approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the adult body. These blood vessels include arteries, veins, and capillaries. They’re all protected by a microscopic inner lining of endothelial cells. What is commonly called the endothelium.

It’s important to note that these cells line the entire circulatory system. From the inside of your heart all the way down to your smallest capillary. When added up, the volume of these endothelial cells would cover the surface area of 4 to 8 tennis courts depending upon the size of the individual.

That’s amazing since the endothelium is only one cell thick and can’t be seen by the human eye.

Once discovered, the endothelium was classified as an inert membrane whose primary function was to keep the blood in the circulatory system and out of the body’s tissues and organs.

Research over the last 25 years has shown that your endothelium is an active, multi-functional tissue that plays a vital role in metabolic, immunologic, and cardiovascular health.

Or is your endothelium an organ? Read More →

Heart Health and Walnuts

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/08/2019

Who would have thought there could be a connection between heart health and walnuts. Yet recent research shows that not only is there a strong connection between heart health and walnuts but that this connection also benefits the endothelium, which lines and regulates your cardiovascular system.

If you’ve been following my articles you know that I’m a firm believer in endothelial health and function for improved cardiovascular health. Now organizations like WebMD and Life Extension are highlighting the benefits of heart health and walnuts. Here are excerpts from recent publications from these two outstanding organizations.

What WebMD Says About Walnuts and Heart Health!

“Walnuts are the No. 1 nut for heart health, says a researcher who presented his findings Sunday at the American Chemical Society annual meeting. That’s because walnuts were found to have more antioxidants – and better-quality antioxidants – than other popular nuts tested, says Joe Vinson, PhD, a researcher at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.”

According to Dr. Vinson, “Twenty-eight grams of walnuts (an ounce) have more antioxidants than the sum of what the average person gets from fruits and vegetables.”

According to Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, “Studies show that walnuts improve cardiac risk factors and enhance blood flow.”

Click here to read the complete WebMD article entitled “Walnut May be Top Nut for Heart Health”

What Life Extension Says About Heart Health and Walnuts!

In the August issue of Life Extension, William Faloon discusses the health impact of walnuts in his editorial entitled “FDA Says Walnuts Are Illegal Drugs!” Specific to walnuts and heart health, William Faloon had this to say:

“The March 4, 1993, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine published the first clinical study showing significant reductions in dangerous LDL and improvement in the lipoprotein profile in response to moderate consumption of walnuts. Later studies revealed that walnuts improve endothelial function in ways that are independent of cholesterol reduction.

One study published by the American Heart Association journal Circulation on April 6, 2004, showed a 64% improvement in a measurement of endothelial function when walnuts were substituted for other fats in a Mediterranean diet.

As most Life Extension members are aware, the underlying cause of atherosclerosis is progressive endothelial dysfunction. Walnuts contain a variety of nutrients including arginine, polyphenols, and omega-3s that support the inner arterial lining and guard against abnormal platelet aggregation. These favorable biological effects explain why walnut consumption confers protection against coronary artery disease.

The US National Library of Medicine database contains no fewer than 35 peer-reviewed published papers supporting a claim that ingesting walnuts improves vascular health and may reduce heart attack risk.”

For the complete editorial by William Faloon from the August 2011 issue of Life Extension please click here.

Walnuts – An Ideal Snack!

Given the above information it makes sense to use walnuts as a heart healthy snack. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture an ounce of walnuts contains 185 calories, 4 grams of protein, nearly 2 grams of fiber, and 18 grams of “heart-healthy” fat.

The most popular snack in America is potato chips. According to the Fat Secret website one ounce of potato chips contains 155 calories, 1.86 grams of protein, 1.2 grams of fiber, and 10.6 grams of fat.

Comparing the two snacks, walnuts are going to give you twice as much protein, almost twice as much fiber, and healthy fats that benefit cardiovascular health. Plus the extra protein and fiber will help to hold your appetite over a longer period of time. This will result in better energy and less hunger going into your next meal.

I also want to thank Life Extension for confirming what I’ve been talking about for a very long period of time.

