Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H

Have you observed lately when you glance at a health website that there is some new exotic food being touted as the “New Super Food”? We are constantly being inundated with new information and declarations. From all kinds of non-native vegetables to green teas how do we know what products have some valuable medicinal qualities?

I want to discuss a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to named Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been used since the beginning of the human race in the eastern world and has only recently been revealed in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the western world brought with it the designation “Queen of Fruits”

Mangosteen fruit, commonly referred to as Xango, originated in Southern Asia. This area is where Mangosteen fruit is usually grown. This fruit grows on Asian tropical evergreen trees where the temperature is relatively warm, does not thrive in very cold temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are approximately ten years old they begin to produce little purplish fruits which have no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is noted as the “Queen of Fruits” because of its delicate taste and fragrance

The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit started as a  abundant source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant properties. Most people are unaware that most of the xanthones are based in the rind and outer shell, not in the fruit itself. Slick advertising has promoted this exotic fruit for sale in the form of juices at ludicrous prices. On the internet I came across Mangosteen juice offered for sale at $35.00 for a 750ml bottle. In a health food store I couldn’t believe it when I saw 1 liter of Mangosteen juice for sale at $50.00. Are these prices justified?

Wikipedia advises that when Mangosteen was tested for nutrient content, antioxidant strength and potential impact for reducing the risk against human diseases it was found that the overall nutrient content was absent of important content.

I am very suspicious of any food items imported from China. There is a recall on kid’s toys in relation to lead contamination, milk products have been defiled with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of kids while chickens, ingesting melamine, and their eggs are likely to be contaminated.

A recent story in The National Geographic magazine talks about the Yellow River in China being so polluted that the water is unusable. Thousands of chinese are destined to die of cancer and other terminal disorders because they use the water out of the Yellow River. Equipped with this knowledge I must then ask some questions:

- If Mangosteen fruit comes from China what are the dirt conditions like where it is being grown?

- What waterways are supplying this produce and how seriously are they contaminated?

- What toxins are we consuming into our bodies when we select these exotic items?

We tend to forget our own superfoods produced right here in our own backyards. consider blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to have abundant antioxidant properties while they lower the risk against certain human diseases. We can buy these quality foods certified organic which means we are aware that no pesticides have been used.

While you can obtain our own homegrown foods, for your loved ones, at a fraction of the price of Mangosteen juice you can also rest easier with the declaration of quality coming from our own certified organic farming. My money and my families good health remains with our own superfoods!

Tags: mangosteen juice, xanthones, antioxidants, organic fruit, mangosteen, Health, queen of fruits

Resveratrol supplements are the latest health craze related to anti-aging. For several years now more and more studies are demonstrating conclusively that resveratrol supplements can slow down the aging process. Aging is what happens to the body as we get older and deteriorate. Metabolic processes and physiological functions slow down. The rate of slowing can be changed with the antioxidants like resveratrol.

Studies on resveratrol continue to uncover the very tangible benefits of this element of red wine, which include anti-cancer, anti-aging properties. Basically, resveratrol brings back to life a gene within all living cells that provides that cell with more time to fix itself.

From Oprah to 60 Minuets to Barbara Walter, major television shows are highlighting the studies on resveratrol that point to the anti-aging benefits. These tv shows have interviewed the researchers and doctors that have proven the effects of resveratrol in living cells. These tv shows have profiled the companies that are making these resveratrol supplements. Resveratrol is the latest antioxidant that has the potential to make longer, healthier lives more possible.

The research into resveratrol suggests that it is a powerful antioxidant that helps to mitigate the damaging effects of free radicals in the body, and also may induce a process through which extended life will be more than a possibility. One effect of the antioxidant resveratrol is on arteries. Research suggests that resveratrol brings down blood pressure by increasing blood flow.

Antioxidants mediates the damage that free radicals inflict on cells. Diseases like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer and Parkinson's can be slowed down by the introduction of antioxidants.

Resveratrol is found in several natural items, such as peanuts, red wine, grapes and blueberries other items. But grapes, in particular Muscdine, have the highest concentration of resveratrol. Although, nothing really comes close to the amounts of resveratrol in supplement form. These capsules have been filled with resveratrol. In order to get similar amounts of resveratrol one would need to consumer hundreds of bottles of red wine per day. Clearly this is not feasible.

Many supplements exist that contain this newly discovered antioxidant, resveratrol, which some are calling “The Fountain of Youth” that also includes other important anti-oxidants. The number of these supplements is increasing every month as more and more people are looking to introduce them into their daily intake. Though there are many companies that don’t put enough resveratrol or the resveratrol they do create has a low bioavailability. This means that not enough resveratrol actually gets used by the body.

There are very few elements such as resveratrol. The increasingly positive studies and increasing number of funds available for product development mean that resveratrol has not yet reached its full potential.

Tags: aging process, anti-aging, heart disease, metabolic processes, Health, health craze, resveratrol, antioxidants