Vitamin Information Center

Açaí berry juice and supplements have become more and more popular in terms of its antioxidant power, anti-aging properties and potential weight loss benefits. Celebrities like Oprah and Dr. Perricone cheap açaí Berry for their health, but these benefits the costs?

Açaí berries are small purple colored fruits in Central and South America. You are in the same family as other dark colored fruits like blueberries and cranberries. The coloring of the fruits is due to the antioxidants, anthocyanins and flavonoids. Fruit and vegetables with the deepest purple and blue color are the richest in antioxidants.

Antioxidants are responsible for the promotion of good health because they help to wear by harmful substances in the body called free radicals. Therefore, an antioxidant diet consumed May reduce or slow aging and the diseases caused by free radicals activity. Furthermore, açaí also many other nutrients such as omega fatty acids, and it is a good source of protein (both are rare for a fruit). It is for this reason, açaí berries are prized as one of the most nutrient-packed fruits.

Although the benefits of powerful nutrients açaí berries are not denied the ability to açaí to weight loss efforts are not yet on the scientific research. In addition, the Western world is ready for large amounts of money to purchase this super fruit. Starting prices for many supplements and juices are usually about $ 30 (for less than a 1-month supply), but many additions significantly more expensive.

The bottom line is açaí berry supplements do pack a nutrient shock, but with a hefty price. No reason to worry, if you’re not in a position, the cost of these expensive supplements. The antioxidant flavonoids and anthocyanins, can by the consumption of other dark-colored fruits like blueberries and pomegranates. All other nutrients, which in this super fruit can by eating a balanced diet of lean proteins such as impaired (wild salmon, tuna, chicken), a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts.

Hippocrates wisely stated back in 400 BC, “Let food be your medicine and medicine
be your food.” Modern research has validated this doctrine. Today we know that what
we eat is a major determinant of health, and that food provides both nutritive and
healing properties.
Functional foods, as defi ned by the International Food Information Council, are
“foods or dietary components that may provide a health benefi t beyond basic nutrition.”
In other words, these foods provide more than just vitamins and minerals; they
contain compounds that have benefi cial actions in the body and can reduce the risk of
chronic disease. These are foods that you want to include more of in your daily diet.
Below are some examples of functional foods and their associated health benefi ts.
• Apples provide both soluble and insoluble fi bre (one medium apple with skin provides
about 3 g of fi bre). Apple skins are a major food source of a type of fl avonoid
called quercetin, which is a potent antioxidant that helps protect against heart disease
and cancer. These fl avonoids, along with vitamin C, give apples immune- bolstering
properties. Phenolic compounds found in apple skins provide protection against
many chronic diseases and have recently been found to provide UVB sun protection.
So there is a lot of truth to the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Fuji
apples have the highest concentration of phenolic and fl avonoid compounds, but Red
Delicious apples are also quite high.
• Berries, cherries, and red grapes contain plant pigments called anthocyanidins, which
give these fruits their radiant red and purple colour. Anthocyanidins have antioxidant
properties, preventing free radical damage and reducing the risk of chronic disease.
These compounds are also important for proper brain and blood vessel function.
• Broccoli contains sulphoraphane and indole-3 carbinol, antioxidants that neutralize
free radicals, enhance detoxifi cation, and may reduce the risk of cancer. These
compounds are found in other cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, caulifl ower, and
cabbage. Try to have a serving of these foods every day.

