Acai Berry | Acai Fruit | Acai Antioxidants | News

In November 2004, Dr. Nicholas Perricone was on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote his book, “The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps.” In his book, Perricone lists the Ten Superfoods to Rejuvenate the Body; açai was listed No. 1.

Dr. Perricone says that studies have shown that açai is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! “The high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree…açai tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate,” he says. “Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature’s perfect energy fruit.”

Dr. Perricone also notes that açai helps combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10–30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.

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Nutritional supplements are used for everything from building muscle to losing weight. They prevent and heal illnesses, boost immunity to disease, and help people perform to the best of their physical and mental abilities.

Supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, inflammation and pain relievers, and bone and muscle regenerators. Supplements are derived from plant, animal and synthetic sources.

While supplements can greatly improve health and increase fitness ability, it is important to remember that most are not regulated by the FDA. This means that not all supplements will do what they claim, and some can be dangerous. Here is a list of helpful tips that can help you get the results you want from supplements while avoiding illness or injury.

• Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can give you helpful information about what supplements are right for you and which ones you should avoid. Your doctor can also tell you which supplements will react dangerously with any medications you are taking.
• Buy supplements from a trusted source, especially if you order over the Internet. Make sure the company has contact information, a return policy, and protects your privacy. Also, make sure they guarantee their list of ingredients.
• Do your homework. Read about the supplement and make sure it is what you want. Also, follow directions carefully.
• Don’t overdo it. Too many supplements can be a bad thing. Make sure to avoid overdosing on supplements…the results can be as harmful as overdosing on prescription drugs.
• Check with the FDA. Some supplements have been banned because they are dangerous and can cause injury and death. Supplements like ephedra were pulled from the market because the risk of injury outweighed any benefit from the supplement. It is illegal to buy or sell banned supplements.

Antioxidants are substances that fight disease and infection. Disease and infection are caused by free radicals, which are molecules that damage healthy cells in our bodies. Antioxidants stop these free radicals from causing damage, therefore protecting us from heart disease, cancer, infection, and more.

Examples of antioxidants include vitamins C, E and A, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and selenium. The best place for people to get antioxidants is from healthy food. Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and fish are the best sources of antioxidants.

Everyone needs antioxidants because no one is free from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are formed during everyday exposure to the environment we live in. Breathing, exercising and going out in the sun can cause free radicals to start deteriorating bones, wearing out our organs and speeding up the aging process. Antioxidants slow or stop this harmful cycle.