PRIMARY USES:

Antioxidant Protection, Enhanced Immunity, Cardiovascular Health, Stress, Healthy Aging

PROPERTIES:

Antioxidant

Anti-Inflammatory

Anti-mutagenic

Apoptic

INDICATIONS:

Acai Super Berry Antioxidant is a powerful combination of nature’s most potent plant protectors. This formula offers protection against everyday toxins: dietary, environmental and chemical. It is indicated for all individuals especially anyone with current health problems, those under high amounts of stress, smokers or those exposed to second-hand smoke, and anyone who lives or is exposed to a toxic lifestyle. Free radicals are reactive substances produced by oxidation that cause oxidative damage to the cells. Research suggests that free radicals are involved in the formation of several degenerative diseases associated with aging, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysfunction, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Aging and increased amounts of oxidative stress cause the bodies own defense system to become less effective against free radical damage. Antioxidants have the capability of stabilizing free radicals before they can react and cause harm to cells.

Acai Berry (Euterpe oleraceae) is the fruit of a palm tree native to South America. When ripe, the berries are dark purple and about the size of a blueberry. Historically, Brazilians have used acai berries to treat digestive disorders and skin conditions. The pulp and skin of acai are rich in anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, and other fatty acids. Studies have shown that acai has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptic (programmed cell death). effects A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, shoed extracts of Acai berries triggered apostisis in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested.

Mangosteen (Garcinia magostana) is a plant native to Southeast Asia. Studies reveal that xanthones from the fruit hulls of mangosteen have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anit-inflammatory properties. In one study mangoseen’s xanthones significantly inhibited the growth of leukemia cells. One xanthone in particular, alpha-mangostin, showed complete inhibition of leukemia cells through the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Other studies indicate xanthones from mangosteen inhibit the activities of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, prevent oxidative damage of LDL cholesterol, have cytotoxic effects on liver cancer cells, and are antiproliferative, antioxidative, and apoptic against breast cancer cells.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) polysaccharides exhibit anti-tumoriginic, immune enhancing, and liver-protecting properties. Studies suggest that Goji polysaccharides have positive effects when used with conventional cancer treatments. A 1994 study done in China on patients with a variety of cancers revealed that patients who were given Goji Berry polysaccharides along with their conventional cancer treatment had 40.9 percent response rate to the treatment, while patients who received conventional treatment without the Goji Berry supplement had only a 16.1 percent response rate. Additionally, the Goji Berry supplemented patients experienced longer remissions and had a significant increase in natural killer cell activity. Goji berries contain high levels of Zeaxanthin, a carotenoid necessary for healthy vision that is present in high amounts in the macula of the human eye. The Zeaxanthin in Goji Berries is a naturally esterifed zeaxanthin which has been proven to cause a higher increase in plasms levels than the non0esterifed form contained in many supplements. When Goji berry was studied against two other Chinese herbs on various measures of antioxidant activity, it showed the most potent free-radical scavenging effects. The researchers concluded that out of the three herbs tested, Goji was the best antioxidant to promote healthy aging.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) contains thousands of phytochemicals including anthocyananins, ellagic acid derivatives cathechins and procyandins, flavonols, fatty acids and sterols. Human studies show that pomegranate polyphenols and their metabolites are readily absorbed into tissues were they offer protection against elements of various diseases. Pomegranate increases nitric oxide production in the endothelial cells of the vascular system protecting against disease. Studies show consumption of the juice benefits patients with carotid artery stenosis, those with hypertension, and those with coronary heart disease. Pomegranate has been heavily studied in the treatment of prostate cancer. In one study when men with aggressive prostate cancer were given pomegranate juice daily after treatment by surgery or radiation, there was over a four-fold prolonged delay in prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling time, and the rate of PSA rise was reduced by 50% over the course of just one year. Numerous other studies demonstrate pomegranate to inhibit inflammation, slow cartilage loss in arthritis, improve sperm health, and increase the overall antioxidant capacity of the blood.

The powerful antioxidants in Green Tea may help fight the free radicals that contribute to skin, lung and stomach cancer as well as contribute to lowered blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Green Tea is rich in polyphenols and one in particular called a catechin. Catechins are 40 to 200 times more effective in seeking out and destroying free radicals tan Vitamin A, C, and E. These catechins include four major polyphenols including epigallocatechin gallate (CGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC). Of these compounds EGCG is the most abundant un green tea and has generated the most interest. Peer-reviewed scientific research has consistently shown that EGCG is a potent antioxidant, deactivating health-damaging free-radicals. By virtue of its antioxidant effects EGCG has been shown to exert a number of beneficial activities, such as reducing inflammation (inhibiting interleukin-1 beta-induced activity and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase-2 in chrondrocytes), and normalizing cell and tissue functions (by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and down-regulating urokinase plasminogen activator). In promoting cardiovascular health EGCG has been shown to inhibit free-radical activity in the arteries (reducing oxidized low-density lipoprotein and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), and thus assists in coronary circulation. Other studies have shown that ECGC has a benefit in normalizing blood glucose and protecting the pancreas from oxidative damage, as well as in boosting metabolism and burning fat. Green tea catechins and ECGC in particular have also been shown to naturally support detoxification and the elimination of toxic substances from the body while protecting the liver.

Grape skin and seed extracts are anti-inflammatory and radioprotective. They are abundant in a group of polyphenols called procyanidins. Procyanidins are strong antioxidants, lipid peroxidation inhibitors, and free radical scavengers, Procyanidins have antimutagenic effects, meaning they can counteract environmental mutagens, which are thought to be one of the causes of chronic degenerative diseases. Procyanidins also increase circulation making them helpful for conditions such as venous insufficiency (a condition in which the veins have trouble sending blood from the legs back to the heart). A placebo controlled study showed that treatment with procyanidins improved venous functionality and reduced pain, cramps, edema and paresthesias (tingling). Due to procyanidins positive effects on circulation, grape skin and seed extracts are helpful for numerous vision disorders. Studies show treatment wit procyanidins from the extracts increase resistance to glare, decrease ocular stress from prolonged activity at a computer and improve contrast sensitivity, retinal function and sensitivity in myopia (nearsightedness).

CONTRA-INDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS:

Pregnancy

Nursing

COMPLIMENTARY FORMULAS & SINGLE HERBS:

B-Complex (nutritional and cardiovascular support)

B-12 (nutritional and cardiovascular support, energy)

Co-Q10 caps (antioxidant, cardiovascular support)

Green Tea (antioxidant)

Chlorophyll (antioxidant)