Acai Berry - Does it Cure Cancer?

Hidden in the mysterious depths of the Amazon are said to be found natural cures to several of the modern man’s ailments and because of the incredible size of the Amazonian rain forest most of these natural cures remain hidden, waiting for someone to come across and discover their wonderful properties. Today we’re going to talk about one of those natural miracle cures that we have been lucky enough to find, that cure is called Acai.

Acai grows at the top of many palm trees in the Amazon basin and it has been used for many purposes such as promoting cardiovascular health, improving energy but most importantly it has recently been discovered that this particular fruit is able to do a lot more than that. Let’s take a look at some of the compounds and natural ingredients that are found in this fruit.

Compounds

– High fiber with a low glycemic index.
– 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than the concentration found in red wine. This high concentration of anthocyanins delivers equivalent levels of energy in a healthy manner which doesn’t rely on caffeine and a concentration of sugar to produce this effect. Most energy drinks in the market not only contain caffeine and sugar but several other chemicals that may cause an unbalance which is felt as a jittery burst and then a sudden crash.
– More than 16 types of antioxidants and phytonutrients
– A fatty acid compound similar to that of olive oil, this particular compound is beneficial to the skin.
– Several traces of macro-minerals and compounds which help regulate the levels of cholesterol

The Acai berry contains both omega-6 and omega-9 chemical compounds which control and regulate levels of cholesterol, controlling cholesterol levels can help prevent cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attacks.

Fatty acid as well as omega-3 can have a positive impact when it comes to people who are concerned about their age and their skin appearance, these chemical compounds and ingredients that are naturally found in this fruit and help slow down the skin aging process.

Testing Acai - Findings

A recent study conducted by the University of Florida revealed what is believed to be the most important benefit of the antioxidant mixture found in this particular fruit; an extract of the Acai berry triggered what is believed to be a self-destructive sequence amongst 86% of the leukemia cells tested, these are very encouraging results.

Media Coverage

Not only has Acai shown to have properties capable of treating cellular diseases but it also has been successfully used in order to create better dietary supplements and help people lose weight. Because of the many health-related benefits that this fruit provides it has been featured as one of the super foods on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Many other health related TV programs have covered the breakthrough that Acai represents for people who want to loose weight in a more natural and controlled way as well as for those who are interested in the medical benefits that the antioxidants found in this Brazilian fruit can provide.

Trace Minerals - A Little Goes A Long Way

Unlike macro-minerals such as calcium, which the body needs in gram amounts, trace minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, silicon, chromium, sulfur, and copper are only needed in milligram or micrograms. However, these small quantities do not reflect the importance of trace minerals, as inadequate intake can have huge effects on the body. Lets discuss a few of these trace minerals.Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, with 20 to 50 percent of people affected. The average body contains only one teaspoon of iron, but this mineral is crucial in oxygen transportation throughout the bloodstream and into cells. A lack of iron will starve the body of oxygen and energy, which cause the symptoms of iron deficiency to be fatigue, foggy thinking, irritability, headaches, and lethargy. A lot of athletes have inadequate iron intake, impairing their exercise performance as it decreases hemoglobin levels and the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the muscles while it increases the time that is needed to recover from exercise. Iron is also important in immunity, with optimal iron intake strengthening the immune system and building resistance to colds, infections, and diseases. Even though inadequate intake is a common concern, too much can also cause health problems including stomach and intestinal cramps, nausea, and constipation. The most important function of selenium is its antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme is invaluable in protecting red blood cells and cell membranes from free radical damage. Selenium works closely with vitamin E, sometimes replacing it in certain situations. Selenium holds an important role in maintaining the immune system and has been shown to reduce the risk of many health problems which include several types of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain birth defects.Zinc is a valuable antioxidant that supports many aspects of the immune system. Zinc works in the eyes to protect them against sunlight-related free radicals. Zinc supplements have been found to slow the progression of macular degeneration, but high intakes of zinc and other antioxidants have been shown to lower the risk of developing this eye disease in the first place. This mineral can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold when in lozenge form, if started within 24 hours of the first cold symptom and taken every couple of hours. Taking 50mg of zinc daily or higher amounts for short periods of time is a good idea, but amounts over 150mg daily could cause metallic taste, stomach upset, or impair immune function.Many modern diets contain extremely low amounts of silicon, especially since food processing removes much of the silicon. Silicon improves the elasticity and suppleness to skin that has been damaged by excessive skin exposure. Silicon is also important in natural bone formation, since deficiencies in silicon lead to bone weakness and sluggish wound health. Bone mineral density can be improved in people with osteoporosis by raising the intake of silicon. Chromium is important in maintaining blood sugar levels, as well as many other roles in the body. Chromium deficiency impairs the blood sugar-insulin relationship, while chromium supplementation improves insulin response. Studies have shown that supplementing with chromium picolinate improves diabetes management by lowering blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels and reducing the reliance on blood sugar medications. This mineral is also important in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.Finally, Sulfur is needed in the joints to keep the connective tissues within them strong and stable. One source of sulfur, MSM, has been shown to significantly relieve pain and improve use of knee joints in studies. Through all of the above, one can see that trace minerals are extremely important contributors to health, even in small amounts. Trace Minerals are available at your local health food store.

