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There is a huge amount of marketing around anti-aging interventions. Creams, potions, diets, medications, devices, surgeries, fasting, exercise programs—all with a claim to turn back the hands of time. There is no perfect and easy answer, but there are some things you can do to slow down the damage that is done as we age, though not age itself. A lot of it comes down to compounds found in food.
Human beings cannot survive without macronutrients—fat, protein and carbohydrates. These are the components of our food whether vegan, paleo, keto, Mediterranean or McDonald’s. The next thing we cannot survive without are essential vitamins and minerals, including micronutrients. For example, if a person has a diet with absolutely no vitamin C, they will develop vitamin C deficiency (called scurvy) and die. I think we all understand the necessity of all these key elements required for life itself. That is why they are called “essential.”
The next most important group of compounds are called polyphenols, and a lot of people have not heard of them. These are compounds in plants that possess amazing properties, including anti-inflammatory activity, immune strengthening, liver and detox facilitation, and protection of the DNA (our blueprints) in our cells. You will not die as quickly from lack of polyphenols as lack of the other essential classes of nutrients, but you cannot live a long and healthy life without them. That is why scientists call them “lifespan essentials” and I couldn’t agree more.
There are more than 8,000 polyphenols, and each and every one of them has unique characteristics. Some are powerful, some not so much. Some are particularly good for inflammation, while others are better at boosting liver detoxification processes. That is why we have to eat all the colors of the rainbow. Blue polyphenols are different from green, red, orange, yellow and purple polyphenols. To get the optimal mix of these compounds on board, it is not just about amount (at least 1,000 mg a day), it is about variety of type. For example, if a person only loved spinach and ate no other fruits or vegetables, she could get 1,000 mg a day eating 14 spinach salads, but they would be of only one type! She would therefore not benefit from the full spectrum and would not have the health impact of more diverse polyphenols.
Here are some other dietary equivalents for 1,000 mg of polyphenols:
• 60 bowls of cooked broccoli
• 5 cups of blueberries
• six to seven apples
• 6 cups of green tea
• 20 red onions
• 7 ounces of pecans
Eating a healthy and colorful diet is important for preventing the damage associated with the aging process, but polyphenols can also be taken as supplements. This can be important for people wanting to boost their intake, but also for people who have a limited diet that does not contain ample fruits and vegetables. Some of the most powerful and clinically studied polyphenols are curcumin from turmeric, grape seed, propolis (collected from plants by bees), apples and green tea.
Curcumin
Curcumin, the key polyphenol from the turmeric plant rhizome, is what gives the spice a brilliant orange color. Curcumin is one of the most clinically studied herbal medicines in the world, with more than 20,000 studies archived in the electronic database of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) available at PubMed.gov.
When one considers the three most important factors that promote age-related changes, they include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress/free radicals and exposure to toxins, both natural and synthetic. Curcumin addresses all three areas. Curcumin is perhaps the most powerful anti-inflammatory compound from any plant. Curcumin is a super potent antioxidant. And curcumin promotes liver detoxification by promoting hepatic cellular regeneration and bile production. It is an anti-aging superstar that can address a multitude of chronic diseases and the aging process itself.
In order to get the most powerful benefits, curcumin must have enhanced absorption. There are several methods to achieve this, but beware, as some are using synthetic solvents to boost numbers, and that is problematic. I prefer enhancement methods that are clinically studied and from nature, not a chemistry set.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed is perhaps best known for preventing and treating various aspects of heart disease, because it addresses many concerns simultaneously. It protects blood vessel walls from free radical damage and prevents the dangerous oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which contributes to atherosclerotic plaque. It improves the flexibility of the blood vessel, and reduces blood pressure, which, in turn, reduces wear and tear on the heart.
The heavy lifter in grape seed are polyphenols called oligomeric proanthocyanins, or OPCs. In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, 300 mg of grape seed extract with OPCs significantly reduced blood pressure in a few weeks. In scientific studies, it has been shown to strengthen the structure of joints and bones. In cancer research, OPCs have been found to shrink tumor cells and prevent tumor recurrence.
