PKD DIET

Saffron

Enjoy saffron

What does saffron do?

Saffron eases liver pains from PLD. It increases the metabolism of estrogen throughout the liver. Saffron helps maintain the integrity of the walls of the blood vessels so they do not burst as easily. Saffron stimulates the body to lay down blood vessels around any blockage or bursting. Cysts will bleed if blood pressure is elevated; or if the kidneys or the liver is enlarged with numerous cysts; or if there is some trauma to cystic organs.

Some Saffron Articles

In 1999, Spanish scientists reported that crocin, one of the carotenoids isolated from saffron, increased the survival time and decreased the growth of colon cancer in female rats, without, however, having any significant effects on the tumors in male animals.

Indian authors reported that giving saffron by mouth to lab animals significantly slowed the growth of two different kinds of cancer cells (DLA and S-180). The authors suggested that the increased levels of carotenes and Vitamin A may have accounted for this anticancer effect.

Saffron is derived from the Arabic word za'faran meaning yellow. It has been used as an anti-depressant. Saffron extracts have been shown to significantly prolong (almost by three-fold-the) life spans of mice undergoing experimental chemotherapy with the toxic anticancer drug, cisplatin.

When saffron is combined with two other substances, amino acid cysteine and the antioxidant vitamin E, it had a protective effect against the toxicity of cisplatin. Together, these three protective agents significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and blood glucose levels, as well as reduced many other harmful chemical changes in the body (el Daly, 1998)

Collecting Saffron

Saffron is collected from Crocus sativus, originated in the Middle Eastern region of the Eurasian continent, from Greece to Persia (Iran). The plant does not propagate by seeds; the underground portion, corms (also called bulbs), divide to produce new plants. Flowers emerge in autumn; the outstanding feature of the lilac to mauve colored flower is its three stigmas 25-30 mm long, which droop over the petals: that is what is collected as saffron. There are also three yellow stamens, which lack the active compounds and are not collected. The stigma is attached to a style, which has little of the active components and is only included with the lower grades of saffron. A daily tea infusion is helpful for relieving liver pain.

Where To Purchase Saffron?

Through the internet at Vanilla Saffron Imports in San Francisco, California. This is a site that imports excellent saffron from Iran or Spain it supplies most restaurants and their chefs with saffron. One can purchase a half ounce in a tin, This half ounce lasts about 2-3 months. 1 ounce = 28.3495231 grams. One can also try amazon and ebay.

We are  sharing our experiences with PKD/PLD Diet, an adjunct diet envisioning it complementing a physician's prescribed medical therapy. Consider testing this with your doctor's prior knowledge, who can  adjust it according to your own uniqueness by adding it to your current  treatment.

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