According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 34 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, and 88 million people have elevated blood sugar levels that would qualify as prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for up to 95 percent of all diabetes cases, and it may not always present itself with obvious symptoms. So, getting blood sugar levels tested and intervening before levels get out of hand is important.

Aside from diet and lifestyle adjustments – which are absolutely critical – punicic acid from pomegranate seed oil may provide additional support.

Punicic acid, also considered an omega-5 fatty acid, activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-y), which enhances the body’s ability to metabolize glucose. It also inhibits inflammatory cytokines and protects blood vessels, nerves, and overall health by fighting free radical damage.

If you are concerned about your blood sugar numbers creeping upward, consider adding a pomegranate seed oil extract to your daily regimen (one that includes healthy whole foods and regular exercise). Look for a supplement that contains both the omega-5 punicic acid (preferably a supercritical CO2 extract that preserves the nutrient’s best qualities) plus an extract containing polyphenols from the fruit. It is a convenient way to stop type 2 diabetes from gaining a hold in your life.

Abstract:

Khajebishak Y, Payahoo L, Alivand M, Alipour B. Punicic acid: A potential compound of pomegranate seed oil in Type 2 diabetes mellitus management. J Cell Physiol. 2019 Mar;234(3):2112-2120. doi: 10.1002/jcp.27556. Epub 2018 Oct 14. PMID: 30317607.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the most common form of the disease, has become a serious threat to public health and is a growing burden on global economies. Due to the unexpected adverse effects of antidiabetic medicines, the use of nutraceuticals as a complementary therapy has drawn extensive attention by investigators. In this issue, a novel nutraceutical, Punicic acid (PA)-the main ingredient of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) that has potential therapeutic effects in T2DM-has been investigated. PA is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, and unlike synthetic ligands, such as thiazolidinediones, it has no side effects. PA exerts antidiabetic effects via various mechanisms, such as reducing inflammatory cytokines, modulating glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant properties. In this review, we discussed the potential therapeutic effects of PSO and PA and represented the related mechanisms involved in the management of T2DM.