A Look at Xanthones and Mangosteen

by Leslie Martin

We've all heard the news for years about how important it is to get the right amount of antioxidants in order to keep our bodies healthy and ward of disease. Now there's a new classification of antioxidants called xanthones, first discovered in the mangosteen fruit, which are poised to be one of the biggest discoveries of modern science in terms of health benefits.

While the concept of antioxidants may seem even more confusing when adding in another aspect, xanthones are fairly easy to understand, given their clear-cut, scientifically-proven benefits.

What are Xanthones?

Technically put, xanthones are a set of chemical compounds that can be synthetically produced, but are more often found and more potent in their natural settings. Xanthones are powerful antioxidants in a family of phytonutrients.

To date, researchers have discovered and classified approximately 200 xanthones, 40 of which are found in the mangosteen fruit. As a matter of fact, xanthones were first discovered when scientists began studying the health benefits of mangosteen based on its traditional indigenous medical uses.

Research into the medicinal properties of xanthones found in the mangosteen began in the 1970s, and gradually picked up pace as scientists began finding more exciting nutritional properties. Between 1996 and 2005, an exponential amount of research has been done in regards to mangosteen and its xanthones, and even more studies are in the works.

Xanthones in Mangosteen

To recap, xanthones are powerful antioxidants, and out of the 200 xanthones known to science, 40 of them are found in mangosteen.

But what do the antioxidant properties of the xanthones in mangosteen do for you? Antioxidants function as a balance for free radicals in the body. Free radicals are potentially harmful, yet oftentimes natural substances in your body that, when left free reign, build up and cause diseases like cancer, heart disease, and more.

The xanthones function to travel through your body, literally mopping up the free radicals on their way, leaving your body cleaner and healthier than before.

Some of the most important xanthones found in mangosteen include:

Alpha-mangostin
Beta-mangostin
Gamma-mangostin
Garcinone
Garcinone A
Garcinone C
Garcinone D
Mangostanol
Gartanin

These, among other xanthones, have been touted by independent researchers to have properties to include antiinflammatory, anticonvulsant, antiallergic, antitumor, and antiplatelet, to name just a few.

Known Benefits of Xanthones

Scientific research has made it abundantly clear that no other fruit compares in its health benefits to mangosteen, due to its xanthones and other nutritional properties.

Helping to fight cancer is just one of the many properties that different xanthones perform. For instance, one study performed in Japan showed that the xanthone alpha-mangostin had apparent properties that suppressed the development of tumors. Another, performed in China, found the xanthone garcinone E to show significant anticancer effects in terms of liver, lung, and gastric cancer cells.

In addition, some xanthones have shown significant antimicrobial effects in terms of fighting MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), which is a bacterial strain known for its tenacious resistance to pharmacologic antibiotics. One scientific study also showed that alpha-mangostin, beta-mangostin, and garcinone B to have pronounced inhibition effects on a strain of tuberculosis.

As if that isn't enough, xanthones have also been scientifically proven to help lower LDL, the bad cholesterol, by protecting the LDL from coming into contact with free radicals, thus leaving it unable to oxidize and attach to arterial walls and cause atherosclerosis.

Taking into account the anticancer, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering effects of the xanthones found in mangosteen, here is just a sampling of the other many benefits that science has either researched or is in the process of discovering:

Antiviral
Helps lower blood pressure
Helps fight fatigue
Antidepressant
Prevents stomach ulcers
Aids with weight loss
Antiaging
Combats diarrhea
Pain reducer
Heart protective
Analgesic
Anti-parkinsonian and anti-Alzheimer
Lowers fevers
Builds immunity to disease
Antiallergen
Antifungal
Antiparasitic

Indeed, even now some health practitioners are suggesting drinking mangosteen juice for relief to people who suffer from the following diseases:

Infections
Skin ailments like psoriasis, seborrhea, or eczema
Joint problems and arthritis
Dementia
Anxiety and depression
Cancer
Chronic pain
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Ulcers
Diabetes

The Fruit with Xanthone Power

As time goes by, it's becoming less and less uncanny how traditional and folk medicine seems to have a grasp on the nutritional properties of food better than modern science has in the past. Indeed, it seems in some cases, especially in that of the mangosteen, science is working to catch up.

The mangosteen fruit is believed to have originated in the Moluccas and the Sunda Islands. It's been used for decades upon decades by people from Thailand, the Philippines, and China in folk medicine to treat dysentery, skin disorders like eczema, diarrhea and cystitis, among other ailments.

One of the reasons why mangosteen is only now gaining notoriety and popularity is because, for many years, direct importation of the fruit from other countries has been illegal, based on governmental regulations to help quarantine the Asian fruit fly. Unfortunately, the mangosteen tree doesn't grow well in most or all climates in the United States, so attempts to grow the fruit here have been relatively unsuccessful.

However, as science has begun proving the unsurpassed medical value of the rare mangosteen fruit and its xanthones, juices and preserves are becoming more and more readily available.

In terms of taste, the mangosteen itself is considered one of the most exquisitely delicious fruits nature has to offer. Often called the "Queen of Fruits," the taste of mangosteen is unique, but is often described as sweet and tangy with hints of pear, ripe strawberry, and grape.

