Many years ago, fate led me to read Hulda Clark’s research and collation of folk medicines she termed “The Cure For All Diseases”.
At the time of becoming aware of Clark’s work, had already undertaken Herbal Colon Cleanses, however, it seemed very intense to follow her full protocol, which was crudely :
Colon Cleanse, Parasite Cleanse and Liver Flushes and a Kidney Cleansing protocol, with Electromagnetic Zapping (which I had become very conversant with, due to my proximity and personal work with Orgone, at that time).
In the year or two before getting married (2007/2008), I decided to try the Liver Flush (now utterly erroneously largely known as a Moritz flush). Which brought outstanding results, especially the third, where stones were passed before the oil/citrus portion, showing me that it was not simply the ejection of the oil taken that evening.
However, I never undertook in the Kidney cleanse, as sitting in a bath eating huge amounts of Watermelon seemed beyond my needs and just too far out (given the Liver cleanses, I don’t know why upon reflection).
Some years later I became aware of the Edgar Cayce readings on Watermelon seed tea, my mind immediately reflected back to the Clark protocol, and, this seemed a much gentler version of her Kidney Cleanse/Flush. At that stage, in my early 40’s I was experiencing some night time urgency, waking at 3am or so, desperate for the toilet. To my astonishment, literally two times taking the Watermelon Seed tea, the night urgency vanished and my body felt cleaner and more able to function as the Kidneys worked that little bit better.
This is something I now turn to, periodically, when any urgency occurs especially, though sadly the seeds are difficult to source cheaply in the UK, it is one of those “worth their weight in Gold” dynamics.
Here are some various studies, by scientists not entirely bonded to allopathy (Allopathic Medicine = Don’t change, we have some pills for that, merchants) :
Watermelon rind ethanol extract exhibits hepato-renal protection against lead induced-impaired antioxidant defenses in male Wistar rats
Lead acetate associated tissue injury has been linked to altered antioxidant defenses, hyperuricemia and inflammation. We hypothesized that watermelon rind extract, would ameliorate lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury.
Thirty Male Wistar rats received distilled water, lead acetate (Pb; 5 mg/kg) with or without watermelon rind extract (WM; 400 mg/kg; WM + Pb; 15 days of WM pretreatment); Pb + WM (15 days of WM post treatment) and simultaneous treatment (WM-Pb) for 30 days.
Lead toxicity led to elevated serum malondialdehyde, creatinine, urea, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, liver injury enzymes, as well as decreased body weight. Decreased serum levels of reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, total protein and glutathione peroxidase activity was also observed. However, these alterations were ameliorated by watermelon rind extract in lead acetate-treated rats.
Lead acetate associated tissue injury has been linked to altered antioxidant defenses, hyperuricemia and inflammation. We hypothesized that watermelon rind extract, would ameliorate lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury.
Thirty Male Wistar rats received distilled water, lead acetate (Pb; 5 mg/kg) with or without watermelon rind extract (WM; 400 mg/kg; WM + Pb; 15 days of WM pretreatment); Pb + WM (15 days of WM post treatment) and simultaneous treatment (WM-Pb) for 30 days.
Lead toxicity led to elevated serum malondialdehyde, creatinine, urea, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, liver injury enzymes, as well as decreased body weight. Decreased serum levels of reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, total protein and glutathione peroxidase activity was also observed. However, these alterations were ameliorated by watermelon rind extract in lead acetate-treated rats.
Watermelon rind ethanol extract protects against lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury through improved antioxidant defenses at least in part, via uric acid/nitric oxide-dependent pathway signifying the health benefits of this agricultural waste and a potential for waste recycling while limiting environmental pollution.
Watermelon rind ethanol extract protects against lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury through improved antioxidant defenses at least in part, via uric acid/nitric oxide-dependent pathway signifying the health benefits of this agricultural waste and a potential for waste recycling while limiting environmental pollution.
Citrullus lanatus `Sentinel’ (Watermelon) Extract Reduces Atherosclerosis in LDL Receptor Deficient Mice
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus or C. lanatus) has many potentially bioactive compounds including citrulline, which may influence atherosclerosis.