• Carrots are an excellent source of many antioxidant compounds, particularly
beta-carotene, which is part of the carotenoids. Carotenoids help protect against
cardiovascular disease, cancer, macular degeneration, and cataracts, and they
also promote good night vision. New research is looking at the effects of another
phytonutrient in carrots, called falcarinol, and its ability to reduce the risk of colon
cancer. To get the maximum amount of nutrients from carrots, eat them raw or
lightly steamed.
• Chocolate and cocoa provide various fl avonoids that provide antioxidant benefi ts
for the heart and other organs. Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants and
less fat than milk chocolate. Look for products that contain 70 percent or more
cocoa.
• Citrus fruits contain fl avanones (a type of fl avonoid), antioxidants that reduce
free radicals, prevent cellular damage, and boost defences against viral infections.
Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes offer a wide range of nutrients (vitamin C,
folate, and fi bre).
• Collard greens and kale contain plant pigments called lutein and zeaxanthin, which
are important for eye health and can reduce the risk of macular degeneration (agerelated
blindness). Supplements of lutein have been shown to improve vision in
those with macular degeneration and prevent disease progression. One to two servings
of kale or collard greens per week provide the recommended amount of lutein
and zeaxanthin. Other food sources include spinach, broccoli, and leeks, but they
contain a lesser amount.
• Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which have been shown to reduce the risk
of urinary tract infections. Preliminary research also shows that these compounds
may help lower cholesterol, improve gum health, prevent ulcers, and prevent brain
damage after a stroke. The bladder benefi ts are seen with one to two glasses of juice
daily. Look for pure cranberry juice or low-sugar juice cocktail.
• Fish and fi sh oils contain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which have been
found to reduce risk of coronary heart disease. Specifi cally, they reduce triglycerides,
increase HDL (good cholesterol), reduce infl ammation, prevent clotting, and
reduce blood pressure. They are also known to be benefi cial for vision and brain
health. Choose wild (not farmed) fi sh.
GET YOUR OMEGA-3S
The recommended intake of fi sh oils for heart health is 1–3 g daily from supplements or
one to two servings of fi sh per week. Sadly, our fi sh supply is contaminated with PCBs,
dioxins, and pesticides, which increase the risk of cancer. Farmed fi sh, especially salmon,
contains the highest amount of toxins. Health authorities recommend consuming

no more than six meals per year of farmed salmon. Wild Pacifi c salmon has fewer toxins
and can be eaten once or twice a month. You can also get your omega-3s through a
fi sh oil supplement. Look for a quality product that is tested for purity and provides at
least DHA and EPA.
• Flaxseed provides lignans, plant compounds with antioxidant activity that may
protect against heart disease and some cancers. (It lowers LDL cholesterol, total
cholesterol, and triglycerides.) Flaxseed is a good source of dietary fi bre (14 g of
fi bre per 50 g serving) and is thus used to relieve constipation and to treat ulcerative
colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Flaxseed also contains benefi cial omega-3
fatty acids. To obtain all the benefi ts, eat the milled fl axseed or get whole seeds
and crush them in a food processor or coffee grinder. Take 15 mL (1 tbsp) once or
twice daily. Store milled seeds in the refrigerator or freezer in an opaque, airtight
container; they will be stable for 90 days.
• Garlic contains sulphur compounds, which offer a number of health benefi ts. Studies
have shown that garlic mildly reduces cholesterol, reduces LDL oxidation (atherosclerosis),
prevents blood clotting, and fi ghts cancer. It also possesses anti-infl ammatory,
antibacterial, and antiviral effects. Studies have found benefi ts with as little as 900
mg of garlic per day, which is approximately equivalent to one clove.
• Ginger has a long history of use for relieving stomach problems. Clinical studies have
validated its benefi ts for preventing the symptoms of motion sickness (especially
seasickness) and in the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy.
The active compounds in ginger, called gingerols, have potent anti-infl ammatory
effects, making it helpful in the treatment of arthritis and other infl ammatory conditions.
New research suggests that ginger may also help fi ght cancer. Choose fresh
ginger over the dry (powder) form to maximize intake of the active compounds.
• Green tea is rich in catechins (a type of fl avonoid) called epigallocatechin gallate
(EGCG). This compound has been found to reduce the risk of certain cancers,
reduce the size of existing tumours, and inhibit tumour growth. It also supports
heart function by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of fatal
heart attacks. EGCG also supports nerve function and may benefi t Parkinson’s
and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently EGCG has been found to reduce body fat and
improve metabolism. Most studies evaluating the health benefi ts of green tea involved
drinking 750–2,500 mL daily. Black tea, white tea, Oolong tea, and other
teas derived from the plant Camellia sinesis may offer similar health benefi ts but
are not as widely researched.
• Oat bran contains a soluble fi bre called beta-glucan, which has been shown to
lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have found that 3 g
of beta-glucan daily can reduce total cholesterol by an average of 5 percent. This

