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>