In the last five years pomegranate has received acclaim as one of the most antioxidant packed fruits available on the planet. For many pomegranate is a fad and the latest craze, but more and more research is providing strong evidence of its healing and health promoting properties.
Clinical Cancer Research published findings this month that documented cancer preventative effects of pomegranate juice in men. The study was conducted by a major company that sells a pomegranate product, but had outside review to help substantiate the claims.
The study enrolled 50 men who had previous diagnosis of prostate cancer. Each of the 50 men underwent standard recommended treatment for the cancer, which may have included surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy prior to begining the pomegranate treatment. The men were randomly divided to receive 8 ounces of pomegranate juice or placebo each day. The primary outcome measure was the blood level of PSA, or prostate specific antigen.
PSA is a tumor marker and is used to assess treatment as well as likelihood for relapse or metastasis. Doctors will often look for a doubling of the PSA in a certain time frame and use this number as a predictor for disease staging. A PSA that quickly doubles increases the risk that prostate cancer may cause death from dangerous metastasis, or spread to other organs.
In the study, men who consumed the pomegranate juice had an average doubling time of 54 months, while the placebo group and general population had an average doubling time of 15 months. By extrapolating this information, the authors conclude that pomegranate juice may lengthen doubling time, therefore decreasing risk of death due to complications or spread of prostate cancer.
They believe that the effects may be due to antioxidant power of pomegranate juice. The findings are currently being applied to a larger trial conducted by an facility independant of commercial gain.
If the larger trials show an evident benefit of pomegranate juice to improve prognosis follow up treatment could change dramatically for men recovering from prostate cancer. Many of the drugs used to prevent relapse or metastasis cause unwanted side effects because of the testosterone blocking mechanism. Pomegranate juice has virtually no side effects and offers benefit to the whole body.
Pure pomegranate juice would be superior to juices that are sweetened, though it might not have as pleasing of a taste. (It can be quite bitter)
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 14, 2006 12:34 AM