In this study, we determined the effects of C. lanatus, provided as an extract of the cultivar `sentinel’, on hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis in mice. Male LDL receptor deficient mice at 8 weeks old were given either C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract (2% vol/vol; n=10) or a mixture of matching carbohydrates (2% vol/vol; n=8) as the control in drinking water, while fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 12 weeks ad libitum.
Mice consuming C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract had significantly increased plasma citrulline concentrations. Systolic blood pressure was comparable between the two groups.
Consumption of C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract led to lower body weight and fat mass without influencing lean mass. There were no differences in food and water intake, and urine output between the two groups. C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract administration decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations that were attributed to reductions of intermediate/low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma concentrations of MCP-1 and IFN-γ were decreased and IL-10 increased in mice consuming C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract.
Intake of C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract resulted in reductions of atherosclerosis in both aortic arch and thoracic regions.
In conclusion, consumption of C. lanatus `sentinel’ extract led to reduced body weight gain, decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations, improved homeostasis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated development of atherosclerosis without affecting systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic mice.
(ChooseLife : Above study is pertinent to eating Watermelon whole, as per Hulda Clark’s studies, not Cayce and the seed tea)
Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Introduction
Watermelon is one of the commonly eaten fruit in most homes in Nigeria and has been used in the management of diabetes mellitus traditionally. This study was carried out to explore the antidiabetic potential of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Methods
Watermelon juice was used for the determination of in vitro parameters such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH), nitric oxide and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) as well as phytochemicals such as total phenol, total flavonoids. In vitro, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were also accessed using standard procedures. Diabetes was induced in the rats by a single intraperitoneal (I.P) injection of freshly prepared alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). The animals were randomly grouped into five groups of normal control, untreated diabetic control, diabetic rats administered 200 mg/kg body weight of metformin, diabetic rats administered 500 mg/kg body weight of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice and diabetic rats administered 1000 mg/kg body weight of watermelon juice. The rats were sacrificed on the 14th day of the experiment and various in vivo biochemical parameters were also evaluated in the serum and tissue homogenates of diabetic rats.
Results
The watermelon juice exhibits anti-oxidant properties and inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner. Added to this, the administration of different doses of the watermelon juice significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the fasting blood glucose level, serum lipid profile, glucose-6-phosphatase, lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammatory activities in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in antioxidant enzyme activities, hexokinase activity as well as glucose transporters (GLUT 2 and GLUT 4) levels in diabetic rats administered different doses of Citrullus lanatus.
Conclusion
Taken together, this study demonstrates that watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice exhibits its antidiabetic potential in experimental diabetic animal model via multiple pathways involving modulation of glucose transporters, anti-inflammatory activities as well as antioxidant defense system and inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. This suggests that the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice may have a useful clinical application in the management of diabetes mellitus and its metabolic complications if developed as adjuvant therapy.
Hepato- and neuro-protective effects of watermelon juice on acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rats
Chronic and acute alcohol exposure has been extensively reported to cause oxidative stress in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is known to possess various beneficial properties including; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerogenic effects. However, there is a lack of pertinent information on its importance in acute alcohol-induced hepato- and neuro-toxicity.
The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of watermelon juice on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the liver and brain of male Wistar rats. Rats were pre-treated with the watermelon juice at a dose of 4 ml/kg body weight for a period of fifteen days prior to a single dose of ethanol (50%; 12 ml/kg body weight). Ethanol treatment reduced body weight gain and significantly altered antioxidant status in the liver and brain. This is evidenced by the significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration; depletion in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and an increased catalase (CAT) activity in the brain and liver. There was no significant difference in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the liver and brain.
Oral administration of watermelon juice for fifteen (15) days prior to ethanol intoxication, significantly reduced the concentration of MDA in the liver and brain of rats. In addition, water melon pre-treatment increased the concentration of GSH and normalized catalase activity in both tissues in comparison to the ethanol control group. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenol, alkaloids, saponins, tannins and steroids in watermelon juice. Our findings indicate that watermelon juice demonstrate anti-oxidative effects in ethanol-induced oxidation in the liver and brain of rats; which could be associated with the plethora of antioxidant phyto-constituents present there-in.