According to William Faloon of Life Extension, “the underlying cause of atherosclerosis is progressive endothelial dysfunction.”

Atherosclerosis is the development of plaque formations in the interior of the vascular system leading to a narrowing of the vascular pathway. This can reduce blood flow and increase the potential for blood clots to form. It’s one of the major contributing factors for cardiovascular disease.

Implementing a nutrition program that nourishes and supports a healthy endothelium is critically important to your overall health and wellness. Your nutritional program needs to increase your endothelium’s ability to properly produce nitric oxide – the master signaling molecule of your entire cardiovascular system.

As the saying goes “an apple a day will keep the doctor away”. Well, maybe “an ounce of walnuts a day will keep the cardiovascular surgeon away!” Don’t minimize the value of walnuts and heart health. They could help reduce your risk for the number one killer of men and women worldwide, which is cardiovascular disease.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

Healthy Life Expectancy – Do You Want to Add 12 to 14 Years to Your Life?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/15/2019

Do you know what your healthy life expectancy is? Do you know you can actually estimate this?

Today I’m going to help you answer these two questions.

Research clearly shows there are 5 keys to your life expectancy. These 5 keys are listed below.

They have the potential to add 12 to 14 years to your life!

However, before you look at these 5 keys I’d like to encourage you to use an online tool for estimating the potential years you have left. It’s called the Healthy Life Expectancy Calculator. It was developed by the Goldenson Center at the University of Connecticut.

This calculator will take you less than 1 minute to complete, and will give you some valuable feedback on what you can do to increase your life expectancy.

Click Here for the Healthy Life Expectancy Calculator.

My Healthy Life Expectancy Results Using This Calculator

I used this tool to see what my life expectancy is. Here are my results: Read More →

6 Key Health Benefits of Blueberries

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/08/2019

The health benefits of blueberries are numerous but for this article we are going to concentrate on just six of them.

Blueberries are native to North America. With approximately 30 different species, blueberries have become an important and plentiful tool for preventing free radical damage, one of the leading causes of aging and degenerative diseases.

Because of its high ORAC value and nutritional density, I use frozen blueberries as one of my ingredients in my morning protein shake.

Here is a brief overview of the health benefits of blueberries:

Improves heart health

Provides cancer protection

Helps prevent damage to collagen

Improves cognitive function

Protects against macular degeneration and cataracts

Improves elimination

That’s an impressive list of health benefits all designed to keep you young and healthy as you age.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Because of the high antioxidant properties of blueberries they are quickly becoming the North American version of the Brazilian Acai berry. Researchers at Tufts University recently analyzed 60 different fruits and vegetables. Blueberries rated the highest in their capacity to prevent free radical damage.

Blueberries belong to the heath family that includes the cranberry and bilberry, so some of the health benefits of blueberries are also found in these fruits.

Heart Health

There is a great deal of talk about the protective benefits of wine for cardiovascular health. A recent study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry compared white wine, red wine and blueberry wine for their ability to deliver the cardio-protective benefits of anthocyanins, a powerful class of antioxidants. Using a moderate drink (about 4 ounces) as their testing sample, white wine delivered .47 mmol of this free radical absorbing antioxidant. Red wine delivered 2.04 mmol. And blueberry wine (made from high bush blueberries) delivered 2.42 mmol.

This would make sense since the darker the pigmentation of the fruit the greater its antioxidant capacity.

Cancer Protection

Blueberries seem to provide protection against both colon and ovarian cancer. In laboratory studies published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the phenolic compounds extracted from blueberries were able to inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation. As well as induce apoptosis or programmed cell death.

The famous Nurses Health Study, which followed 66,940 women, revealed that those who have a diet rich in the flavoinoid kaempferol had a 40% reduction in the risk for ovarian cancer. Blueberries, non herbal tea, onions, curly kale, leeks, broccoli and spinach are all good sources of kaempferol.

Prevent Collagen Damage

Blueberries are ideal in helping to prevent damage to your collagen. Collagen is your body’s main protein making up 25 – 35% of your total protein content. It is the main component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and skin. It strengthens blood vessels and is present in the eye.

The powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins help to neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues. Because the blue-red pigments of blueberries are rich in anthocyanins they help provide protection against cataracts, varicose veins, arteriosclerosis, premature aging of the skin, heart disease, and cancer.

Cognitive Function

Researchers have found that blueberries help to protect the brain of aging animals from oxidative stress. This significantly improves both their learning capacity and motor skills. Although animal studies do not always correlate with humans, at least you can share you blueberries with your favorite pet and one of you will remember were you left your keys.

Eye Health

A study of 110,000 men and women, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower the risk of macular degeneration by 36% when compared to those who consumed less than 1.5 servings of fruit per day. Bilberry, the British cousin to the blueberry, has long been shown to improve nighttime visual acuity.

Improves Elimination

The health benefits of blueberries also extend to elimination. Blueberries are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber will add bulk to the stools. The soluble fiber will absorb bile helping the body to naturally lower its cholesterol levels.

Blueberries contain tannins which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Blueberries also contain the same compounds found in cranberries. These compounds help to prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections by reducing the ability of E. coli to adhere to the mucosal lining of the urethra and bladder.

Conclusion for the Health Benefits of Blueberries

As you can see blueberries have tremendous health benefits. They are rich in vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene. They are an excellent source of potassium, manganese, and magnesium. They are high in fiber and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. And they provide a wide variation of protective antioxidants to help prevent degenerative diseases.

The only negative to blueberries is that they are a source of oxalates. Oxalates should not be eaten in high concentration as they can crystallize to cause kidney and gallbladder problems. However, with a high ORAC value, a small amount can be consumed on a daily basis to provide you with the antioxidants needed to protect you from free radical damage.

One final note regarding the anthocyanins found in blueberries. According to a study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, anthocyanins from berries are almost undetectable in canned foods, bread, cereals and baby foods because of how they are processed. This means that if you want to enjoy all the health benefits of blueberries, then fresh and frozen berries are best.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

5 Key Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/01/2019

The health benefits of bell peppers have taken a back seat to other nutritionally dense foods. Yet when you examine the health benefits of bell peppers I think you’ll see how this fruit is an ideal companion to your food plate.

Yes, I labeled the bell pepper a fruit.

Most think of it as a vegetable but in reality it is a fruit. In fact, one of the health benefits of bell peppers is that they contain twice the amount of vitamin C found in an average orange. Which brings us to its first health benefit.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

As I’ve shared in other articles, inflammation is the root cause of almost all diseases. And eating foods that help protect you from inflammation is a key factor in preventing all types of diseases.

Vitamin C is a key nutrient in helping to prevent inflammation. In a study published in the American Journal of Nutrition they showed that men who consumed a diet that had a higher intake of vitamin C had lower levels of C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker. The greater your levels of this marker, the greater the level of inflammation in your vascular system.

Inflammation of the vascular system leads to plaque formation, which leads to atherosclerosis. This then leads to an increased risk for strokes and heart attacks.

One of the other benefits of vitamin C is that it’s a plasminogen activator. This is a protein that your body naturally produces to dissolve clots inside the arteries.

This means that vitamin C does double duty in both protecting you from inflammation but also helping to protect you from unwanted blood clots.

And as I stated earlier, bell peppers contain twice the amount of vitamin C found in the average orange.

Cancer Prevention

It is estimated by the World Health Organization that 80% of all cancers are tied to food and lifestyle choices. The health benefits of bell peppers are tied to key nutritional components. Here’s a list of the nutritional facts for one cup of this fruit:

Nutrients	Amount	DV%
Vitamin C	190 mg	317.00%
Vitamin A	4666 IU	93.00%
Vitamin B6	0.4 mg	22.00%
Folate	68.5 mcg	17.00%
Vitamin E	2.4 mg	12.00%
Potassium	3.14 mg	9.00%
Vitamin K	7.3 mcg	9.00%
Manganese	0.2 mg	8.00%
Niacin	1.5 mg	7.00%
Dietary Fiber	3.1 g	13.00%

There are several studies that show how key nutrients in bells peppers also posses strong anti-cancer benefits. Especially as it applies to prostate, breast, and lung cancer.

