In the third grade I was told I could write a
paper on any topic for an English homework assignment. I chose the
subject of scurvy as it affected sailors who were away at sea for long
periods of time and the resulting discovery of Vitamin C as its cure. I
remember the paper well for I was literally transcended from ignorance
to a place of awe at the intricacies of the human body and its response
to nutrients.
Today, antioxidants are the word on the street.
They are used to boost energy (forget caffeine - this stuff rocks!) and
these antioxidants fight infection, and address a whole range of health
issues.
Before XanGo, Tahitian Noni, Fruta Vida, (containing,
respectively, mangosteen, goji, and acai) and now Amigo Juice (a
marriage of all three super foods), we had Vitamin C, E, and A. For many
of us, it was all about drinking that cup of orange juice at breakfast
or taking a vitamin supplement. But today, we are not talking about just
a punch but a real blow to sickness and disease, taking the form of
antioxidant rich health beverages that many consumers swear by in their
quest for wellness.
Living in today's very toxic world,
antioxidants deserve a special place in the area of nutritional
supplements and are certainly worth examining closer to see what they
are all about and learn how we can implement them into our daily
routine.
Quite simply put, at the molecular and cellular levels,
antioxidants serve to deactivate certain particles called free radicals.
In humans, free radicals usually come in the form of O2, the oxygen
molecule. The oxygen molecule desires to be oxidized, and this oxidation
process can sometimes be carcinogenic. Free radicals are the natural
by-products of many processes within and among cells. They are also
created by exposure to various environmental factors, tobacco smoke and
radiation. Of course, this certainly includes air quality and all the
junk we put into our bodies that our immune system is forced to combat.
If
allowed to run amok, these free radicals can cause damage to cell
walls, cell structures, and genetic material within the cell. They are
the bully on the playground and need to be dealt a firm hand for the
resulting damage can eventually lead to disease and ultimately death.
Antioxidants
play a key role in cleaning up the destruction caused by these free
radicals. They clean house before free radicals get a chance to harm the
body. Researchers have determined that antioxidants are useful in the
prevention of carcinogenic effects of oxidation.
To that end, a
variety of health companies, most notably in the form of multi-level
marketing, have cropped up offering antioxidant rich health drinks, as
captured in the pericarp, hull, pulp, rind, basically the whole fruit,
the kitchen and its sink, ground and mixed and served up in tasty 1 oz.
servings. Not to mention the mangosteen fruit has introduced an entirely
new classification of antioxidants, called Xanthones with professed
health benefits too numerous to list, many years of research, and
centuries of positive use.
These antioxidant rich drinks created
three distinct camps. One decided the mangosteen is their drink of
choice, goji has its determined followers, and there is also acai
(pronounced ah-sigh-ee). It became difficult to navigate through hype
and look for substance. According to numerous reports by customers, they
all have their benefits.
However, in March of this year, one
product was introduced, integrating all three important fruits into one
single product in a dried formula, omitting any need for pasteurization,
cutting back on the cost of shipping, and providing the most bang for
the buck. Most importantly, each of the three super foods had very
distinct benefits. Now we have a marriage of all three fruits in one
drink in Amigo Juice.
THE BIG THREE SUPER FOODS
The following is a look at the three fruits: acai, mangosteen, and goji.
ACAI:
The
Acai berry, or Acai Fruit grows on majestic palm trees in the Amazon
Rainforest and looks like a purple marble or grape. Acai contains high
levels of Antioxidants, Omega Fatty Acids (healthy fats), Iron, Amino
Acids, Fiber, and many other vitamins and minerals. The people living in
the Amazon region in Northern Brazil, have consumed Acai for hundreds
of years and its healing and sustaining powers are legendary.
Acai
Berry is known to harness the following properties: Antioxidant,
Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic, Cardiovascular System.
Acai berries contain very high amounts of essential fatty acids and
omegas proven to lower LDL and maintain HDL cholesterol levels. They
also contain a remarkable concentration of antioxidants to help combat
premature aging.
Acai Berry is a dense source of a particular
class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. The ORAC value of Acai Berry is
higher than any other edible berry in the world. Acai Berry is also an
excellent source of dietary fiber. Acai is extremely rich in organic
vegetable protein which does not generate cholesterol during its
digestion and is more easily processed and transported to your muscles
than animal protein (such as what is found in milk or meat).
Besides
its outstanding content of protein and unsaturated lipids, Acai is also
rich in carbohydrates, providing your body with the necessary energy
while working or practicing any kind of sport.
There is also an
amazingly high concentration of antioxidants useful in combating
premature aging. The proanthocyanidine contents in Acai Berries contain
10 to 30 times the anthocyanins (these are the purple colored
antioxidants) of red wine per volume. Although the French consume a high
fat diet, they have a low incidence of cardiovascular disease compared
to the western countries. They contribute this factor to their
consumption of red wine. Acai Berries can help promote a healthier
cardiovascular system and digestive tract, because of its synergy of
monounsaturated fats (these are the healthy fats), dietary fiber, and
phytosterols.