Juice of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (wild watermelon) inhibits the entry and propagation of influenza viruses in vitro and in vivo
Vaccines and various anti‐influenza drugs are clinically used to prevent and treat influenza infections. However, with the antigenic mismatch of vaccines and the emergence of drug‐resistant viral strains, new approaches for treating influenza are warranted.
This study focused on natural foods as potential candidates for the development of new treatment options for influenza infections. The screening of plants from the Cucurbitaceae family revealed that the juice of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (wild watermelon) had the strongest ability to inhibit the replication of influenza virus in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells.
The results of a time‐of‐addition assay indicated that wild watermelon juice (WWMJ) inhibits the adsorption and late stages of viral replication, suggesting that WWMJ contains multiple constituents with effective anti‐influenza activity. A viral adsorption analysis showed that WWMJ reduces the amount of viral RNA in the cells at 37°C but not at 4°C, confirming that WWMJ inhibits viral entry into the host cells at 37°C.
These results suggest that a mechanism other than the inhibition of viral attachment is involved in the anti‐influenza action of WWMJ, which is perhaps responsible for a reduction in internalization of the virus.
Administration of WWMJ into the nasal mucosa of BALB/c mice infected with the A/PR/8/34 mouse‐adapted influenza virus was seen to significantly improve the survival rate.
The findings of this study, therefore, demonstrate the anti‐influenza potential of WWMJ in vitro and in vivo. (Part about developing drugs from this removed)
Effect of Citrullus colocynthis Extract on Glycated Hemoglobin Formation (In Vitro)
Objective
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is typically a disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It develops due to a lack of or loss associated with insulin and/or resistance to insulin. Regarding complications of chemical substance use, drugs with few complications and high-reliability tannins are needed. This study aimed to determine the effect and mechanism of action of Citrullus colocynthis extract on the formation of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Materials and Methods
A solution containing hemoglobin and glucose was incubated for 1, 2, 3, 4, 30, and 60 days by adding Citrullus colocynthis extract or glutathione. Quantitative measurement of HbA1c was performed using ion-exchange chromatography. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and two-way repeated measures test. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The Citrullus colocynthis extract in hyperglycemic conditions and with increasing time reduced the formation of HbA1c and thus inhibited the production of glycated proteins. By increasing the time and after initiation of reaction of extract concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1 g/dL), presently, there was a significant decrease in the formation of HbA1C compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). The decrease in glycation has been dose dependent.
Conclusion
Therefore, Citrullus colocynthis could directly reduce the formation of HbA1c.
Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims
Abstract
Presently, functional foods and nutraceuticals are gaining immense importance in the prevention of various maladies through dietary regimen module. Consumption of fruits and vegetables based diet has pursuit a range of bioactive components, especially phytochemicals targeting life threatening ailments.
In this context, lycopene is an extensively studied antioxidant potentially present in watermelon, tomato, pink guava etc. Watermelon is one of the unique sources having readily available cis-isomeric lycopene. The distinctive aroma of watermelon is imparted by medium- and short-chain fatty acids along with geranial, ß-ionone and neral.
Its consumption has been escalated owing to rich nutritional profile and allied health benefits. It is effective in reducing the extent of cancer insurgence, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and macular diseases. The structural characteristics, physiochemical properties and therapeutic effects of lycopene are the limelight of the manuscript.
However, further research investigations are still needed to address the health enhancing potential of watermelon lycopene.
Keywords: cancer; cardiovascular disorders; functional foods; lycopene; macular diseases; watermelon.
Watermelon and L-Citrulline in Cardio-Metabolic Health: Review of the Evidence 2000-2020
Abstract
Purpose of review: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) distinctively contains L-citrulline and L-arginine, precursors of nitric oxide (NO), along with polyphenols and carotenoids suggesting a role in cardio-metabolic health.
The goal of this paper is to review the preclinical and clinical trial evidence published from 2000 to 2020 to assess watermelon intake and L-citrulline, as a signature compound of watermelon, on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, and to identify future directions important for establishing dietary guidance and therapeutic recommendations actionable by health care professionals, patients, and the general public.
Recent findings: Watermelon and L-citrulline supplementation reduced blood pressure in human trials. Evidence for benefits in lipids/lipoprotein metabolism is emerging based on human literature and consistently reported in animal models.
