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Acai has had quite a lot of publicity recently. It is
one of the nutrients recommended by Dr Perricone who is one of Oprah
Winfrey's consultants and regular health guru guests. Dr Perricone
declares, "Acai is the number one super food on the planet".
Acai has a large concentration of antioxidants that
help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red
grapes and 33 times the anthocyanins in a glass of red wine. Acai also
contains a daily value of calcium and twice the daily value of vitamin E. The fatty
acid content in açaí resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in
monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of
reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together
they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane
supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more
efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels
create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging.
Acai is also almost a perfect amino acid complex and in
conjunction with many trace minerals helps to give proper muscle
contraction and regeneration. An Acai Research
Paper
Acai contains the highest concentrate of anthocyanins
found so far in the natural fruit and vegetable world. Anthocyanins
neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue. Their antioxidant
capacity prevents oxidants from damaging connective tissues and repair
damaged proteins in the blood-vessel walls. This repair along with
chelation can improve blood vessel health and increase your blood flow.
Below are the four main reasons why
people with blood vessel problems should take and antioxidant like Acai.
Almost every one has some sort of blood vessels damage caused by free
radicals which in turn cause vessel inflammation. This inflammation is
now thought to be the main cause of all blood vessel disease.
Anthocyanins reports and studies have shown that:
1.)
Large and Small Blood-Vessels: Anthocyanins ability to counter oxidants
(free radicals) make them a powerhouse in the fight against
arteriosclerosis. Even in trace amounts, anthocyanins effectively protect
against LDL oxidation. Anthocyanins protect the integrity of the
endothelial cells that line blood vessel walls and help to maintain micro
capillary integrity.
2.) Diabetes: One of the serious diabetic complications
is retinopathy, which in most cases can cause blindness. This condition
occurs when the body attempts to repair leaking, damaged capillaries, but
does so by over producing abnormal proteins. The protection of
anthocyanins may help prevent these capillaries from leaking and to help
prevent abnormal protein proliferation.
3.) Eyesight: Anthocyanins may also help improve
eyesight. In the Second World War, British fighter pilots were found to
have improved night vision. These findings were thought to be contributed
by the large amounts of bilberry in the pilot's diet. Bilbery is another
powerful antioxidant like acai, blueberry, goji and others. The effects of
the improved night vision were not long lasting after the initial
consumption of bilberry lasting just hours after initial consumption. With
this new found advantage, the pilots would consume the bilberry fruits
just prior to the mission.
4.) Recommendation: Take Acai as a daily regimen. I
personally take Acai for about six months out of the year and the other
six months I take goji berry extract. If you want to take just one I
recommend the Acia.
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