Two of these nutrients are lycopene and vitamin E. In a Dutch study done on mice with human prostate cancer, those that were feed both lycopene and vitamin E experienced a 73% reduction on tumor growth. It’s important to note that when these two nutrients were give separately there was no effect of tumor size. This means that it is the synergistic combination of these two nutrients that are key to the potential health benefits of bell peppers.

Another key ingredient in bell peppers is called apigenin. For women who use hormone replacement therapy, there is an increased risk for breast cancer. Apigenin seams to help reduce this increased risk for breast cancer.

As it applies to lung cancer, there is a French study of 519,000 people that showed a strong correlation between vitamin B6 and lung cancer risk. For those with the highest plasma levels of vitamin B6 there was a 56% reduction in the risk for lung cancer.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Most of the medical community targets LDL cholesterol as bad for you. Unfortunately this is not the complete picture. What is bad for you is oxidized LDL cholesterol.

Oxidized LDL cholesterol is now clearly associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. And the reason why is oxidized LDL cholesterol leads to plaque formation, which leads to atherosclerosis.

Contained in bell peppers are quercetin and luteolin. In a Japanese study of ten flavonoids, they found that luteolin ranked first and quercetin ranked fourth in their ability to inhibit LDL oxidation.

Folate is also a key ingredient in reducing the risk for heart attacks. In the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study of 1,980 men, they found that those with the highest folate intake were 55% less likely to have a heart attack when compared to those with minimal intake of this nutrient.

Diabetes Protection

According to the journal Diabetes Care, those that consume less than 20 grams of dietary fiber per day had a significant increase in type 2 diabetes. As you can see from the table above one cup of bell peppers has 3.1 grams of dietary fiber. By itself this is not enough but when combined with other good dietary fiber sources, it can be a significant help in diabetes protection.

Especially when you factor in the antioxidants vitamin E and cryptoxanthin, which are both found in bell peppers. In a Finland study of 4,000 people those that had a diet rich in vitamin E had a 31% decreased risk for type 2 diabetes. And for those whose diet was rich in cryptoxanthin at was a 42% lower risk for this disease.

Eye Health

There are two key carotenoids that have been associated with protection from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. They are lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these nutrients are found in bell pepper.

The British Journal of Nutrition published a study of 1,600 men and women. This study showed that those who had a higher intake of both lutein and zeaxanthin had a lower risk for cataracts.

And in a study done at the University of Sydney, when these two dietary nutrients were combined there was a 65% reduction in age-related macular degeneration.

Conclusion for the Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are a key food that can be added to your food plate. They come in several colors from green to red to orange. They contain a power combination of vitamins, carotenoids, antioxidants, and fiber that can be a power tool in reducing your risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation. As well as helping to protect your eyes.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

CoQ10 Benefits Your Skin

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/01/2019

New research is showing that CoQ10 benefits your skin. In one of my previous articles about CoQ10 I showed how this critical molecule helps with:

Heart Health
Brain Health
Metabolic Function
Kidney Function
Bone Health

Now I want to help you understand how CoQ10 benefits your skin. It all centers on what is called the mitochondrial theory of aging.

CoQ10 and Mitochondrial Theory of Aging

Within every cell are mitochondria. Mitochondria are the batteries or power generators. They convert the stored energy of the nutrients you consume into an energy form that your cells can use to perform their function.

This energy source is called adenosine triphosphate or ATP.

As we age our mitochondria are damaged. The three main causes are oxidative stress, toxins, and inflections. This damage then reduces the energy production of the mitochondria.

Our mitochondria become less efficient in processing our food resulting in less ATP. This results in less energy for the cell to carry out its normal functions. And here is where CoQ10 can help. Read More →

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Posted by Dan Hammer //

04/22/2019

Today we’re going to focus on the health benefits of olive oil. Specifically extra virgin olive oil. Not only is it a key component of the Mediterranean diet, it’s also recognized as a Biblical food. Here’s the Scriptural reference.

