Media Media Releases ROOIBOS COMPONENT CAN PREVENT AND TREAT HEART DISEASE
| ROOIBOS COMPONENT CAN PREVENT AND TREAT HEART DISEASE |
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12 August 2009 Chrysoeriol, an antioxidant in Rooibos, can prevent and treat vascular disease in people. This is the latest findings from scientists in Japan where Rooibos has been extensively researched in the past 20 years. Chrysoeriol, an antioxidant in Rooibos, can prevent and treat vascular disease in people. This is the latest findings from scientists in Japan where Rooibos has been extensively researched in the past 20 years. Chrysoeriol is able to inhibit the migration of smooth muscle cells inside the aorta, a key cause of atherosclerosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries), according to new findings published in the Journal of Pharmacological Science . The research was done on human aorta cells. They recommend the use of chrysoeriol to prevent and treat the repeated narrowing of blood vessels following coronary angioplasty. During angioplasty a small balloon is used to open up a blocked or narrowed heart artery. The characteristics and bioactivity of the complex mix of compounds in Rooibos are being studied by several research groups around the world. Chrysoeriol is already known for its antioxidant, cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties. “Although chrysoeriol is not the most abundant antioxidant in Rooibos, we are now beginning to understand its other properties that may contribute to the overall health benefits of Rooibos,” Professor Jeanine Marnewick, specialist researcher at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology commented after reviewing these latest findings from Japan. “As scientists unravel the health contributions of the complex mix of compounds in Rooibos, we are finding more and more evidence to substantiate the traditional uses of Rooibos as a remedy for a variety of ailments.” These latest findings follow on earlier work done at the Aga Khan University Medical College in Pakistan where researchers first found that the chrysoeriol in Rooibos has a bronchodilatory effect. They found that it helps to decrease muscle spasms in blood vessels and lung airways and recommended its use as a remedy for congestive airway disorders such as asthma. Their findings and recommendations were published in the European Journal of Nutrition in 2006. NOTE: Cardiovascular disease is a leading killer worldwide and in South Africa. According to data from the Medical Research Council close to 200 people die in South Africa every day as a result of some form of heart or blood vessel disease. About half of these people are younger than 65 years. *About South African Rooibos Council & Rooibos The SARC was established in April 2005 as a non-profit organisation to promote the interests of the South African Rooibos industry locally and internationally. The SARC is proud to announce the Rooibos for Life campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the many benefits offered by the Rooibos plant. Find out more about its history and health properties at www.sarooibos.org.za |
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