amount can be found in approximately 60 g of oatmeal or 40 g of oat bran. Other
good forms of soluble fi bre are psyllium, apples, and beans.
• Onions contain a variety of nutrients, such as vitamin C and chromium. Powerful
sulphur compounds in onions are responsible for their pungent odour and for many
of their health benefi ts. They can help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood
pressure. Onions provide a concentrated source of the fl avonoid quercitin, which
helps reduce infl ammation and may halt the growth of cancer. Cooking meats with
onions may help reduce the amount of carcinogens produced when meat is cooked
at high heat. There are many varieties of onions. In general, the more pungent an
onion, the more active compounds and health benefi ts it has.
• Soybeans contain isofl avones (daidzein and genistein), which help reduce cholesterol
levels, fi ght cancer, increase bone density, and reduce menopausal symptoms.
Research suggests that consuming 25 g of soy protein daily can provide a signifi cant
cholesterol-lowering effect. Aside from soybeans and tofu, you can get the benefi ts
of soy protein by eating soy nuts, soy milk, soy yogurt, and bars and shakes containing
soy protein.
• Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been found to reduce
the risk of prostate and colon cancer, support prostate health, reduce blood clotting
and infl ammation, and reduce heart attack risk. Most studies found health benefi ts
with an intake of 8–10 mg daily. Lycopene is also present in tomato sauce, tomato
paste, and ketchup, which contain a higher amount of lycopene than fresh tomatoes.
To obtain 10 mg of lycopene, you would have to eat about 10–15 raw tomatoes,
60 mL (2 oz.) of ketchup, or 20 mL (4 tsp) of tomato paste. Lycopene is also found
in papaya, strawberries, watermelon, guava, and pink grapefruit.
• Yogurt contains active bacteria cultures known as probiotics or friendly bacteria,
which improve gastrointestinal health (digestion and elimination) and immune
function. These active cultures also help digest the naturally occurring sugar (lactose)
in dairy products that causes bloating and diarrhea in some people. Avoid
the “diet” or “light” yogurts, since they are sweetened with aspartame, a chemical
whose safety in food is questionable. The amount of probiotics in yogurt varies
with brand and storage. For this reason those looking for the consistent benefi ts of
probiotics often opt for supplements.
Many compounds found in functional foods are available in supplement form.
Supplements often provide a standardized amount of the active compounds, they are
easy to take, and are a great way to complement the diet.
The health benefi ts make functional foods worthy of inclusion in your daily diet.
Try to have a few each day. Look for organic products to reduce your exposure to
harmful pesticides.

Lately I’ve been worried that the olives in my martini just aren’t enough. They’re kinda old-fashioned, after all, and the jar says nothing about polyphenols or flavonoids.

So where am I supposed to get the essentials, like antioxidants and anthocyanins, without sacrificing alcohol content?

Acai berries to the rescue, distilled by a marketing-savvy visionary into hard liquor. The alcoholic answer to green tea is launching in Dallas under the brand name VeeV on Feb. 22, with a campaign focused on the drink’s healthy ingredients. While not making any specific claims, they aren’t exactly shy either, reminding us that acai berries are “the world’s preeminent superfruit,” and that people can “enjoy themselves while doing some good at the same time.” (Isn’t this how we justified tequila shots before class during college? Um, so I’ve heard)

It’s tough to find any information on acai berries that doesn’t quickly devolve into a breathless recounting of their nutritional benefits (ZOMG! Acai berries contain 57 percent more antioxidants than pomegranates!) Even if the berries are, as Oprah puts it, “one of the most powerful foods in the world,” is there any reason to believe this liquor will confer health benefits on consumers?