Trace Minerals - A Little Goes A Long Way

Unlike macro-minerals such as calcium, which the body needs in gram amounts, trace minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, silicon, chromium, sulfur, and copper are only needed in milligram or micrograms. However, these small quantities do not reflect the importance of trace minerals, as inadequate intake can have huge effects on the body. Lets discuss a few of these trace minerals.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, with 20 to 50 percent of people affected. The average body contains only one teaspoon of iron, but this mineral is crucial in oxygen transportation throughout the bloodstream and into cells. A lack of iron will starve the body of oxygen and energy, which cause the symptoms of iron deficiency to be fatigue, foggy thinking, irritability, headaches, and lethargy.

A lot of athletes have inadequate iron intake, impairing their exercise performance as it decreases hemoglobin levels and the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the muscles while it increases the time that is needed to recover from exercise. Iron is also important in immunity, with optimal iron intake strengthening the immune system and building resistance to colds, infections, and diseases. Even though inadequate intake is a common concern, too much can also cause health problems including stomach and intestinal cramps, nausea, and constipation.

The most important function of selenium is its antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme is invaluable in protecting red blood cells and cell membranes from free radical damage. Selenium works closely with vitamin E, sometimes replacing it in certain situations. Selenium holds an important role in maintaining the immune system and has been shown to reduce the risk of many health problems which include several types of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain birth defects.

Zinc is a valuable antioxidant that supports many aspects of the immune system. Zinc works in the eyes to protect them against sunlight-related free radicals. Zinc supplements have been found to slow the progression of macular degeneration, but high intakes of zinc and other antioxidants have been shown to lower the risk of developing this eye disease in the first place. This mineral can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold when in lozenge form, if started within 24 hours of the first cold symptom and taken every couple of hours. Taking 50mg of zinc daily or higher amounts for short periods of time is a good idea, but amounts over 150mg daily could cause metallic taste, stomach upset, or impair immune function.

Many modern diets contain extremely low amounts of silicon, especially since food processing removes much of the silicon. Silicon improves the elasticity and suppleness to skin that has been damaged by excessive skin exposure. Silicon is also important in natural bone formation, since deficiencies in silicon lead to bone weakness and sluggish wound health. Bone mineral density can be improved in people with osteoporosis by raising the intake of silicon.

Chromium is important in maintaining blood sugar levels, as well as many other roles in the body. Chromium deficiency impairs the blood sugar-insulin relationship, while chromium supplementation improves insulin response. Studies have shown that supplementing with chromium picolinate improves diabetes management by lowering blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels and reducing the reliance on blood sugar medications. This mineral is also important in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.

Finally, Sulfur is needed in the joints to keep the connective tissues within them strong and stable. One source of sulfur, MSM, has been shown to significantly relieve pain and improve use of knee joints in studies. Through all of the above, one can see that trace minerals are extremely important contributors to health, even in small amounts. Trace Minerals are available at your local health food store.

