Pomegranate-Linked Substance Shows Heart Benefits in New Study
Summary
Scientists at King's College London found that urolithin A, a compound produced after eating foods like pomegranates, walnuts, and some berries, may improve heart function in people with a certain type of heart failure. This compound helps the heart relax better, reduces scarring, and prevents harmful heart enlargement.Key Facts
- Urolithin A is made by gut bacteria breaking down compounds found in pomegranates, walnuts, and some berries.
- The compound helps the heart muscle relax by activating a protein called PKGIα.
- This is important for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition where the heart pumps blood normally but is too stiff to fill properly.
- The condition causes symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced ability to exercise.
- The study showed urolithin A improved heart relaxation, reduced scarring, and decreased heart muscle cell enlargement in animal models and engineered human heart tissue.
- The condition currently has few treatment options and is becoming more common due to aging, obesity, and diabetes.
- Urolithin A has a good safety profile, suggesting it could be tested in clinical trials for heart failure patients.
- The research was published in the journal Science Advances.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