Nutrients don’t survive the distillation process unscathed. But that’s OK. This is the land of health fads–someone tried the same tactic with quinoa vodka, too–and are we really prepared to argue with the all-knowing Oprah?

Xoçai Healthy Chocolate is being sold by Karen J. Rankin of Bedford through a direct-marketing sales approach. Made with unprocessed cacao powder and combined with açai berries and blueberries, the combination of these ingredients in their natural state provides a tasty product packed with powerful antioxidants.

The chocolate products include power squares, nuggets, cookies, an antioxidant beverage and protein bars.

Also, the company is selling Xobiotic Squares, which contain probiotics for intestinal health. The chocolates contain no caffeine, preservatives, fillers, waxes, processed sugar or trans fats.

Rankin points to 22 reasons why people should incorporate dark chocolate and açai into their health regimens, including that the chocolate is more nutritious, contains fiber, balances cholesterol, may aid in weight loss, scavenges free radicals, is full of antioxidants, fights pathogens, cleanses and detoxifies and boosts a person’s sense of well-being.

According to a company brochure, “Xoçai products are the perfect delivery system for the antioxidants your body needs while eliminating almost all of the fat and sugar typically found in other chocolate products.”

Rankin will sponsor “chocolate tastings” in Bedford for those interested in joining the business or buying the products. The first will be at 7 p.m. Friday at The Company Concourse, 14th and H streets, and the second is slated for 7 p.m. Monday at The Company Concourse.

The ORAC, or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is an index that shows the amount of antioxidants in a single food source. It has become an important indicator of a fruit or vegetable’s ability to eliminate free radicals that damage cells in the human body.

Free radicals
Imagine rust forming on metal. As rust eats away the surface, the metal erodes and eventually becomes unusable. This is how free radicals attack our body - they weaken our cells, organs, tissue and other important parts, leading to diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, osteoarthritis and dementia.

The ORAC scale
The ORAC test identifies and measures important antioxidants in a food source. Foods with a high ORAC score can raise the antioxidant levels in the blood by up to 25 percent. Doctors recommend that we consume fruits and vegetables with a total ORAC score of 1,750 per day.

Different plants have different levels of antioxidants. You may consume five kinds of fruits and get only 1,300 ORAC units. Yet a handful of blueberries can give you an ORAC score of 9,000 per 100 grams. The USDA’s recommended level of ORAC units is 3,000 to 5,000 daily.

Acai tops the ORAC list
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries and pomegranates score high on the ORAC index. But no single food source comes close to the ORAC score of the acai berry from Brazil.

A new research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that the acai has the highest ORAC antioxidant value of any food.

Compared to blackberries (53), pomegranates (105), and blueberries (92), acai has an amazing ORAC score of 1,027 per gram. Some samples of freeze-dried acai even turned out ORAC results of up to 50,000.

While these figures are impressive, they do not apply to all acai. Acai berries that have been frozen, spray dried or air dried have a lower ORAC score because many of the phytochemicals, enzymes and nutrients of the acai fruit are lost in the procedure.

To achieve the highest ORAC values, buy only acai products that are properly freeze-dried.

Açai Machine juice smoothie and Pomegranate juice are joining the Naked Juice line-up. Both are antioxidant rich and all-natural, 100% juice containing no added sugar or preservatives.

These two new products are loaded with antioxidants which naturally help defend and protect the body against free radicals – molecules that can attack and damage cells. The latest addition to the popular line of ‘Machine’ smoothies, Açai Machine includes 178 açai berries in every 15.2oz bottle. Açai Machine also includes added antioxidant benefits of vitamin A, C, and E, as well as elderberry, beet, black currant, and grape seed extracts.