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.” Deuteronomy 8:7-8

Now what is key to our discussion on the health benefits of olive oil is that the version you want to consume is unrefined extra virgin olive oil. Back in Old Testament times of the Bible they did not have today’s manufacturing processes that can alter the olive oil by stripping it of the key nutrients you need.

These key nutrients are called polypenols. Here are the 3 key ones that researchers have identified in having the greatest health benefits:

Oleuropein
Tyrosol
Hydroxytyrosol

And new research in this area is showing that the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol makes up about 50% of the total polyphenol content of extra virgin olive oil.

In this article we’re going to focus on three main areas:

Cardiovascular Health
Alzheimer’s Disease
Bone Health

Health Benefits of Olive Oil – Cardiovascular Health

The number one killer of men and women worldwide is still heart disease. Anything that you can do to improve your cardiovascular health helps to lower your risk for heart disease.

In 2017 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study to focused on the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol found in extra virgin olive oil.

There were 1851 participants. Both men and women. And the average age was 67. Additionally, they had to have had either type II diabetes or at least three or more cardiovascular risk factors like:

Smoking

Hypertension

Dyslipidemia

Overweight/Obesity

Family History of Premature Cardiovascular Disease

These participants were put into one of three groups:

Group 1 – Consumed a traditional Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil
Group 2 – Consumed a traditional Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts
Group 3 – Consumed a low-fat diet and acted as the control group

The group that had the best outcome, as it relates to lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease, was Group 1 who consumed a traditional Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil. Here were their results:

56% Reduced Risk of a cardiovascular event, which included heart attack, stroke, or death from a cardiovascular cause.

On average, 9.5 years longer life after the age of 65!

Now some would say that their diet made the difference. And I’m sure the Mediterranean diet was helpful. But the difference between adding nuts versus adding extra virgin olive oil was overwhelming:

56% Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Event and 9.5 Years Longer Life Span!

Now let’s look at the health benefits of olive oil as it applies to cognitive function.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil – Alzheimer’s Disease

The main cognitive health concern that gets most of the attention is Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers have identified three main biomarkers associated with this disease. They are:

Beta-amyloid, which contribute to myloid plaque that interferes with cognitive function.
Tau Proteins, which also contributes to myloid plaque formation that interfere with cognitive function.
Synaptophysin, which is a protein marker for synaptic integrity helping to maintain cognitive function.

A Temple University study on mice, that were bred to be genetically prone to neurodegenerative changes similar to Alzheimer’s disease, show the potential for extra virgin olive oil to help protect brain health.

One group of mice were fed a standard diet. The other group were fed a standard diet plus extra virgin olive oil. After six months on their respective diets the following results were found:

The mice that consumed the extra virgin olive oil had a significant decrease in the destructive biomarkers of beta-amyloid and tau proteins. These same mice also had a significant increase in the beneficial biomarker called synaptophysin.

Not only did the extra virgin olive oil help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease issues, but it helped to initiate the brain cell’s ability to clear itself of cellular debris, which can interfere with normal brain function.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil – Bone Health

Hip fracture, especially in older adults, can be a significant health concern. In meta-analysis of several studies using just the Mediterranean diet, there was a 21% reduced risk of hip fractures.

This lead to a new study that tested the use of the Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil. The researchers wanted to see if olive oil would be even more effective in bone health. The results of this study showed an additional 51% lower risk of hip fracture.

Now here is the key to enjoying the health benefits of olive oil as it applies to cardiovascular health, Alzheimer’s disease, and bone health:

It Must Be Unrefined Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

Unfortunately, here in the United States it’s estimated that 80% of the extra virgin olive oil sold does not meet the legal standards to be called “extra virgin.”

This means you need to be proactive in making sure that the product you use is not mass produced and refined or altered with other pro-inflammatory oils like corn, safflower, and sunflower.