After sampling mangosteen, it's easy to see why this fruit is so popular in Thailand due to its taste. And after learning about the benefits of the xanthones found in mangosteen, it's even more clear how nutritionally beneficial this amazing fruit is.

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Many Serious Diseases Linked to Inflammation

Many researchers and scientists are starting to think that the key to good health may come by studying inflammation and how it works. Much of this information was summed up in a 2004 Time Magazine cover story which can be found here:

Inflammation: The Secret Killer

It is a very interesting article that describes how inflammation might play a major role in the advancement of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, TB, arthritis, and heart disease.

It also talks about how people with lower levels of C-Reactive Protien, an inflammation indicator, are less likely to contract these diseases.

The article also discusses how the levels of COX-2 and free radicals affect the body.

There have also been many studies about how the mangosteen fruit may reduce inflammation levels in the human body, as the following article indicates:

Science of the Mangosteen & Role of Inflammation on Chronic Disease
By Les Berenson M.D., F.A.C.P. (Revised 5-07)

Although these statements have not been reviewed by the FDA, and the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, a few ounces of mangosteen juice a day, in my opinion, are worth a try to maintain your health.

Click here for more information on Xango, or click here to try a free sample.

How to eat a mangosteen

The mangosteen fruit is still quite rare in the West, but has been highly regarded in Southeast Asia for centuries for it's excellent taste and medicinal properties. Known as the "Queen of Fruits", (not the "King", as the announcer mistakenly calls it) this unusual delicacy should be properly prepared, as the video shows.


VideoJug: How To Eat A Mangosteen

Statistics about Heart Disease Discussed Here

According to the statistics about heart disease published in 2006 by the Center for Disease Control, 24.7 million adults have been diagnosed with heart disease. This figure is equivalent to 11.5% of the American adult population.

Reversing heart disease may not be possible in all cases, but according to the American Heart Association, most people with cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, can live full and enjoyable lives, with the right treatment and attention to lifestyle.

The CDC is only one agency that publishes statistics about heart disease. “Diseases of the heart” is listed as the number one cause of death in the United States. It is important to remember that this figure includes all deaths caused by all of the different diseases of the heart, not just coronary artery disease, which is a narrowing of the arteries that lead to the heart.

For simplicity’s sake, the National Vital Statistics Report, which is responsible for publishing these statistics about heart disease deaths, does not include subcategories in this report. It is impossible to tell how many of these deaths (654,092 in 2004) were caused by coronary artery disease, heart failure or another disease affecting the heart.

Also known as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease is the focus of some research concerning reversing heart disease.

According to the Health Center at the University of Texas, noninvasive positron emission tomography, a technology developed by Dr. K. Lance Gould allows doctors to see where heart blood flow has been restricted by early cholesterol buildup in the arteries, with greater accuracy than previous technologies, including the stress test.

A treatment program can be designed for the individual to remove the cholesterol from the artery wall, thus reversing heart disease processes. Reversing heart disease takes time, typically 18-24 months and there is some remaining risk of heart attack during this time, but the doctors and researchers at UT believe that treatment can be quite effective. Dietary and lifestyle changes will still be necessary to prevent additional cholesterol build-up, however.

According to statistics about heart disease published by the American Heart Association, 5 million Americans are living with heart failure and approximately 500,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Coronary artery disease and heart failure are not the same conditions, but untreated coronary artery disease can lead to heart failure. These and other statistics about heart disease indicate that coronary artery disease leads to heart failure about 20% of the time, which is distressing, since the latest technology can be effective at reversing heart disease and preventing its progression to heart failure.

Some doctors and researchers believe that coronary artery disease and many other diseases can be linked to inflammatory responses within the body. Being overweight can cause inflammation all over the body. Improper diet can lead to inflammation. Type II or adult onset diabetes, one of the many risk factors for heart disease, is believed to be linked to inflammation. All of this research supports the importance of proper diet, regular exercise and weight control.

Some researchers have reached the conclusion that natural anti-inflammatories may be safer and more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs, because natural anti-inflammatories target a number of inflammatory responses, while synthetic anti-inflammatories may target only a single inflammatory molecule.

The mangosteen -- an exotic fruit from Southeast Asia, not to be confused with the common mango -- has been shown in scientific research to contain a very potent anti-inflammatory, a Cox-2 inhibitor, as well as numerous vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that can prevent blood clots; reduce bad cholesterol and support overall function of the heart.

Patient reports indicate that it helps control diabetes; lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the need for insulin. Mangosteen products may also help those who need to get up and take a walk, by increasing energy and improving blood flow. There is no magic health elixir for preventing or reversing heart disease, but mangosteen may help.

The statistics for heart disease may be depressing, but even more depressing is the fact that 66.3% of all Americans over the age of 20 are overweight, another risk factor for developing heart disease.

So, in summary, see your doctor, follow good dietary and lifestyle habits, and perhaps try a natural anti-inflammatory like the editors at restore-your-health.com.

Mike Leuthen is cheif editor of http://www.restore-your-health.com Visit us to learn more about what you can do to prevent coming a statistic of heart disease.

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