Naked Juice Pomegranate joins the brand’s Antioxidant Family alongside Pomegranate Açai, Pomegranate Blueberry, and Cherry Pomegranate Power. With four California pomegranates in each 15.2oz bottle, Naked Juice Pomegranate is a hefty antioxidant attack against free radicals.

Açai Machine and Pomegranate are made from fruits, with no added sugar or preservatives. Each 15.2oz bottle contains over three servings of fruit. Both products will be available nationwide later this month for suggested retail prices of $3.79 (Açai Machine) and $4.49 (Pomegranate).

The Acai Berry was recently proclaimed the world’s greatest super food. Rumors have it that this little purple berry from the Amazon can fight off heart attacks 10 times better than red wine–and guess what, studies have backed up some of these suggestions. Today, the Acai Berry is not only one of the world’s leading solution to anti-aging, it’s also one of the most effective fruits that aid in weight loss. Read through the passages below to find out why.

Getting Rid of Toxins Includes Getting Rid of Bad Cholesterol
We take in a gargantuan amount of trans fat from the fast food we eat everyday. Some blame it on our fast paced lifestyle, while others have enough common sense to recognize that these burgers and fries are highly addictive–and we end up eating them when we do have the time to prepare healthier dishes. Imagine gulping down an average of 5 glasses of soda a day, two burgers, two slices (at least) of pizza, and bags and bags of potato chips, while we languidly sit in front of the computer screen or in front of the TV. Even without batting an eyelash, a five-year-old can tell you that you’ll end up looking like a blimp and clogging your arteries if you don’t act on it soon.

You can either kill yourself by shocking your body into jogging an hour a day, or take something in that can aid in the fat burning process. While you will still need to have a proper exercise routine, acai berry supplements and products can help aid in the process.

Effectiveness of Acai Berries Compared To Other Fruits
Basically, an acai berry product works in the same way any fruit product would work–only better. Like most fruits like grapes and blueberries, an acai berry contains antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants can be found in any fruit, and it helps fight off the toxins or free radicals we acquire through daily stress. When these free radicals get out of proportion and take over our bodies, they eventually cause the growth of cancer cells. A regular intake of quality acai berry juice and supplements has been shown to prevent this in some cases. Acai berries contain twice the antioxidants found in blueberries, which were the current reigning wonder fruits before the acai berries’ discovery.

Anthocyanins, on the other hand, are the substances found in red wine that fight off heart failures due to bad fat or cholesterol. Red wine, although it does aid in the fat absorption, still has slightly negative health effects because it’s alcohol. Acai berry, aside from being non-alcoholic, offers ten times the amount of anthocyanins found in red wine. So aside from dodging the unhealthy side effects, acai berries are also essentially more effective than grapes in red wine.

Important Information About Acai Berry
Only 10% of the acai berry fruit is actually beneficial for anti-aging and weight loss: the pulp and the skin. About 90% of acai berries are seeds, which are not digestible and are used only for jewelry or fuel. Acai berries are also high in fat, which means they spoil easily. It’s nearly impossible to effectively import them to other countries, except when frozen or freeze dried. When you’re buying supplements and juices made from acai berries, make sure that you find “frozen” or “freeze dried” on the labels. It’s also pretty useless to buy “extracts” of this fruit alone, because you would want the full benefits of acai berries, not just parts of it.

What are the benefits of taking acai berry fruit is it really a superfood? You will find many reviews about the benefits of acai on the internet. If you would like a rise in your vitality or need to detox your body or perhaps just slow the aging the acai might be just what you need.

A very distinct purple berry much like a grape, acai is only found in the Amazon rainforest. This fruit, the acai berry, is produced in palm trees that can reach the height of 82 feet. The acai berry fruit does not grow individually like the apple but in clustering like a banana. Each of these tall palm trees can grow anywhere from a few to as many as eight bundles of this black purple fruit.