A role for watermelon intake in body weight control, possibly through satiety mechanisms, warrants further research. Likewise, improved glucose homeostasis in chemically and diet-induced animal models of diabetes is apparent, though limited data are available in humans.
Emerging areas include brain and gut health indicated by NO bioavailability in all tissues, and evidence suggesting improvements in gut barrier function and altered microbial composition after watermelon intake that may influence metabolite pools and physiological function.
Watermelon fruit contains unique vaso- and metabolically-active compounds. Accumulating evidence supports regular intake for cardio-metabolic health. Future research to determine the amount and frequency of watermelon/citrulline intake for desired outcomes in different populations requires attention to advance preventative and therapeutic strategies for optimal health and disease risk reduction.
Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes
Abstract
l-Citrulline is an excellent candidate to reduce muscle soreness, and watermelon is a fruit rich in this amino acid.
This study investigated the potential of watermelon juice as a functional drink for athletes. An in vitro study of intestinal absorption of l-citrulline in Caco-2 cells was performed using unpasteurized (NW), pasteurized (80 °C for 40 s) watermelon juice (PW) and, as control, a standard of l-citrulline. l-citrulline bioavailability was greater when it was contained in a matrix of watermelon and when no heat treatment was applied.
In the in vivo experiment (maximum effort test in a cycloergometer), seven athletes were supplied with 500 mL of natural watermelon juice (1.17 g of l-citrulline), enriched watermelon juice (4.83 g of l-citrulline plus 1.17 g from watermelon), and placebo.
Both watermelon juices helped to reduce the recovery heart rate and muscle soreness after 24 h.
Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health
1. Introduction
The endothelium is crucial in controlling blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular diseases. In endothelial cells, adequate arginine (ARG) availability for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is essential to prevent arterial stiffening and hypertension. NO is a potent vasodilator and regulator of blood pressure and organ blood flow. The amino acid ARG is the only substrate for endothelial NO synthase to produce NO. However, in some conditions, such as aging, menopause, hypertension, and obesity, ARG becomes the substrate for an overactive arginase, leading to ARG deficiency and endothelial dysfunction. Previous studies have used ARG supplementation to improve vascular function with mixed results. Moreover, oral citrulline (CIT) can be a precursor of ARG and NO in the kidneys and endothelium, respectively. Given arginase does not catabolize CIT, oral CIT supplementation efficiently increases circulating ARG availability for NO synthesis [1]. Watermelon is a natural source of CIT and ARG, with the rind containing more CIT than the flesh [2]. CIT supplementation, synthetic or from watermelons, improved plasma ARG and NO levels, peripheral arterial stiffness, and blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults [1], demonstrating vascular protective effects. However, researchers know little about the CIT and watermelon supplementation effects on blood flow and endothelial function, with flow-mediated dilation (FMD) assessments. This Special Issue presents two articles on the impact of watermelon on vascular functions. Furthermore, two additional articles provide evidence of the benefits of synthetic CIT supplementation on FMD and skeletal muscle function in postmenopausal women.
2. The Watermelon Studies
In a randomized, double-blind crossover study, Fujie et al. [3] investigated the acute effects of wild watermelon-extracted juice ingestion on central and peripheral arterial stiffness and blood flow, and plasma NO levels in healthy young females. The results showed that increased NO bioavailability with wild watermelon juice improved lower-limb arterial stiffness (femoral-ankle pulse wave velocity) and blood flow of the posterior tibial artery. Interestingly, acute watermelon ingestion did not affect aortic stiffness and carotid artery blood flow, indicating that watermelon affects peripheral but not central arteries in young healthy women. These findings establish the framework for future studies of chronic watermelon intake as a preventative therapeutic strategy against peripheral vascular dysfunction in high-risk populations.