The OPCs from grape seed extract have even been shown to improve memory, attention span and concentration.
However, OPCs do not absorb equally—only those of the smallest size can fit through the doors in our intestines. The large size OPCs are called tannins. Tannins are not dangerous, but they do not absorb. It is important to look for a tannin-free source of OPCs, which have a low-molecular weight and are easily absorbed. Tannin-free OPCs from grape seed extract have been used in a number of published scientific studies, especially relating to antioxidant strength and cancer.
Propolis
Propolis is a plant material collected by bees and transported back to the hive to protect their home from contamination with microbes. Propolis is rich in compounds that have anti-bacterial and anti-viral actions that help preserve the health of the hive. When propolis is filtered to remove beeswax and other impurities, it becomes a concentrated source of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Clinical studies have shown that propolis reduces both the duration and severity of ear infections. It has been shown to prevent recurrent ear infection or development of related upper respiratory tract infections. It is effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Streptococcus pyogenes. It is even an antifungal that can treat Candida albicans overgrowth.
Propolis protects our cell’s DNA from free radical damage. Oxidative stress creates free radicals, which in turn can damage the blueprint of our DNA. If there are enough problems with the DNA, abnormal cells result, which promote cancer and other diseases. Accumulation of DNA damage is also a significant part of the aging process.
Apples
Apples are excellent sources of a number of polyphenols. When used in a supplement, apple polyphenols are usually extracted from unripe apples, because that is when they achieve their highest concentration in the fruit.
Polyphenols from apples improve physical endurance, reduce fatigue, play a role in reducing visceral fat, and improve cholesterol balance. Apples contain compounds that are effective for reducing allergies and have been shown to reduce allergic sinus congestion. Apple polyphenols, combined with saffron and grape seed extract, have been shown in published studies to increase nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is required for vasodilation, meaning it can improve blood flow throughout the body and reduce blood pressure. This is important, as NO production can make a measurable difference in heart and brain health, as well as improve men’s sexual performance.
Green Tea
I would hazard a guess that green tea is the healthiest widely consumed beverage in the world. Much of green tea’s health benefits are attributed to the polyphenol content. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most well-known green tea polyphenol, has been used in a number of studies, especially in cancer and cancer prevention. Cancer researchers discovered that EGCG from green tea promotes and preserves one of the body’s natural anti-cancer proteins called p53, so it can make daily repairs to DNA and stop tumors before they start.
Green tea polyphenols reduce the damage to the skin from sun exposure and UV radiation. As well as increasing collagen production in the skin. For this reason, it is often included in beauty-from-within types of products.
Polyphenols from green tea have a multitude of benefits, such as improving brain function, helping to prevent Alzheimer’s, and fighting infections. Polyphenols = Better Health and Longevity
Increasing the amount and diversity of polyphenols you ingest daily is probably the most powerful thing you can do as part of your foundational health. These amazing compounds from the world of plants increase strength, staminal, brain function, immune resistance, heart power, focus, mood, liver detoxification processes . . . the list could continue for another page or more. Using supplements to increase your polyphenol intake to more than 1,000 mg a day makes sense in a world where we all want to live young—to a very old age. VR
Some references used:
Goel A, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin, the golden spice from Indian saffron, is a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors and chemoprotector and radioprotector for normal organs. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(7):919-30.
Hejazi J, Rastmanesh R, Taleban F, Molana S, and Ehtejab G. A Pilot Clinical Trial of Radioprotective Effects of Curcumin Supplementation in Patients with Prostate Cancer. J Cancer Sci Ther. 2013, 5.10.
Buhrmann C, Kraehe P, Lueders C, Shayan P, Goel A, et al. Curcumin Suppresses Crosstalk between Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Stromal Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Role of EMT. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(9): e107514.
Shakibaei M, Buhrmann C, Kraehe P, Shayan P, Lueders C and Goel A. Curcumin chemosensitizes 5-Fluorouracil resistant MMR-deficient human colon cancer cells in high density cultures. PLoS ONE. 2014:9(1).
