What About Graviola?

Dr. Jerry McLaughlin, who has performed more research on the benefits of paw paw (Asimina triloba) than anyone else in the world, was directly responsible for over 25 years of studies at Purdue University into the anti-tumor properties of a group of plant chemicals that are know as annonaceous acetogenins, found in paw paw and a few related species, that interfere with the cellular production of energy. Dr. McLaughlin and his team of researchers  considered Graviola (Annona muricata, also known as Guanabana, Brazilian Cherimoya, or Brazilian paw paw) as an alternative to paw paw as a source for these annonaceous acetogenins. They rejected Graviola as a viable alternative because it contains much weaker compounds (on the order of hundreds of times weaker) than paw paw, and is much more difficult to standardize. In spite of Dr. McLaughlin"s published findings, many of the manufacturers of Graviola products suggest taking their Graviola in conjunction with the very supplements--Coenzyme Q-10, vitamin C, other antioxidants, and other supplements intended to increase the production of cellular energy (click here for contraindications)--that Dr. McLaughlin discovered inhibit the therapeutic action of Asimina triloba. (Source: Several personal discussions with Dr. McLaughlin in 2003.)