People's Pharmacy

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New Health Findings For Ancient Fruit

Posting Date: 11/01/2004

Q. I?m so glad pomegranates are back in season. I love them! Are there health benefits from eating pomegranates, so I don?t have to feel bad about spending money on them?

A. Scientists keep finding new powers for pomegranates. One recent study shows that an extract of this fruit discourages the development of prostate cancers in an animal model (Journal of Medicinal Food, Fall 2004). Another study shows that eating pomegranates can reduce total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol and improve lipid ratios in diabetics.

Previous research has shown that consuming pomegranate fruit or juice can help lower blood pressure and help keep blood platelets from sticking together to form unwanted clots.

Q. My doctor suggested I take up the flute to help with my asthma. As I increased my breath control, my breathing problems were less severe.

But it wasn?t until I learned to breathe from the diaphragm that the flute playing and the asthma both improved dramatically. I haven?t had an attack in years. Is there any information on this kind of breathing for asthmatics?

A. Scientists are finding that relaxation and attention to deep breathing can improve health problems as varied as anxiety, depression, diabetes and hypertension. We have spoken with asthmatics who report that the Buteyko method of breath control is helpful in reducing the number and severity of attacks.

It is based on the theory that asthmatics tend to hyperventilate and need to learn to relax their breathing as well as breathe from the diaphragm.

Experts have shared more details about how changing breathing patterns can affect health, especially blood pressure and asthma. Those who would like to learn more about Buteyko and other approaches may want to order a CD of this hour-long radio interview. It is available for $15 from the People?s Pharmacy (CD-489), P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.