Park SY, Jin ML, Kim YH, Kim Y, Lee SJ. Anti-inflammatory effects of aromatic-turmerone through blocking of NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in amyloid β-stimulated microglia. Int Immunopharmacol. 2012 Sep;14(1):13-20. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.06.003. Epub 2012 Jun 20.
Murakami A, Furukawa I, Miyamoto S, Tanaka T, Ohigashi H. Curcumin combined with turmerones, essential oil components of turmeric, abolishes inflammation-associated mouse colon carcinogenesis. Biofactors. 2013 Mar-Apr;39(2):221-32. doi: 10.1002/biof.1054. Epub 2012 Dec 11.
Hucklenbroich J, Klein R, Neumaier B, Graf R, Fink GR, Schroeter M, Rueger MA. Aromatic-turmerone induces neural stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2014 Sep 26;5(4):100. doi: 10.1186/scrt500.
Goel A, Kunnumakkara AB, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin as “Curecumin”: from kitchen to clinic. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 15;75(4):787-809.
Antony B, Merina B, Iyer VS, Judy N, Lennertz K, Joyal S. A pilot cross-over study to evaluate human oral bioavailability of BCM-95 CG (Biocurcumax™) a novel bioenhanced preparation of curcumin. Ind J Pharm Sci. 2008:445-449.
Hejazi J, Rastmanesh R, Taleban FA, Molana SH, Hejazi E, Ehtejab G, Hara N. Effect of Curcumin Supplementation During Radiotherapy on Oxidative Status of Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Double Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrition and Cancer. 2016;0(0):1-9.]
Toden S, Ravindranathan P, Gu J, Cardenas J, Yuchang M, Goel A. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) target cancer stem-like cells and suppress tumor organoid formation in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 20;8(1):3335.
Ravindranathan P, Pasham D, Goel A. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from grape seed extract suppress the activity of ABC transporters in overcoming chemoresistance in colorectal cancer cells. Carcinogenesis. 2018 Dec 29.
Ravindranathan P, Pasham D, Balaji U, Cardenas J, Gu J, Toden S, Goel A. Mechanistic insights into anticancer properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seeds in colorectal cancer. Carcinogenesis. 2018 May 28;39(6):767-777.
Ravindranathan P, Pasham D, Balaji U, Cardenas J, Gu J, Toden S, Goel A. A combination of curcumin and oligomeric proanthocyanidins offer superior anti-tumorigenic properties in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 14;8(1):13869.
Schön C, Allegrini P, Engelhart-Jentzsch K, Riva A, Petrangolini G. Grape Seed Extract Positively Modulates Blood Pressure and Perceived Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Volunteers. Nutrients. 2021 Feb 17;13(2):654.
Asama T, Hiraoka T, Ohkuma A, Okumura N, Yamaki A, Urakami K. Cognitive Improvement and Safety Assessment of a Dietary Supplement Containing Propolis Extract in Elderly Japanese: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind Human Clinical Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Feb 24;2021:6664217. doi: 10.1155/2021/6664217. PMID: 33680059; PMCID: PMC7929669.
Di Pierro F, Zanvit A, Colombo M. Role of a proprietary propolis-based product on the wait-and-see approach in acute otitis media and in preventing evolution to tracheitis, bronchitis, or rhinosinusitis from nonstreptococcal pharyngitis. Int J Gen Med. 2016;9:409-414.
Marchisio P, Esposito S, Bianchini S, et al. Effectiveness of a propolis and zinc solution in preventing acute otitis media in children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2010;23(2):567-575.
Carr RR, Nahata MC. Complementary and alternative medicine for upper-respiratory-tract infection in children. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2006;63(1):33-39.
Al-Hariri M. Immune’s-boosting agent: Immunomodulation potentials of propolis. J Family Community Med. 2019;26(1):57-60. doi:10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_46_18.
Szmeja Z, Kulczyński B, Sosnowski Z, Konopacki K. [Therapeutic value of flavonoids in Rhinovirus infections]. Otolaryngol Pol. 1989;43(3):180-4. Polish. PubMed PMID: 2695883.
Bachevski D, Damevska K, Simeonovski V, Dimova M. Back to the basics: Propolis and COVID-19. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Jun 7:e13780.
Ataka S, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, Mizuma H, Mizuno K, Tahara T, Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kuratsune H, Kajimoto O, Watanabe Y. Effects of Applephenon and ascorbic acid on physical fatigue. Nutrition. 2007 May;23(5):419-23. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.03.002. PMID: 17483009.
Akazome Y. Characteristics and physiological functions of polyphenols from apples. Biofactors. 2004;22(1-4):311-4. doi: 10.1002/biof.5520220161. PMID: 15630302.
Enomoto T, Nagasako-Akazome Y, Kanda T, Ikeda M, Dake Y. Clinical effects of apple polyphenols on persistent allergic rhinitis: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel arm study. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(5):283-9. PMID: 17039666.
Reygaert WC. Green Tea Catechins: Their Use in Treating and Preventing Infectious Diseases. Biomed Res Int. 2018 Jul 17;2018:9105261. doi: 10.1155/2018/9105261. PMID: 30105263; PMCID: PMC6076941.
Rowe CA, Nantz MP, Bukowski JF, Percival SS. Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances gamma,delta T cell function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Oct;26(5):445-52. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2007.10719634. PMID: 17914132.
Prasanth MI, Sivamaruthi BS, Chaiyasut C, Tencomnao T. A Review of the Role of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) in Antiphotoaging, Stress Resistance, Neuroprotection, and Autophagy. Nutrients. 2019;11(2):474. Published 2019 Feb 23. doi:10.3390/nu11020474.
Li J, Romero-Garcia R, Suckling J, Feng L. Habitual tea drinking modulates brain efficiency: evidence from brain connectivity evaluation. Aging (Albany NY). 2019;11(11):3876–3890. doi:10.18632/aging.102023.
Cheryl Myers is an integrative health nurse, author, and an expert on natural medicine. She is a nationally recognized speaker who has been interviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Prevention magazine. Her many articles have been published in such diverse journals as Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Nutrition in Complementary Care, and her research on botanicals has been presented at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the North American Menopause Society. Myers is the head of scientific affairs and education for EuroPharma, Inc.
There is a huge amount of marketing around anti-aging interventions. Creams, potions, diets, medications, devices, surgeries, fasting, exercise programs—all with a claim to turn back the hands of time. There is no perfect and easy answer, but there are some things you can do to slow down the damage that is done as we age, though not age itself. A lot of it comes down to compounds found in food.
Human beings cannot survive without macronutrients—fat, protein and carbohydrates. These are the components of our food whether vegan, paleo, keto, Mediterranean or McDonald’s. The next thing we cannot survive without are essential vitamins and minerals, including micronutrients. For example, if a person has a diet with absolutely no vitamin C, they will develop vitamin C deficiency (called scurvy) and die. I think we all understand the necessity of all these key elements required for life itself. That is why they are called “essential.”
The next most important group of compounds are called polyphenols, and a lot of people have not heard of them. These are compounds in plants that possess amazing properties, including anti-inflammatory activity, immune strengthening, liver and detox facilitation, and protection of the DNA (our blueprints) in our cells. You will not die as quickly from lack of polyphenols as lack of the other essential classes of nutrients, but you cannot live a long and healthy life without them. That is why scientists call them “lifespan essentials” and I couldn’t agree more.
There are more than 8,000 polyphenols, and each and every one of them has unique characteristics. Some are powerful, some not so much. Some are particularly good for inflammation, while others are better at boosting liver detoxification processes. That is why we have to eat all the colors of the rainbow. Blue polyphenols are different from green, red, orange, yellow and purple polyphenols. To get the optimal mix of these compounds on board, it is not just about amount (at least 1,000 mg a day), it is about variety of type. For example, if a person only loved spinach and ate no other fruits or vegetables, she could get 1,000 mg a day eating 14 spinach salads, but they would be of only one type! She would therefore not benefit from the full spectrum and would not have the health impact of more diverse polyphenols.
Here are some other dietary equivalents for 1,000 mg of polyphenols:
• 60 bowls of cooked broccoli
• 5 cups of blueberries
• six to seven apples
• 6 cups of green tea
• 20 red onions
• 7 ounces of pecans
Eating a healthy and colorful diet is important for preventing the damage associated with the aging process, but polyphenols can also be taken as supplements. This can be important for people wanting to boost their intake, but also for people who have a limited diet that does not contain ample fruits and vegetables. Some of the most powerful and clinically studied polyphenols are curcumin from turmeric, grape seed, propolis (collected from plants by bees), apples and green tea.
Curcumin
Curcumin, the key polyphenol from the turmeric plant rhizome, is what gives the spice a brilliant orange color. Curcumin is one of the most clinically studied herbal medicines in the world, with more than 20,000 studies archived in the electronic database of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) available at PubMed.gov.
When one considers the three most important factors that promote age-related changes, they include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress/free radicals and exposure to toxins, both natural and synthetic. Curcumin addresses all three areas. Curcumin is perhaps the most powerful anti-inflammatory compound from any plant. Curcumin is a super potent antioxidant. And curcumin promotes liver detoxification by promoting hepatic cellular regeneration and bile production. It is an anti-aging superstar that can address a multitude of chronic diseases and the aging process itself.
In order to get the most powerful benefits, curcumin must have enhanced absorption. There are several methods to achieve this, but beware, as some are using synthetic solvents to boost numbers, and that is problematic. I prefer enhancement methods that are clinically studied and from nature, not a chemistry set.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed is perhaps best known for preventing and treating various aspects of heart disease, because it addresses many concerns simultaneously. It protects blood vessel walls from free radical damage and prevents the dangerous oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which contributes to atherosclerotic plaque. It improves the flexibility of the blood vessel, and reduces blood pressure, which, in turn, reduces wear and tear on the heart.
The heavy lifter in grape seed are polyphenols called oligomeric proanthocyanins, or OPCs. In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, 300 mg of grape seed extract with OPCs significantly reduced blood pressure in a few weeks. In scientific studies, it has been shown to strengthen the structure of joints and bones. In cancer research, OPCs have been found to shrink tumor cells and prevent tumor recurrence.
The OPCs from grape seed extract have even been shown to improve memory, attention span and concentration.
However, OPCs do not absorb equally—only those of the smallest size can fit through the doors in our intestines. The large size OPCs are called tannins. Tannins are not dangerous, but they do not absorb. It is important to look for a tannin-free source of OPCs, which have a low-molecular weight and are easily absorbed. Tannin-free OPCs from grape seed extract have been used in a number of published scientific studies, especially relating to antioxidant strength and cancer.
Propolis
Propolis is a plant material collected by bees and transported back to the hive to protect their home from contamination with microbes. Propolis is rich in compounds that have anti-bacterial and anti-viral actions that help preserve the health of the hive. When propolis is filtered to remove beeswax and other impurities, it becomes a concentrated source of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Clinical studies have shown that propolis reduces both the duration and severity of ear infections. It has been shown to prevent recurrent ear infection or development of related upper respiratory tract infections. It is effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Streptococcus pyogenes. It is even an antifungal that can treat Candida albicans overgrowth.
Propolis protects our cell’s DNA from free radical damage. Oxidative stress creates free radicals, which in turn can damage the blueprint of our DNA. If there are enough problems with the DNA, abnormal cells result, which promote cancer and other diseases. Accumulation of DNA damage is also a significant part of the aging process.
Apples
Apples are excellent sources of a number of polyphenols. When used in a supplement, apple polyphenols are usually extracted from unripe apples, because that is when they achieve their highest concentration in the fruit.
Polyphenols from apples improve physical endurance, reduce fatigue, play a role in reducing visceral fat, and improve cholesterol balance. Apples contain compounds that are effective for reducing allergies and have been shown to reduce allergic sinus congestion. Apple polyphenols, combined with saffron and grape seed extract, have been shown in published studies to increase nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is required for vasodilation, meaning it can improve blood flow throughout the body and reduce blood pressure. This is important, as NO production can make a measurable difference in heart and brain health, as well as improve men’s sexual performance.
Green Tea
I would hazard a guess that green tea is the healthiest widely consumed beverage in the world. Much of green tea’s health benefits are attributed to the polyphenol content. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most well-known green tea polyphenol, has been used in a number of studies, especially in cancer and cancer prevention. Cancer researchers discovered that EGCG from green tea promotes and preserves one of the body’s natural anti-cancer proteins called p53, so it can make daily repairs to DNA and stop tumors before they start.
Green tea polyphenols reduce the damage to the skin from sun exposure and UV radiation. As well as increasing collagen production in the skin. For this reason, it is often included in beauty-from-within types of products.
Polyphenols from green tea have a multitude of benefits, such as improving brain function, helping to prevent Alzheimer’s, and fighting infections. Polyphenols = Better Health and Longevity
Increasing the amount and diversity of polyphenols you ingest daily is probably the most powerful thing you can do as part of your foundational health. These amazing compounds from the world of plants increase strength, staminal, brain function, immune resistance, heart power, focus, mood, liver detoxification processes . . . the list could continue for another page or more. Using supplements to increase your polyphenol intake to more than 1,000 mg a day makes sense in a world where we all want to live young—to a very old age. VR
Some references used:
Goel A, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin, the golden spice from Indian saffron, is a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors and chemoprotector and radioprotector for normal organs. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(7):919-30.
Hejazi J, Rastmanesh R, Taleban F, Molana S, and Ehtejab G. A Pilot Clinical Trial of Radioprotective Effects of Curcumin Supplementation in Patients with Prostate Cancer. J Cancer Sci Ther. 2013, 5.10.
Buhrmann C, Kraehe P, Lueders C, Shayan P, Goel A, et al. Curcumin Suppresses Crosstalk between Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Stromal Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Role of EMT. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(9): e107514.
Shakibaei M, Buhrmann C, Kraehe P, Shayan P, Lueders C and Goel A. Curcumin chemosensitizes 5-Fluorouracil resistant MMR-deficient human colon cancer cells in high density cultures. PLoS ONE. 2014:9(1).
Park SY, Jin ML, Kim YH, Kim Y, Lee SJ. Anti-inflammatory effects of aromatic-turmerone through blocking of NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in amyloid β-stimulated microglia. Int Immunopharmacol. 2012 Sep;14(1):13-20. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.06.003. Epub 2012 Jun 20.
Murakami A, Furukawa I, Miyamoto S, Tanaka T, Ohigashi H. Curcumin combined with turmerones, essential oil components of turmeric, abolishes inflammation-associated mouse colon carcinogenesis. Biofactors. 2013 Mar-Apr;39(2):221-32. doi: 10.1002/biof.1054. Epub 2012 Dec 11.
Hucklenbroich J, Klein R, Neumaier B, Graf R, Fink GR, Schroeter M, Rueger MA. Aromatic-turmerone induces neural stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2014 Sep 26;5(4):100. doi: 10.1186/scrt500.
Goel A, Kunnumakkara AB, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin as “Curecumin”: from kitchen to clinic. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 15;75(4):787-809.
Antony B, Merina B, Iyer VS, Judy N, Lennertz K, Joyal S. A pilot cross-over study to evaluate human oral bioavailability of BCM-95 CG (Biocurcumax™) a novel bioenhanced preparation of curcumin. Ind J Pharm Sci. 2008:445-449.
Hejazi J, Rastmanesh R, Taleban FA, Molana SH, Hejazi E, Ehtejab G, Hara N. Effect of Curcumin Supplementation During Radiotherapy on Oxidative Status of Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Double Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrition and Cancer. 2016;0(0):1-9.]
Toden S, Ravindranathan P, Gu J, Cardenas J, Yuchang M, Goel A. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) target cancer stem-like cells and suppress tumor organoid formation in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 20;8(1):3335.
Ravindranathan P, Pasham D, Goel A. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from grape seed extract suppress the activity of ABC transporters in overcoming chemoresistance in colorectal cancer cells. Carcinogenesis. 2018 Dec 29.
Ravindranathan P, Pasham D, Balaji U, Cardenas J, Gu J, Toden S, Goel A. Mechanistic insights into anticancer properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seeds in colorectal cancer. Carcinogenesis. 2018 May 28;39(6):767-777.
Ravindranathan P, Pasham D, Balaji U, Cardenas J, Gu J, Toden S, Goel A. A combination of curcumin and oligomeric proanthocyanidins offer superior anti-tumorigenic properties in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 14;8(1):13869.
Schön C, Allegrini P, Engelhart-Jentzsch K, Riva A, Petrangolini G. Grape Seed Extract Positively Modulates Blood Pressure and Perceived Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Volunteers. Nutrients. 2021 Feb 17;13(2):654.
Asama T, Hiraoka T, Ohkuma A, Okumura N, Yamaki A, Urakami K. Cognitive Improvement and Safety Assessment of a Dietary Supplement Containing Propolis Extract in Elderly Japanese: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind Human Clinical Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Feb 24;2021:6664217. doi: 10.1155/2021/6664217. PMID: 33680059; PMCID: PMC7929669.
Di Pierro F, Zanvit A, Colombo M. Role of a proprietary propolis-based product on the wait-and-see approach in acute otitis media and in preventing evolution to tracheitis, bronchitis, or rhinosinusitis from nonstreptococcal pharyngitis. Int J Gen Med. 2016;9:409-414.
Marchisio P, Esposito S, Bianchini S, et al. Effectiveness of a propolis and zinc solution in preventing acute otitis media in children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2010;23(2):567-575.
Carr RR, Nahata MC. Complementary and alternative medicine for upper-respiratory-tract infection in children. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2006;63(1):33-39.
Al-Hariri M. Immune’s-boosting agent: Immunomodulation potentials of propolis. J Family Community Med. 2019;26(1):57-60. doi:10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_46_18.
Szmeja Z, Kulczyński B, Sosnowski Z, Konopacki K. [Therapeutic value of flavonoids in Rhinovirus infections]. Otolaryngol Pol. 1989;43(3):180-4. Polish. PubMed PMID: 2695883.
Bachevski D, Damevska K, Simeonovski V, Dimova M. Back to the basics: Propolis and COVID-19. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Jun 7:e13780.
Ataka S, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, Mizuma H, Mizuno K, Tahara T, Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kuratsune H, Kajimoto O, Watanabe Y. Effects of Applephenon and ascorbic acid on physical fatigue. Nutrition. 2007 May;23(5):419-23. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.03.002. PMID: 17483009.
Akazome Y. Characteristics and physiological functions of polyphenols from apples. Biofactors. 2004;22(1-4):311-4. doi: 10.1002/biof.5520220161. PMID: 15630302.
Enomoto T, Nagasako-Akazome Y, Kanda T, Ikeda M, Dake Y. Clinical effects of apple polyphenols on persistent allergic rhinitis: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel arm study. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(5):283-9. PMID: 17039666.
Reygaert WC. Green Tea Catechins: Their Use in Treating and Preventing Infectious Diseases. Biomed Res Int. 2018 Jul 17;2018:9105261. doi: 10.1155/2018/9105261. PMID: 30105263; PMCID: PMC6076941.
Rowe CA, Nantz MP, Bukowski JF, Percival SS. Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances gamma,delta T cell function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Oct;26(5):445-52. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2007.10719634. PMID: 17914132.
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Cheryl Myers is an integrative health nurse, author, and an expert on natural medicine. She is a nationally recognized speaker who has been interviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Prevention magazine. Her many articles have been published in such diverse journals as Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Nutrition in Complementary Care, and her research on botanicals has been presented at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the North American Menopause Society. Myers is the head of scientific affairs and education for EuroPharma, Inc.
