Yucca Saponins

Yucca Saponins are vital components of the “soap weed” which offers a wide range of health benefits. Saponins defined as – natural detergents. The saponin molecule is a surfactant. Surfactants are a substance which reduces the surface tension of a liquid. Yucca saponins act as both a fat-soluble and water-soluble natural detergent – thus the name “soap weed.” They are also known for their antibiotic, anti-arthritic, anti-protozoal, and cholesterol lowering properties.

The Yucca plant is a rich source of steroidal saponins. Steroidal defined as – compounds that are closely related in structure to steroids. Saponins are considered steroidal due to them having an impact on the levels of the male hormone testosterone, which increases muscle mass, fat burning, and libido.

The Amazing Properties of Yucca Saponins in Soap Weed

Surfactants

As a surfactant, they are able to reduce the risk of heart attacks, help vaccines work better, and assist in controlling blood clots.

Cancer                                                 

Saponins have been shown to increase the destruction (cytotoxicity) of cancer cells. Cytotoxic defined as – a substance which results in damaging or destroying a cell.

Cholesterol

It has been demonstrated for many years that saponins reduce blood cholesterol levels. Dietary yucca extracts can lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Antiprotozoal

Saponins provide anti-protozoal benefits.
Antiprotozoal defined as – a medicinal drug used to fight health issues caused by protozoa.
Protozoa defined as – a single-celled organism, a parasitic, which may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Antiprotozoal activity defined as – something that treats, prevents, or alleviates the symptoms by destroying the protozoa or inhibits their ability to reproduce.

Gastrointestinal

Protozoal symptoms occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Saponins slow food-deterioration in the gastrointestinal tract thus slowing protozoa activity. Studies have found that natural yucca saponins are as effective as synthetic drugs designed to fight gastrointestinal parasites.

Anti-giardial

Saponins provide anti-giardial effects. Giardia defined as – an infection causing stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Yucca saponins are effective against parasitic infections affecting the digestive system.

Arthritis

Intestinal protozoa may also play role in joint inflammation and arthritis. Therefore, yucca saponins may have anti-arthritic properties.

Yucca products have been used for many years for reputed anti-arthritic benefits. Historically by Native Americans and more recently by the nutraceutical industry.

Reports of anti-arthritic effects of yucca have led to the widespread use of yucca products for treatment and prevention of arthritis not only in humans, but also in horses and dogs. Whole yucca plant powder in tablet form is a common nutraceutical.

The affects between arthritis and food is widely known. Oxidants promote inflammatory diseases. Antioxidants protect against them. Yucca polyphenols are potent antioxidants.

There is an abundance of clinical observation regarding the frequency of intestine inflammation and arthritis. Yucca contains the anti-inflammatory polyphenolics resveratrol and yuccaols. Therefore, yucca could provide beneficial effects to those who suffer from arthritis.

Yucca as an arthritis treatment can be accepted when understanding the protozoal causes of arthritis and yucca saponins anti-protozoal properties.

Free Radicals are an important factor in the development of arthritis. Free radicals are defined as – organic molecules that bond to other molecules causing tissue damage, aging, and may be responsible for some diseases. One source of free radicals is nitric oxide. Yucca polyphenols can restrain nitric oxide and thus have an affect on the cause of arthritis.

A number of reports and studies exist that reveal the potency of saponins from yucca plants.

Saponins have been studied and the effectiveness of them have been reported on numerous times.