It might cost you more to buy, but the health benefits are worth the investment.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Posted by Dan Hammer //

04/15/2019

This article is going to give an overview of the health benefits of pomegranate. This amazing fruit is recognized in the Bible as one of the Blessings the Promised Land would provide for the Israeli people as they entered into this land. Here’s the Scriptural context:

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.” Deuteronomy 8:7-8

As modern day science continues to study this fruit, their research is showing that the health benefits of pomegranate center on two primary health issues:

Cardiovascular Health
Cancer Prevention

Let’s look at each so that you can see why this amazing fruit should be part of your daily diet.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate – Cardiovascular Health

Your cardiovascular health centers on the function of a tissue that lines all of your cardiovascular system. That tissue is called the endothelium.

This is a one-cell thick layer that lines the inside of all of your blood vessels. Your capillaries are just extensions of this endothelium. In fact, it is the largest tissue in your body. Let me give you a point of reference:

If you took your endolhelium out of your body and laid it flat out, depending on the size of the adult individual, it would cover the surface area of 3 to 6 tennis courts.

And the healthier your endothelium, the healthier your capillary function for improved blood flow.

Damage to your endothelium increases your risk for all types of cardiovascular disease. There are 4 main factors that damage your endothelium:

High Blood Pressure
High Blood Sugar
LDL Cholesterol or more specifically oxidized LDL Cholesterol
Nicotine

The health benefits of pomegranate focus mainly on preventing oxidized LDL cholesterol, reversing plaque formations that result from oxidized LDL, and enhancing the ability of the eNOS enzymes of the endothelium to produce higher levels of nitric oxide to dilate your blood vessels for improved blood flow.

Most statin drugs work to lower cholesterol and do a good job in accomplishing this objective. The problem is they do not work effectively in reducing the cause of plaque, which is oxidized LDL cholesterol. Oxidized LDL cholesterol creates inflammation that then leads to the formation of plaque. As this plaque grows over time, the inside of your vascular system narrows.

This narrowing then increases your risk for a stroke or heart attack.

Your body has natural mechanism to protect you from this sequence. And this is where the health benefits of pomegranate extract show up:

Protect LDL molecules from being oxidized
Moderate the effects of inflammatory white blood cells and their role in plaque formation
Boost your natural antioxidant systems to protect your endothelium from free radical damage
Initiate vascular repair systems to help remove oxidized LDL from your arterial walls
Enhance eNOS enzymes for greater production of nitric oxide

Additionally, a 2014 study showed that the combination of pomegranate extract with the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin significantly lowered both oxidized LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

For more details on the health benefits of pomegranate on cardiovascular health please click here.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate – Cancer Prevention

New studies are expanding the health benefits of pomegranate to cancer prevention. Pomegranate contains these key compounds:

Punicalagin
Luteolin
Ellagitannins
Polyphenols

These compounds help to initiate multiple pathways in cancer prevention. Primarily because they inhibit inflammation. But it goes beyond this.

Research in the health benefits of pomegranate, as it applies to cancer cells, has shown the following:

Block cell cycle – pomegranate can help to shut off the cancer cell’s ability to divide by targeting specific cancer genes needed for cell replication. But doesn’t effect healthy cells.

Induce cell death – compounds in pomegranate directly cause programmed death of cancer cells.

Blocks blood vessel formation that feed cancer cells – blood vessels are needed to support cancer growth in tumors. Pomegranate selectively blocks the needed growth factors to help limit the formation of new blood vessels in a tumor.

Preventing the spread of cancer – pomegranate helps to inhibit multiple factors, which then helps to prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Two specific cancers that have promising studies in helping to prevent them and their spread are prostate and breast cancer.

And there are ongoing studies on how pomegranate can help in the prevention of leukemia, bladder, brain, cervix, colon, liver, lung, skin, and thyroid cancers.

Plus, there are additional studies that show pomegranate aiding conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy. These ongoing studies seem to indicate that pomegranate enhances the cancer-killing effect of the drug while helping to protect normal cells.

For more details on the health benefits of pomegranate on cancer prevention please click here.

Personally, I’ve been using pomegranate fruit extract for over 10 years. I use it to help me enjoy the benefits as it applies to cardiovascular health. It’s good to know that it’s also helping me with cancer prevention.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer