Description
Our UpYourHeart™ formula utilizes a synergistic combination of high-quality pomegranate & hawthorn berry powders to offer natural support for the good functioning and health of your cardiovascular system.*
What Does Our UpYourHeart™ Formula Contain?
Our UpYourHeart™ formula contains 3 synergistically chosen ingredients:
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed powder – 6.25 g
- Hawthorn berry powder – 2.50 g
- D-ribose –1.25 g
It comes as a capsule-free powder, in 30 servings per container, and is suitable for vegans.
Like our other nutraceuticals, our UpYourHeart™ is free from preservatives, artificial flavorings, colorings and gluten, dairy, soya, yeast, fish & meat.
What Is The Recommended Daily Dosage?
We recommend two teaspoonfuls per day or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner. It can be consumed with meals.
What Does the Science Say?
Pomegranate
It’s no secret that pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is rich in many phytochemicals, which are believed to be responsible for its strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential [1]. We have chosen to include it in our UpYourHeart™ formula thanks to its well-documented benefits for the cardiovascular system [2,3,4].
Indeed, research suggest pomegranate can regulate the lipid metabolism in diseases associated with metabolic disorder, such as atherosclerosis [5,6, 7].
In 2004, Isreaeli researchers published the results of a multi-year study of pomegranate juice consumption by atherosclerosis patients with severe carotid artery stenosis (i.e. a 70-90% blockage of the internal carotid arteries) [7]. Consisting of 19 men and women aged 65-75, the active group received 50ml / daily of pomegranate juice for a period of 12 months (5 active group participants continued this regiment for another 2 years). The authors observed that daily consumption of pomegranate juice reduced the average initima media thickness – the middle portion of arteries causing blockage – was reduced by 35% after 12 months (and already 13% after 3 months) [7].
A 2010 in vivo study investigate the protective potential of pomegranate seeds on the heart [8]. Wistar rats were given 100 or 300 mg/kg of a liquid pomegranate seed extract for three weeks and induced a myocardial infarction thereafter. The authors noted that pre-treatment with the pomegranate seed extract caused a restoration of the heart rate, PRI and ECG values to normal as well as a significant reduction in vascular damage [8].
Thanks to their antioxidative properties, pomegranate seeds were able to protect against diabetes-induced oxidant/antioxidant imbalances in heart & kidney tissue in rats [9]. As oxidative stress can lead to tissue damage, this further supports their cardioprotective features.
Further in vivo evidence suggests pomegranate seed extracts could also attenuate nephrotoxicity resulting from chemotherapy [10].
Hawthorn berry
Characteristically red, sweet, full of flavonoids & polyphenols, the hawthorn berry also packs a myriad of potential benefits for our health, not least for that of the heart and the cardiovascular system [11,12]. It is well-known for its use in the treatment of various heart problems, including heart failure, angina pectoris, hypertension, arrythmia and atherosclerosis [11].
In vivo evidence suggests that hawthorn berry has a dual effect as an inhibitor of the inflammatory response and oxidative stress on the heart [13].
A meta-analysis of 14 randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials from 1951 – 2006 showed hawthorn berry to be of significant benefit in symptom control and improved physiologic outcomes in the treatment of chronic heart failure [14]. Crucially, reported side effects were infrequent, mild and transient [14].
A 2003 study in 143 patients with NYHA class II chronic heart failure were given a hawthorn extract 3x daily or placebo. The active group showed a significant improvement in their heart failure condition (being able to sustain a higher effort during a bicycle exercise) [15].
Scientific literature suggests a normal daily dosage of 600-1,800 mg daily, split into two or three parts [12].
D-ribose
D-ribose is a sugar-like substance which we use to make the fuel for our mitochondria [16,17], ATP. Whilst normally produced withing the body, it can at times be depleted by certain cardiovascular diseases [17, 18, 19].
It has been shown that d-ribose may provide metabolic support by benefiting ATP production, and in turn lending a helping hand in the treatment of conditions like congestive heart failure [19].
A 2009 study on 16 patients with NYHA class III-IV heart failure given 5g / 3x daily of d-ribose for 8 weeks suggested it improved the ventilatory exercise status (all patients noted a significant improvement in ventilatory parameters at anaerobic threshold) [20].
There is emerging evidence suggesting that d-ribose can upregulate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [21], which has important implications for overall cardiovascular health.
Scientific References
[1] Vučić V, Grabež M, Trchounian A, Arsić A. Composition and potential health benefits of pomegranate: a review. CPD. 2019;25(16):1817-1827. [PubMed:31298147] [DOI:10.2174/1381612825666190708183941]
[2] Asgary S, Keshvari M, Sahebkar A, Sarrafzadegan N. Pomegranate consumption and blood pressure: a review. CPD. 2017;23(7):1042-1050. [PubMed:27748197] [DOI:10.2174/1381612822666161010103339
[3] Wang D, Özen C, Abu-Reidah IM, et al. Vasculoprotective effects of pomegranate(Punica granatum L.). Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:544. [PubMed:29881352] [DOI:10.3389/fphar.2018.00544]
[4] Fourati M, Smaoui S, Hlima HB, et al. Bioactive compounds and pharmacological potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum) seeds – a review. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2020;75(4):477-486. [PubMed:33040298] [DOI:10.1007/s11130-020-00863-7]
[5] Hou C, Zhang W, Li J, et al. Beneficial effects of pomegranate on lipid metabolism in metabolic disorders. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(16):1800773. [PubMed:30677224] [DOI:10.1002/mnfr.201800773]
[6] Teh HE, Yokoyama WH, German JB, McHugh TH, Pan Z. Hypocholesterolemic effects of expeller-pressed and solvent-extracted fruit seed oils and defatted pomegranate seed meals. J Agric Food Chem.2019;67(22):6150-6159. [PubMed:31117552] [DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.8b07186]
[7] Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(3):423-433. [PubMed:1518307] [DOI:10.1016/j.clnu.2003.10.002]
[8] Mohan M, Patankar P, Ghadi P, Kasture S. Cardioprotective potential of Punica granatum extract in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2010;1(1):32. [PubMed:21808588] [DOI:10.4103/0976-500X.64533]
[9] Mollazadeh H, Boroushaki MT, Soukhtanloo M, Afshari AR, Vahedi MM. Effects of pomegranate seed oil on oxidant/antioxidant balance in heart and kidney homogenates and mitochondria of diabetic rats and high glucose-treated H9c2 cell line. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2017;7(4):317-333 [PubMed:28884082]
[10] Cayır K, Karadeniz A, Simşek N, et al. Pomegranate seed extract attenuates chemotherapy-induced acute nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats. J Med Food. 2011;14(10):1254-1262. [PubMed:21548807] [DOI:10.1089/jmf.2010.0286]
[11] Orhan IE. Phytochemical and pharmacological activity profile of crataegus oxyacantha l. (Hawthorn)- a cardiotonic herb. CMC. 2019;25(37):4854-4865. [PubMed:27655074] [DOI:10.2174/0929867323666160919095519]
[12] Dahmer S, Scott E. Health effects of hawthorn. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(4):465-468. [PubMed:20148500]
[13] Cheng F, Jiang W, Xiong X, Chen J, Xiong Y, Li Y. Ethanol extract of chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) fruit reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in rats with doxorubicin-induced chronic heart failure. Med Sci Monit. 2020;26. [PubMed:33232307] [DOI:10.12659/MSM.926654]
[14] Guo R, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure. Cochrane Heart Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Published online January 23, 2008. [PubMed:18254076] [DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD005312.pub2]
[15] Degenring FH, Suter A, Weber M, Saller R. A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (Crataegisan®) in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure NYHA II. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(5):363-369. [PubMed:12833999] [DOI:10.1078/0944-7113-00312]
[16] Li S, Wang J, Xiao Y, et al. D‑ribose: Potential clinical applications in congestive heart failure and diabetes, and its complications (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2021;21(5):496. [PubMed:33791005] [DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.9927]
[17] Mahoney DE, Hiebert JB, Thimmesch A, et al. Understanding d-ribose and mitochondrial function. ABCMed. 2018;6(1):1. [PubMed:29780691] [DOI:10.7575/aiac.abcmed.v.6n.1p.1]
[18] Herrick J, St. Cyr J. Ribose in the heart. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2008;5(2):213-217. [PubMed:22432434] [DOI:10.1080/19390210802332752]
[19] Wagner S, Herrick J, Shecterle LM, St Cyr JA. D-ribose, a metabolic substrate for congestive heart failure. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 2009;24(2):59-60. [PubMed:19523159] [DOI:10.1111/j.1751-7117.2009.00033.x.]
[20] MacCarter D, Vijay N, Washam M, Shecterle L, Sierminski H, St Cyr JA. D-ribose aids advanced ischemic heart failure patients. Int J Cardiol. 2009;137(1):79-80. [PubMed:18674831] [DOI:10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.05.025]
[21] Dikici S, Bullock AJ, Yar M, Claeyssens F, MacNeil S. 2-deoxy-d-ribose (2ddr) upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) and stimulates angiogenesis. Microvasc Res. 2020;131:104035. [PubMed:32593538] [DOI:10.1016/j.mvr.2020.104035]