Most people go about their day eating whatever may sound appealing, not considering what the nutritional value is of what they are consuming. Poor diet can have an injurious impact on health; causing deficiencies as well as health-threatening conditions like obesity and weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and such common chronic systemic diseases as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There are seven major classes of nutrients: minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats, fiber and water that are essential for human life. Let’s evaluate some nutritional information. Today’s food labels list the nutritional value of the product inside to help you better evaluate the nutrient content in a single serving of a food item. It is provided by law and uses established daily values to compare foods from product to product on a consistent basis, as well as providing the nutrient and energy information of the food. Minerals Dietary minerals are the chemical elements required by living organisms, and are present in common organic molecules. They include macro-minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium, as well as trace minerals such as cobalt, copper, chromium, iodine, iron, manganese, nickel and zinc. Nutritional supplements are available too. Carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates take longer to metabolize since their sugar units are processed one-by-one off the ends of the chains. Simple carbohydrates are processed quickly and thus raise blood sugar levels more quickly resulting in rapid increases in blood insulin levels compared to complex carbohydrates. Protein Protein is composed of amino acids that are our body’s structural materials like muscles, skin and hair. The body requires amino acids to produce new body protein and to replace damaged proteins that are lost in the urine. Amino acid requirements are classified in terms of essential and non-essential amino acids. Consuming a diet that contains adequate amounts of essential amino acids is particularly important for growing animals. Vitamins As of 2005, twelve vitamins and about the same number of minerals are recognized as “essential nutrients”, meaning that they must be consumed and absorbed in nutritional supplement form - or, in the case of vitamin D, alternatively synthesized via UVB radiation - to prevent deficiency symptoms and death. Fats Fats are composed of fatty acids bonded to a glycerol. Fat is classified as either saturated or unsaturated. Generally, saturated fat is solid at room temperature while unsaturated fat is a liquid. Unsaturated fats may be further classified as mono-unsaturated or poly-unsaturated. Trans fats are saturated fats which are created from unsaturated fat by adding the extra hydrogen atoms in a process called hydrogenation. Fiber Dietary fiber consists mainly of cellulose that is indigestible because we do not have enzymes to digest it. Fruits and vegetables are high in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is important because it provides bulk to the intestinal contents and stimulates peristalsis - the rhythmic muscular contractions passing along the digestive tract. Water About 70% of the non-fat mass of the human body is made of water. Normally, about 20 percent of water intake comes from food, while the rest comes from drinking water and beverages. Water is excreted from the body in multiple forms; through urine and feces, through sweating, and by exhalation of water vapor in the breath. Nutritional value standards and recommendations in the US are under the supervision of the US Department of Agriculture. Exercise and dietary guidelines from the USDA are under the heading of the food pyramid, which has replaced the concept of the four food groups. Mike Selvon has some informative antioxidant nutrition articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the nutritional value at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our powerful antioxidant blog.

Most people go about their day eating whatever may sound appealing, not considering what the nutritional value is of what they are consuming. Poor diet can have an injurious impact on health; causing deficiencies as well as health-threatening conditions like obesity and weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and such common chronic systemic diseases as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There are seven major classes of nutrients: minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats, fiber and water that are essential for human life. Let’s evaluate some nutritional information. Today’s food labels list the nutritional value of the product inside to help you better evaluate the nutrient content in a single serving of a food item. It is provided by law and uses established daily values to compare foods from product to product on a consistent basis, as well as providing the nutrient and energy information of the food. Minerals Dietary minerals are the chemical elements required by living organisms, and are present in common organic molecules. They include macro-minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium, as well as trace minerals such as cobalt, copper, chromium, iodine, iron, manganese, nickel and zinc. Nutritional supplements are available too. Carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates take longer to metabolize since their sugar units are processed one-by-one off the ends of the chains. Simple carbohydrates are processed quickly and thus raise blood sugar levels more quickly resulting in rapid increases in blood insulin levels compared to complex carbohydrates. Protein Protein is composed of amino acids that are our body’s structural materials like muscles, skin and hair. The body requires amino acids to produce new body protein and to replace damaged proteins that are lost in the urine. Amino acid requirements are classified in terms of essential and non-essential amino acids. Consuming a diet that contains adequate amounts of essential amino acids is particularly important for growing animals. Vitamins As of 2005, twelve vitamins and about the same number of minerals are recognized as “essential nutrients”, meaning that they must be consumed and absorbed in nutritional supplement form - or, in the case of vitamin D, alternatively synthesized via UVB radiation - to prevent deficiency symptoms and death. Fats Fats are composed of fatty acids bonded to a glycerol. Fat is classified as either saturated or unsaturated. Generally, saturated fat is solid at room temperature while unsaturated fat is a liquid. Unsaturated fats may be further classified as mono-unsaturated or poly-unsaturated. Trans fats are saturated fats which are created from unsaturated fat by adding the extra hydrogen atoms in a process called hydrogenation. Fiber Dietary fiber consists mainly of cellulose that is indigestible because we do not have enzymes to digest it. Fruits and vegetables are high in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is important because it provides bulk to the intestinal contents and stimulates peristalsis - the rhythmic muscular contractions passing along the digestive tract. Water About 70% of the non-fat mass of the human body is made of water. Normally, about 20 percent of water intake comes from food, while the rest comes from drinking water and beverages. Water is excreted from the body in multiple forms; through urine and feces, through sweating, and by exhalation of water vapor in the breath. Nutritional value standards and recommendations in the US are under the supervision of the US Department of Agriculture. Exercise and dietary guidelines from the USDA are under the heading of the food pyramid, which has replaced the concept of the four food groups. Mike Selvon has some informative antioxidant nutrition articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the nutritional value at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our powerful antioxidant blog.