Although it is a recent addition to the market in the US the acai berry has been used every day in Brazil. Containing a higher level of the antioxidants of grapes and easily twice that of blueberries acai is considered a super food. The little purple fruit is filled with many of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids that a person needs. There have been many health benefits reported about the popular acai berry fruit. There are accounts that the acai detoxifies the body and aids the immune system The health benefits also include it combats free radicals that cause aging and has high levels of fiber.

Wholesome beautiful skin is also described because of the key minerals in the acai berry fruit. It has been reported that the acai assists the heart and lungs by bettering circulation. Cancer cells seem to be killed when acai berry fruit is added to the cancer cells at least in the science laboratory.

There are so many ways it helps cure and defent the body that one has to ask what it can’t serve. There have been accounts that diabetes is alleviated and swelling decreased.

People who have taken acai bery report that it accelerates healing, helps level out normal blood sugar levels, and helps patients suffering from leukemia.

Acai has joined the list of food items that are called superfoods. Acai has superior nutrient attributes and is by nature rich in amino acids, electrolytes, and antioxidants.

The acai berry fruit is found in various meals and drinks in Brazil. Acai drinks, smoothies are a few of the many ways acai berry is utilised. It is not unheard of to flavor even meat and fish meals with the acai berry fruit.

Regrettably it is not possible to consume these berries fresh from the palm. The acai berry fruit must be processed quickly close to the harvest by taking out the pulp from the fruit. After being freeze-dried to preserve the berry nutrient level is readied for transportation. Once it is combined with other ingredients to produce a drink or shake or made into capsule form the acai will contain a full level of nutrients.|When it reaches the processing plant the freeze-dried acai is combined with other ingredients to make a drink and will still be a potent mixture of nutrients.|The freeze-dried acai is merged with other ingredients ingredients and made into capsules or prepared into a smoothies.}

Canadians and people of the United States are joining the band wagon about acai berry fruit and the amountskads of energy it gives. You might discover acai as an element in the next drink you purchase. Freeze-dried acai is the desired action for acai berry fruit since doing so helps maintain the value high.

A Great Deal has been reported on the benefits of taking acai berry fruit but you need to research further to discover truth from falacy on the nutrition benefits for you. Scientific testing needs to be done to verify these results so prior to taking the acai do some more reading to learn about the health benefits. There seems to be many ways the acai berry fruit can help your health if even one of the reports are true. Be sure to read reviews about the acai berry fruit to discover if this product is for you.

New evidence suggests that the 90mg RDI of vitamin C is woefully insufficient for the body’s true need of this powerful antioxidant nutrient. We’ve all heard that we need vitamin C to prevent colds and to fight infections, now evidence shows it is worth so much more.

As we stress the body with unhealthy diets, smoking, hormones in foods, chemicals in the environment, and less sleep than we need, all of which increase free radicals in the body, today the need is evident how much we need to increase our intake of this vital nutrient.

Vitamin C protects the immune system, the heart, the eyes, brain, and the joints, and that is just the beginning.

This super star vitamin neutralizes free radicals as part of its antioxidant action, and has been shown to destroy bacteria, yeast and certain cancerous cells, and increase the activity of natural killer cells that help control viral and bacterial infections.

It protects the cardiovascular system by increasing the stability and elasticity of the vascular walls and by inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, while also regenerating alpha-tocopheroyl, the all important vitamin E.

The normal healthy eye contains high levels of vitamin C which protects the eyes from the formation of cataracts and age related eye diseases. Low levels are consistent with cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. However the best way to get this nutrient into the aqueous humour is in the seven to nine servings of fresh fruits and vegetables recommended per day.

Evidence based research shows that vitamin C stimulates pro-collagen and bone cell formation. Problems of the connective tissue, bone, and joints are primarily due to poor diet, low nutrient absorption and altered metabolism. In a dou- ble-blind study 133 patients with Osteoporosis taking therapeutic levels of Vitamin C, participants reported significantly reduced pain and inflammation compared to the placebo group.

Nutrition plays a major roll in supporting the immune system, and good nutrition has even made AIDS a treatable disease. Vitamin C being the critical nutrient, works to suppress the replication of the HIV virus while also protecting the brain from toxicity that occurs in the latter stages of the disease.