They provide the body with an excellent source of
fiber. Fiber promotes a healthy digestive system. Research studies
suggest soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol. The insoluble
fiber may help to reduce the risk of developing certain types of
cancers. Essential amino acid complex along with trace minerals, which
are vital for proper muscle contraction and regeneration.<
MANGOSTEEN:
The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical
evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the
Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The edible fruit is
deep reddish purple when ripe. In Asia, the mangosteen fruit is known as
the "Queen of Fruits." The outer shell of the fruit (pericarp) is
rather hard, typically 4-6 cm in diameter, resembling a spherical, black
cartoon bomb.
Health benefits:
Mangosteen has compounds
with antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-tumor activity.
Laboratory testing thus far indicates that extracts of mangosteen have
activity against several cancer cell lines including breast, liver, and
leukemia. Mangosteen also appears to have anti-histamine and
anti-inflammatory properties. Most notably, the mangosteen provides
powerful anti-inflammatory benefits which play an important role in
numerous health conditions.
For hundreds of years, the people of
Southeast Asia have used the mangosteen, especially the rind, to ward
off and treat infections, reduce pain or control fever, and treat
various other ailments.
Most of the studies with mangosteen have
focused on the pericarp, or the dark, woody rind as opposed to the fruit
inside the woody rind. The pericarp contains the active xanthone
compounds. The fruit itself probably has some beneficial compounds but
the compounds within the mangosteen fruit have not been studied as well
as the mangosteen rind.
Several compounds in mangosteen appear to
be active, particularly xanthones. Some of these xanthones include
mangostin, mangostenol, mangostenone A, mangostenone B,
trapezifolixanthone, tovophyllin B, alpha- and beta-mangostins,
garcinone B, mangostinone, mangostanol, and the flavonoid epicatechin.
There are numerous studies available for review at www.pubmed.com. Just enter the word "mangosteen" to access a list.
GOJI
Goji
berries have the highest concentration of beta-carotene among all foods
on earth. Beta-carotene can be transformed into vitamin A under the
influence of human liver enzymes. Therefore, vitamin A ultimately plays a
major influence in Lycium's actions. Lycium's function on the eyes is
related to this factor.
Lycium's vitamin B1 and B2 contents are
significant and the vitamin C content of freeze-dried Lycium has been
measured to be 73 mg/100 grams. The fruit also contains vitamin C,
beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty
acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids
(zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%).
Lycium contains 18
kinds of amino acids, of which 8 are indispensable amino acids for the
human body (such as isoleucine and tryptophan). 50% of Lycium's amino
acids are free amino acid. Lycium contains numerous trace elements, of
which the main ones are zinc, iron and copper. Mature fruits contain
about 11 mg. of iron per 100 grams. Ning Xia Lycium contains 45%
glucose, 7% fructose and 5.5% glucose.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
Goji
Berries have been used in Tibet for at least 1,700 years. Tibetan
medicine includes these berries in the treatment of kidney and liver
problems. They are also used in Tibet to lower cholesterol, lower blood
pressure, and cleanse the blood. Goji Berries have a long history of use
in the treatment of eye problems, skin rashes, psoriasis, allergies,
insomnia, chronic liver disease, diabetes and tuberculosis. Goji Berries
are used by the people of Tibet to increase longevity and as a general
health strengthening tonic.
Science has shown that this bright
red berry not only contains extremely high levels of antioxidants,
vitamins, and minerals, but also contains many unique phytochemicals,
polysaccharides, and complex compounds that scientists are only
beginning to understand.
Goji Berries contain the following complex compounds:
Betaine,
which is used by the liver to produce choline, a compound that calms
nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth, and protects
against fatty liver disease.
Physalin, which is active against
all major types of leukemia. It has also been used as a treatment for
hepatitis B. Solavetivone, a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
compound.
Beta-Sitoserol, an anti-inflammatory agent. It has been
used to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement. It also lowers
cholesterol.
Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure. It has also been used in the treatment of cervical cancer.
These
compounds as found in the Goji Berry are used in the following manner:
Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce choline, a compound that
calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth, and protects
against fatty liver disease. Physalin, which is active against all
major types of leukemia. It has also been used as a treatment for
hepatitis B. Solavetivone, a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
compound. Beta-Sitoserol, an anti-inflammatory agent. It has been used
to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement. It also lowers
cholesterol. Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood
pressure. It has also been used in the treatment of cervical cancer.
When
navigating through the myriad of choices in determining which product
to choose in today's antioxidant saturated market, it is important to
consider the following criteria: quality of product; quantity and source
of ingredient; reputation of manufacturing company; and cost.
At
one time, health products did a little bit of this and a little bit of
that. As someone who used to pop about 30 vitamins each day to get what I
felt my body needed for good health, it is exciting to see a number of
products offering profound results. These results are allowing
individuals to drop their pharmaceutical drug habit, or at the very
least drop the dose, giving the body what it craves most, all things
natural. We can do much to combat the ill effects of toxins and poor
diet by the choices we make with regards to nutritional supplementation.
