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Better Nutrition September 2019

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A study of 30 people with moderately<br />

elevated blood pressure tested 75 mg<br />

of a celery seed extract twice daily<br />

(once in the morning and again in the<br />

evening). Blood pressure began to drop<br />

after a few weeks of supplementation,<br />

and at the end of six weeks, it had fallen,<br />

on average, from 139/85 to 131/76.<br />

Celery and its seeds contain<br />

phthalides, a specific category of<br />

plant nutrients. Although other plants<br />

also contain phthalides, the<br />

unique composition of these<br />

compounds in celery<br />

produces its health<br />

benefits. One<br />

phthalide, 3nB<br />

(short for 3-nbutylphthalide),<br />

is<br />

found only in celery,<br />

and is believed to be<br />

the key component that<br />

lowers blood pressure.<br />

The blood-pressure study<br />

referenced above used an extract<br />

standardized to contain 85-percent 3nB.<br />

Balancing Inflammation<br />

to Relieve Pain<br />

Temporary inflammation is the<br />

body’s natural reaction to injury—<br />

when you cut a finger, the redness<br />

around it means your body is<br />

working to heal the cut. But chronic<br />

inflammation is a key component of<br />

chronic pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs<br />

used to treat arthritis and other pain<br />

suppress some of the production of<br />

inflammation in a way that leads to<br />

side effects and health risks, but<br />

celery works in different manner.<br />

Rather than blocking internal<br />

processes, celery seed extract restores<br />

balance to the body’s prostaglandins,<br />

natural chemicals that influence<br />

inflammation. By balancing, rather than<br />

blocking natural processes, the extract<br />

can bring relief without harmful side<br />

effects. In fact, a study of 70 people<br />

suffering from arthritis pain tested<br />

75 mg of a celery seed extract for three<br />

Did You<br />

Know?<br />

A study of 70 people<br />

suffering from arthritis pain<br />

found that 75 mg of a celery<br />

seed extract taken for three<br />

weeks reduced pain and<br />

improved flexibility<br />

of joints.<br />

weeks and found that the<br />

extract reduced pain and<br />

improved flexibility of joints.<br />

Easing Gout & Relieving Ulcers<br />

Many people have experienced relief<br />

from gout by taking celery seed<br />

extract. Gout can develop on its own<br />

or can be triggered by diuretic drugs<br />

that lower blood pressure, because the<br />

drugs raise levels of uric acid. When<br />

uric acid forms crystals, they cause<br />

severe pain, often in the big toe.<br />

While celery seed extract is a<br />

diuretic, it has the opposite effect<br />

on uric acid. Lab analyses of celery<br />

seed have found that it contains<br />

luteolin, a substance that reduces<br />

unhealthy levels of uric acid by<br />

blocking an enzyme that contributes<br />

to its overproduction.<br />

Celery seed is also an ancient<br />

remedy for poor digestion, and more<br />

recent examinations of its components<br />

have found that it can help prevent or<br />

relieve stomach ulcers. Lab analyses<br />

show that it inhibits H. pylori bacteria,<br />

which can cause ulcers in the lining<br />

of the stomach.<br />

How to Use Celery Seed Extract<br />

Celery seed extract is available as<br />

an individual supplement and is also<br />

found in formulas. For extracts standardized<br />

to contain 85% 3nB—noted<br />

in the Supplements Facts—the usual<br />

dose is 75–150 mg, twice daily. For<br />

other extracts, follow product directions.<br />

To relieve gout, some people take much<br />

higher doses, such as 500 mg or 1,200<br />

mg daily. It usually needs to be taken on<br />

an ongoing basis to prevent gout from<br />

recurring. Some formulas combine celery<br />

seed with tart cherry extract, which also<br />

reduces uric acid and helps relieve gout<br />

and other types of pain.<br />

product<br />

PICKS<br />

Natural<br />

Factors<br />

Celery<br />

Seed<br />

Extract<br />

Solaray<br />

Tart Cherry<br />

& Celery<br />

Seed<br />

Herb Pharm<br />

Celery Seed<br />

Extract<br />

Contributing editor Vera Tweed has been researching and writing about supplements, holistic nutrition, fitness, and other aspects of healthy living since 1997. She is the author of<br />

several books, including Hormone Harmony: How to Balance Insulin, Cortisol, Thyroid, Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone to Live Your Best Life.<br />

18 • SEPTEMBER <strong>2019</strong>

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