Ellagic Acid

What is Ellagic Acid? Well, scientifically speaking, Ellagic Acid is formed in raspberries when polymers of gallic acid and hexahydroxydipenoyl (HHDP) are linked to glucose molecules to form compounds of ellagitannins. When two gallic acid groups become linked side by side within a tannin molecule, a HHDP group is formed. When the HHDP group is then bioactively separated from the tannin molecule, it spontaneously rearranges itself into subunits we call Ellagic Acid.

Ellagic acid is a type of phytochemical called a polyphenol, or plant cholesterol. It is released from the digestion of tannins contained in certain fruits and nuts. These water-soluble tannins are called ellagitannins, which have demonstrated anti carcinogenic and antimutagenic activity by inhibiting the multi-stage pathways. Ellagic acid is released from the ellagitannins during the digestive process. Several studies indicate that this ability occurs by:

1) Neutralizing carcinogens so that they cannot bind to the cellular DNA located in nucleus.
2) Activates the liver detoxification systems so that mutagens and carcinogens are quickly excreted.
3) Scavenges and expels dangerous highly reactive oxygen molecules free radicals.
4) Induces cells to undergo apoptosis or natural cell death.
5) Stimulates the immune system for the destruction of dangerous cells.

Ellagic acid has been found to promote healthy brain function and mental clarity, healthy vision, cardiovascular health, healthy skin, urinary tract health, and healthy blood sugar levels.

Ellagic Acid, can nourish, balance, protect, and provide the body with the building blocks necessary for growth, repair, vitality, and longevity.

Ellagic Acid is found in red raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, walnuts, pecans, pomegranates, and cranberries. However, red raspberries have been found to have up to six times the amount of Ellagic Acid available compared to what is contained in other fruits and foods tested. Ellagic Acid is present in all parts of the raspberry, but it is most highly concentrated in the seed. It was also found that Ellagic Acid is not changed, nor its potency weakened, by freezing, drying, or processing into a powder.

Dr. Nixon and other investigators and researchers, both in the United States and in Europe, found that daily consumption of Ellagic Acid from red raspberries: Activate powerful detoxifying enzymes in the liver; This promotes the cleansing of the liver and the protection and regeneration of injured liver cells; Prevents the binding of carcinogens to the DNA of cells; Serves as a powerful antioxidant, which inhibits or destroys oxygen free radicals; May cause already established cells to undergo programmed normal cell death (apoptosis); Stimulates the immune system to destroy abnormal cells.

Dieticians have long stressed the importance of the consumption of fruits and vegetables for general health and wellbeing, but now these food items are being recognized as even greater contributors to human health. Ellagic acid binds to DNA and acts as a shield, protecting DNA from mutagens and increases the expression of the enzyme p21, which arrests cell division of cells that have DNA damage.

Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic constituent in certain fruits and nuts. Ellagic acid from red raspberries has proven as an effective antimutagen and anticarcinogen as well. Antioxidants need to be given in forms that have a balanced REDOX potential and accessibility to body tissues. ELLAGIC ACID is a powerful antioxidant derived from raspberries and has the ability to support cell structures.

  • Ellagic acid and elagitannins are powerful antioxidants from raspberries.
  • Ellagic acid has special effects on DNA replication and cell division.
  • Presented in a balanced manner with antioxidants of different REDOX value, with lipophilic and hydrophilic properties to access tissues of the body.
  • Ellagic acid has been found to occur naturally in 46 different foods, with the red raspberry having been identified as having the highest natural content.

Research, which began many years ago, has concluded that ellagic acid, derived from a compound called ellagitannins, is a very powerful substance. The highest concentration of ellagitannins are found in raspberry seeds. One study showed that ellagic acid was able to induce the production of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (QR), a major detoxification enzyme. Ellagic acid acts as a free radical scavenger to "bind" irritant-causing chemicals, making them inactive. It inhibits the ability of other chemicals to cause mutations in bacteria. Ellagic acid stimulates the activity of various isoforms of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase that supports healthy cell growth.

Ellagic Acid from raspberry seed ellagitannins is the most powerful and complete polyphenolic, phytoestrogen, antioxidant material yet discovered. These plant based compounds, or phytoestrogens, when absorbed, provide many beneficial effects including stimulation of collagen formation.

Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound found in plants in the form of hydrolyzable tannins called ellagitannins. Ellagitannins are esters of glucose with hexahydroxydiphenic acid; when hydrolyzed, they yield Ellagic acid, the dilactone of hexahydroxydiphenic acid. Ellagic acid is a very stable compound and is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal system in mammals, including humans.

Berries are the most common food sources of Ellagic acid. The relative amount of Ellagic acid in average number of micrograms per gram of dry weight fruit extract is highest in red raspberries at 1500 mcg, followed by strawberries at 630 mcg, walnuts at 590 mcg, pecans at 330 mcg, and cranberries at 120 mcg. Torre, et al., performed a quantitative evaluation of red raspberries that was published in the Journal of Food Sciences in 1977:

Ellagic acid promotes carcinogen detoxification by stimulating the activity of various isoforms of the enzyme glutathione-S- transferase.

Ellagic acid has other beneficial effects on human health that take advantage of its separate but important anti-oxidant potential. Again, to understand this important function we must have a basic understanding of what anti-oxidants are and how they protect us.

The very act of breathing in oxygen creates within living systems very reactive and damaging molecules which are combinations of oxygen and hydrogen. These reactive species are catalyzed (produced) by certain metals that are located near our DNA molecules. These reactive species will seek to neutralize their imbalanced electrical by attempting to combine with nearby healthy molecules creating damage. Since the relative species are in close proximity to DNA molecules our genes can become a likely target resulting in DNA damage (mutations). It is known that ellagic acid can form adducts (gentle wrapping of our DNA molecules) with our genes and itself become a target for the reactive species and thus protecting the DNA. This protection of necessary molecules could be termed anti-oxidant potential.
Dietary supplements are not to be used to prevent or treat any disease. The Statements on this web page have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any information provided on this website is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Individuals are advised not to self-medicate in the presence of significant illness. Ingredients in supplements are not drugs and may not be foods.
Back