With the level of stress we live with today, along with a diet of hydrogenated fats, refined carbohydrates, high intake of meats, and a sedentary lifestyle, our level of health is the worlds worst. We must change these dietary and lifestyle habits and restructure a lifestyle to support health. Supplementation with good quality vitamins is a must. But supplementation must come with a change of diet, not instead of.

Vitamin C is absolutely essential for the maintenance of health, preventing disease, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, joint dysfunction, vision problems and cognitive impairment.

All fruits and vegetables contain some Vitamin C. Foods highest in vitamin C include green peppers, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and other leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe.

Other excellent sources include papaya, mango, watermelon, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, winter squash, red peppers, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapples.

In another column I’ll talk about what the new research reveals about Vitamin C and Cancer. Remember, Health is a Choice, your choice. If you would like to purchase the book, attend the class: Grocery Shopping 101, or if you are ready to change the level of your health, please call or write:

Carolyn Guilford,

(912) 236-8987 www.Healthrestoration101.com

Health Restoration 101

P. O. Box 2814, Savannah, GA 31402

For vitamin E, four tocopherol members are better than one.

VITAMIN E found in nature has always been superior to the vitamin E found in the common supplement pills we consume. Why? Because most vitamin E pills contain only alpha tocopherol whereas now we know that natural vitamin E gives us not one (alpha-) but four (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-) tocopherol members.

It is only recently that scientists have found the long-ignored members – gamma, beta and delta tocopherols – of the vitamin E family to have important functions, some of which are different from that of alpha tocopherol. While alpha tocopherol alone does provide certain benefits, it has been found that the best benefits of vitamin E supplementation come when it contains all four tocopherol members of the vitamin E family.

A study published in the February 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the intake of a mixture of vitamin E from food sources rather than from supplements is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

“High intake of vitamin E from food (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta tocopherol), but not supplements (which usually contain only alpha tocopherol), is inversely associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” wrote Martha Clare Morris, ScD, PhD, from Rush Institute of healthy Aging in Atlanta, Georgia, and colleagues. “Because vitamin E is composed of four different tocopherol members (alpha-,beta-, gamma- and delta-) … and because vitamin E supplements usually consists of alpha tocopherol only, one possible explanation for the seeming inconsistency is that the effect (benefit) is not due to alpha tocopherol alone but to a combination of tocopherol members.”

Free radicals can stimulate and intensify inflammation by turning on genes that promote inflammation. Many serious degenerative conditions, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), various types of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, appear to be promoted by chronic inflammation.

A recent report published on Dec 21, 2004 by the Proceedings of the National Acedemy of Sciences (led by a team of scientists including Qing Jiang, formerly of Children’s Hospital and Research Centre in Oakland, California). The research had nothing against alpha-tocopherol. “Alpha tocopherol has justifiably earned a good reputation as an antioxidant,” said Jiang in a news release. Instead, she wanted to see if other members of vitamin E were promising.

Jiang, currently assistant professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University in Indiana, US, has studied gamma tocopherol before. In 2000, she and her colleagues found that it inhibits inflammation, which has been linked to cancer. [Journal – Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (Oct 2000) ]

This time, Jiang’s team studied gamma tocopherol against human prostate and lung cancer cells. They found that gamma tocopherol inhibited the spread of prostate and lung cancer cells without hurting the healthy cells. That indicates that gamma tocopherol might be able to combat cancer without damaging unaffected cells. The results were even better when gamma tocopherol got a little help from its other team members.

Mixing other members of vitamin E – including gamma tocopherol – was even better at blocking cancer’s spread. “Combinations of different members of vitamin E may be superior to each alone,” writes the researchers.

The summary of the recent findings is that taking alpha tocopherol alone may not provide the full benefits of vitamin E.

This article is courtesy of Pahang Pharmacy. For more information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.