Pomegranates grow on a tree that can reach a height of 20 feet, reports Medicinal Herb Info. MedLinePlus adds that pomegranates are not closely related to any other tree species except for one small variety of tree found on an island in Yemen. Yet the pomegranate is used as a medicinal treatment for a number of health conditions. Before you begin to use pomegranate to treat your high cholesterol, consult with your health care provider.
Cholesterol Explained
There are two basic types of cholesterol to be aware of, including LDL, or the "bad" cholesterol that sticks to the inside of your arteries and can cause blockages. The other type is HDL, or the "good" cholesterol, that helps your body remove too much LDL, according to Mayo Clinic. When you get your cholesterol levels tested, you'll undergo a blood test that will give you several values. Most people have a difficult time knowing what levels are best. According to the Mayo Clinic, your overall cholesterol score should be below 200 mg, your LDL level should be below 70 mg, your HDL level should be above 60 mg and your triglycerides, or the amount of fat in your blood, should be below 150 mg.
Pomegranate Health Benefits
Pomegranate is used as a medicinal treatment for conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, "hardening of the arteries" or atherosclerosis, gum disease, prostate cancer, heart disease, diarrhea, sore throat and hemorrhoids, according to MedLinePlus. Drugs.com reports that research shows pomegranate has promise as a potential treatment for MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant form of infection.
Research
Pomegranate juice has been shown to significantly reduce overall cholesterol levels. This was demonstrated in a research study conducted at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel. Researchers investigated the effects of pomegranate juice on the cholesterol levels of animal test subjects. There results showed that HDL levels were increased by 22-37 percent, LDL levels were reduced by 22 percent and triglycerides were reduced significantly. The full study results can be found in the September 2010 edition of "Atherosclerosis."
Considerations
MedLinePlus warns that people with allergies to plants may be more likely to also be allergic to pomegranates. The fruit of the pomegranate tree is considered safe to eat, but don't ingest the roots since they are poisonous. You should also avoid drinking pomegranate juice or eating the fruit for a week or so before having surgery since it may adversely affect your blood pressure during surgery and immediately afterward.
Possible Interactions
Pomegranate juice and fruit may harmfully interact with other medications you may currently be taking. Some antidepressants, medications for high blood pressure, anti-inflammatory drugs and blood thinners have the potential for harmful interactions with pomegranate. To be sure you will not be interfering with the effects of medications you take, talk to your pharmacist or health care provider before you begin to drink pomegranate juice to treat your cholesterol.
