Testimonials: Inflammation

Author: Dr. Kenneth J. F.
For thousand of years, the people of Southeast Asia have eagerly anticipated the time when a special fruit known as the mangosteen would come to the market. Its delicious taste and medicinal qualities not only put dessert on the table, but also treated people with such ailments as dysentery, infections, inflammation and pain to mention a few. Twice a year, the open-air markets buzz with anticipation for this staple of the local people. The fruit of the mangosteen is eaten, and the outer rind or skin of the fruit is used as a natural remedy. Garcinia mangostana—mangosteen—has been carefully studied since the early 1970s, primarily for the phytochemicals in it, which are known as xanthones. Xanthones are biologically active substances that act as the healing agents of this incredible fruit. The musculo-skeletal benefits of the mangosteen fruit have been of particular interest to me. All musculo-skeletal conditions have one thing in common––inflammation. The inflammatory process comes at a time when tissues are going through the natural process of disrepair. Cells have been damaged, and the end result of that damage is the production of hormone-like molecules called prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. The intermediate of this process is an enzyme called COX-2. The COX-2 enzyme is what actually starts the inflammation, swelling and pain. The big push in pharmaceutical companies has been to find a COX-2 inhibitor that would stop the common complaints of inflammation and pain without the uncomfortable gastric side effects.

In 1981, while surfing in Hawaii, I sustained a back injury. At the time, I was thrown to the bottom of the surf with such force that it bent my entire body backward, breaking my back in four areas. Over the last 20 years through chiropractic care, I have been able to lead a fairly normal life. However, the pain has increased because spurring has advanced and degeneration has occurred in certain areas of the spine. Recently I learned about mangosteen juice. I was given an ounce of the juice, and that was the beginning of a major change in my health, my life and my career. I have implemented this product in my clinic and recommended its use to my patients, all of whom have yielded incredible results. Never have I encountered a natural fruit so powerful that it could do the job of so many other herbs. Because of the amazing outcomes I have had, which I believe are because of mangosteen, I am now prescription free and virtually pain free for the first time in 21 years. The research I have performed on this product has led me to believe that it can turn around chronic conditions of inflammation in the cells of the body. I also believe that mangosteen is the perfect ailment preventative, and in the chiropractic world, prevention is the key goal in health care.

Dr. Kenneth J. F. is a board-certified chiropractic physician and author.

Author: Dr. Sam W.
Life will present all of us with a variety of challenges. Many of those health challenges will be a direct result from inflammatory disease processes. We cannot avoid them all. We will all experience inflammation as the result of trauma, infections, over exercise, sport injuries and life in general. Inflammation is important in helping our bodies to heal. It can also cause a great deal of pain and discomfort or go wildly out of control. In the last decade, independent researchers all over the world studying different chronic diseases linked to aging have all come to the same basic conclusion—low-level chronic inflammation plays a central role in many disease processes. Much of this low-level inflammation is the result of what is called the COX-2 enzyme. While inflammation cannot be linked to all disease (at least not at this point in time), we do know it is an underlying factor of arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, many types of cancers and a long list of other diseases. In fact, Claudio Franceschi, the scientific director at the Italian National Research Center on Aging, said, “Inflammation is probably the background and driving force behind all major age-related diseases."

As more and more research comes forth that shows inflammation’s link to deadly chronic diseases, there has also been a great deal of research to find ways to safely block or stop the inflammation process that has gone astray within the body. Naturally, people hope for a medicine that is safe and reliable. While science has come up with some useful products in relation to inflammation, to date all of them have a possibility of serious side effects.

During the last ten years, while scientists have been painstakingly seeking the perfect anti-inflammatory medicine, Southeastern Asians had a natural answer hanging right above their heads. For centuries, the people in many areas of Southeast Asia have been using a delicious fruit to maintain their health and cure their ailments. This fruit is called mangosteen. Traditional Asian healers believed the mangosteen fruit had the power to stop infection, fight cancer and bolster energy. After quite a bit of research on the fruit, modern scientists are in close agreement. They’ve found through the fruit’s anti-inflammatory abilities, it is very helpful in preventing and possibly even stopping a wide range of diseases from skin infections and diabetes to Alzheimer’s disease and uterine cancer. Mangosteen, more than any other fruit that we are aware of, possesses the capabilities to alter the course of inflammation.

How does this natural product work? Mangosteen is a proven COX-2 inhibitor. It has powerful xanthones that have strong healing qualities. Xanthones are phytochemicals, meaning they are natural chemicals that can only be found in fruits and vegetables, not from any animal source. Xanthones have been widely studied for their medicinal properties. So far they have demonstrated a great deal of pharmaceutical properties like supporting a microbiological balance, sustaining the immune system, improving joint flexibility as well as supporting positive mental health. I want you to know that I recognize the validity in all forms of medicines. I am board-qualified in radiology and orthopedics. On the other hand, I am also certified in acupuncture. My N.M.D. allows me to prescribe conventional medication, yet I am well versed in the natural alternatives. The natural alternatives I do employ are scientifically based and well researched, such as mangosteen. In my practice, I find there are places for both the conventional and the alternative in medicine. Conventional medicine stimulates some physical response (which is the desired effect) as well as depresses the immune system in other areas (which is the non-desired effect). When you use a natural product such as mangosteen, you are feeding the human body (which is composed of organic compounds) more organic compounds. In other words, you are giving the body more of what it already is. Therein is the benefit of alternative health products.

Author: James W.
In June of 2003 I had triple bypass surgery. In August of 2004 I had surgery to replace several wires in my chest that had broken. Another major surgery and two minor surgeries were performed over 8 months. I couldn't do much at all without my chest hurting so bad that I would have to take pain medication. My doctor told me that the problem was inflammation and prescribed what he said was a powerful anti-inflammatory. It didn't work. After taking the Mangosteen juice I was pain free in my chest for the first time since my bypass surgery. I also had a lot more energy. My wife and daughter now drink Mangosteen juice as well as a lot of my friends.

Author: Mike R.
As a former baseball player in the K.C. Royals organization, my chronic aches and pains were something my doctor told me I had to "learn to live with." The prescription medications he'd been giving me were taking their toll on my liver. He told me if I continued taking prescription anti-inflammatory drugs I could expect liver disease in the future. I stopped immediately and the pains continued to roar like a lion. I'm only 60 years old but felt 90 at times. I had severe acid reflux disease, massive year-long allergies, and for over 30 years both shoulders screaming with pain all day long. Then one day God smiled on me. My best friend is a retired FBI agent who had discovered Mangosteen juice. His diabetes numbers were in the high 300s and after 3 weeks plummeted to 100. He introduced me to the mangosteen and within 36 hours my chronic pain was gone! My acid reflux stopped, my allergies disappeared and I felt 30 again! I must be honest and tell you, when I fail to take my mangosteen regularly ALL the pain comes back as well as the allergies. I've been drinking mangosteen for six months and one side-benefit is I have lost 18 pounds without changing one thing in my diet. There is NO WAY you will ever find me without my Mangosteen!