Volino-Souza et al. [4] reviewed the effects of watermelon ingestion on vascular health and proposed utilizing food science and technology to improve its efficacy. The authors extensively described CIT properties and mechanisms of vascular dysfunction. Additionally, they illustrated the effects of watermelon ingestion on the main components of vascular health, including endothelial function, arterial stiffness, aortic hemodynamics, blood pressure, and vascular biomarkers. The studies discussed by Volino-Souza et al. found that watermelon supplementation does not affect aortic stiffness but reduces peripheral arterial stiffness and indices of wave reflection in postmenopausal women. In contrast, recent studies failed to improve endothelial function (i.e., FMD) following watermelon juice supplementation in healthy normotensive adults. This ineffectiveness may be attributed to the participants’ good health. Moreover, the amount of CIT in watermelon products may be a limiting factor for beneficial vascular effects [4]. The authors proposed using food technologies such as microencapsulation to deliver higher CIT doses in a lower watermelon volume.
3. The Citrulline Studies
In this Special Issue, two original research manuscripts focused on the effects of CIT on endothelial function assessed by FMD in postmenopausal women with hypertension. Postmenopausal women experience reduced ARG availability which leads to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction precedes arterial stiffness and hypertension [5]. Maharaj et al. examined the results of 4 weeks of CIT on brachial artery FMD, plasma ARG levels, and aortic blood pressure [6]. The authors found that CIT supplementation improved these vascular parameters. In addition to its vascular effects, CIT supplementation with exercise training increased muscle mass or strength in older adults [7,8]. Previous studies did not use resistance training for exercise. However, Kang et al. [9] employed resistance training for investigating the effects of CIT supplementation on superficial femoral FMD, leg lean mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and leg muscle strength. They randomized participants to CIT or placebo for 8 weeks. For the first 4 weeks, they were on supplementation alone. Then, during the remaining 4 weeks, both groups performed slow-velocity low-intensity resistance training (SVLIRT) for the leg muscles. Kang et al. proved that CIT supplementation alone significantly increases FMD without improvements in leg muscle mass and strength. Interestingly, the combination of CIT and SVLIRT improved leg FMD, lean mass, and muscle strength compared to placebo and SVLIRT. These two manuscripts showed that CIT supplementation significantly improves the endothelial function of arm and leg arteries and, when combined with resistance training, has additive effects on the muscles of the trained limb. Future studies should evaluate the integration of CIT supplementation and resistance training to improve vascular and muscular function in populations with endothelial dysfunction and muscle abnormalities, such as sarcopenia, dynapenia, and exercise intolerance.
4. Conclusions
Endothelial dysfunction can impair arterial structure and function, leading to wall stiffness, atherosclerosis, and hypertension [5]. These pathophysiological conditions increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by restricting organ blood flow and damaging arterial and ventricular walls [5]. Dietary ARG precursors, such as watermelon and CIT, may significantly impact ameliorating vascular dysfunction, particularly in middle-aged and older adults with cardiometabolic risk factors or diseases. However, most clinical trials on the effects of CIT and watermelon were performed in healthy, overweight, obese, and hypertensive individuals. This Special Issue highlights the potential vascular and muscular benefits of watermelon, CIT, or CIT combined with resistance training in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors or diseases.
Watermelon extract reduces blood pressure but does not change sympathovagal balance in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that watermelon extract reduces blood pressure through vasodilation. However, those studies have not verified whether sympathetic nervous activity is influenced by watermelon extract.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with watermelon extract for 6 weeks on blood pressure and sympathovagal balance of prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals.
Forty volunteers participated in a randomized, double-blind, experimental and placebo-controlled study. They consumed 6 g of watermelon extract daily (n = 20; age 48.7 ± 1.9 years, 10 men) or a placebo (n = 20; age 47.4 ± 1.2 years, 11 men) for 6 weeks. Blood pressure and cardiac autonomic modulation were measured.
Watermelon extract promoted a significant reduction in systolic (137.8 ± 3.9 to 126.0 ± 4.0 mmHg, p < 0.0001) and diastolic (79.2 ± 2.2 to 72.3 ± 2.0 mmHg, p < 0.001) blood pressure, but showed no differences compared to the placebo group. This significant reduction in blood pressure occurred without a significant change in sympathovagal balance from the beginning (1.7 ± 0.1) to the end of the study (1.7 ± 0.4).
In conclusion, supplementation with watermelon extract reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals, but does not alter the cardiac autonomic modulation of these individuals.
Chooselife : Links to studies in all headers. Link to Pubmed studies of Watermelon, results page = Here
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