Vitamins
& Minerals:
Açaí is a complete source for a number of vitamins and
minerals. Vitamins and minerals are used for a number of metabolic and
cellular functions.
Vitamin
B1 or Thiamin – Thiamin is used in blood formation and may
enhance blood circulation. It is also used in the metabolism of carbohydrates
and to manufacture hydrochloric acid, which aids in proper digestion.
Thiamin can also improve brain function and may help with depression
and assist with memory and learning.
Vitamin
B2 or Riboflavin – Riboflavin is needed by the body to use
oxygen and metabolize amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. It
is also used in the production of antibodies, cell respiration and growth,
and plays an important role in the health of the mucus membrane of the
digestive tract. Vitamin B2 is essential for healthy skin, hair and
nails.
Vitamin
B3 or Niacin – Niacin is aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins and also helps with the normal secretion of bile
into the liver and stomach fluid production. It is vital for proper
circulation and nervous system function. When the body has sufficient
Niacin levels, people commonly report more mental alertness
Vitamin
C or Ascorbic Acid – Vitamin C is well known for its ability
to prevent and destroy infections and enhance immune system function.
However Vitamin C is also a biological reducing agent that may prevent
degenerative diseases like cataracts, cancers, and cardio vascular diseases.
In fact Ascorbic acid is great antioxidant that can regulate cholesterol
and blood pressure levels, protect against pollutants, promote healthy
cell development, assists in proper calcium absorption and aid in tissue
growth and repair.
Vitamin
E or Tocopherol – Vitamin E has been used to fight wrinkles
and improve skin health for years. Not only can Vitamin E help skin
look younger, promote faster healing and minimize scar tissue development
but it is also has very powerful antioxidant properties. Its antioxidant
properties allow Vitamin E to protect cells from oxidation and combat
unstable free radicals that can cause major damage. For more on the
antioxidants in Açaí click here. Increases in stamina
and endurance are also attributed to Vitamin E.
Iron - Iron is mainly used to transport oxygen. It is essential
for of cell growth. A lack of iron limits the amount of oxygen delivered
to the cells, which results in fatigue, lack of energy and decreased
immunity.
Potassium
& Sodium - Potassium and sodium are electrolytes and work very
closely together. It is important these two minerals stay in the proper
balance. Potassium is a vital nutrient and is greatly involved in nourishing
every cell in your body. Furthermore, each cell pulls in nutrients and
pushes out waste via the sodium/potassium pump. Together the two can
keep your heart healthy and help keep blood pressure constant.
Phosphorus – Much like calcium, most of phosphorus is located in the bones
and teeth. However Phosphorus performs more functions than any other
mineral in your body. One of the more important functions is to help
with collagen production, which composes a large portion of tendons,
ligaments, cartilage, skin, and eyes. Phosphorus is also the main component
in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) or the main source of energy for all
living cells. With out Phosphorus no energy could be used making muscle
contraction and movement impossible.
Calcium – Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and has
several important functions. Most is found in the bones and teeth (99%)
to support their structure. Calcium is required for proper muscle contraction,
blood vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and
enzymes, and relaying messages to the nervous system. A lack of calcium
can result in weak and brittle bones and teeth and deficient enzyme
production
Magnesium – While the body contains only a small amount of Magnesium, it
is vital to every cell and your body. It support your bones, is a catalyst
in activating many vitamins, aids in relaxing muscles, and is essential
for protein synthesis. Magnesium is used to combine amino acids to make
usable proteins your body needs. Numerous amounts of protein are needed
to keep your body functioning properly.
Copper – Copper is used to make hormones and transport oxygen throughout
the body. Copper is necessary in the formation of red blood cells, the
absorption and usage of iron, and the creation and distribution of life-sustaining
proteins and enzymes. Copper plays an important role in the formation
of organs including the brain and heart as well as many others. It also
stimulates immune function to fight infections, repair tissues, and
promote healing.
Zinc - Zinc is used to absorb calcium and to produce hydrochloric acid in
the stomach. Zinc also helps remove carbon dioxide from hemoglobin.
Without zinc, the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood would be
less efficient and cells would struggle to get enough oxygen to perform
the functions properly.
Phytosterols
(Plant Sterols)
The Açaí berry is known to contain a variety of Plant
Sterols or Phytosterols (phyto means “plant”). Phytosterols
are compounds that are located in the cell membranes of plants and have
protective properties for our bodies. The Phytosterols contained in
the Açaí berry have a number of positive effects. They
range from promoting a healthy cardiovascular system and digestive tract,
helping control cholesterol, to even being used to treat symptoms of
an enlarged prostate gland (possible precursor to prostate cancer).
Dietary
Fiber
Açaí contains a high level of dietary fiber. Fiber is
plays a major role in promoting proper, healthy function of the digestive
system as well as maintaining positive overall health. It is recommended
a person consumes 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily however the average American
only consumes 15 grams of fiber or less each day.
The
lack of fiber is mainly due to the typical American diet, which lacks
the proper amount of fruits and vegetables which provides the needed
dietary fiber. This deficiency in fiber can have a number of negative
consequences from unhealthy cholesterol levels and in severe cases lack
of fiber can greatly contribute to the development of colon cancer.
The
good news is Açaí is a great source of fiber (among numerous
other vitamins and nutrients). With the high fiber content of Açaí
you can greatly boost your fiber intake and experience improved digestion,
increased energy levels, lowering of cholesterol levels and even weight
lose. Furthermore, research has shown that fiber may help reduce the
risk of developing certain types of cancers.
Essential
Amino Acids (Protein)
Açaí is loaded with proteins, which are derived from amino
acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are necessary
and essential for life, but our bodies only produce a portion of these
essential amino acids. The remaining must be attained through our diet.
Fortunately,
the Açaí berry contains an almost perfect essential amino acid
complex. In fact, Açaí contains 8 of the 9 essential amino
acids and 16 different amino acids in total. Açaí contains
more protein than an egg, considered one of the most “complete”
sources of protein. Furthermore, the protein contained inside the Açaí
berry is organic vegetable protein. This means Açaí berries
do not generate cholesterol during digestion and the protein is processed
and transported to your muscles more efficiently than animal proteins
(such as milk, meat, or eggs). This allows for proper muscle development
and regeneration as well as increased endurance, strength, and stamina.
Two
of the more important amino acids Açaí contains are Glucosamine
and Celadrin. Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage and Celadrin
supports membranes and cushions joints. Together these two amino acids
strengthen the body and help maintain the body tissues.
Essential
Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Açaí contains two of the three Essential Fatty Acids or
EFAs (healthy fats) - Omega 6 (Linoleic acid) and Omega 9 (Oleic acid).
EFAs are named as such because they are essential to all proper cell
development and function. Every cell in the body uses EFAs and the body
does not product EFAs; they must be obtained from outside sources like
your diet with foods such as Açaí.
Research
has found that EFAs can protect your heart, maintain proper cholesterol
levels, reduce blood pressure, promote a healthy nervous system, alleviate
depression and fight cancer. Omega 6 and Omega 9 EFAs help lower LDL
(harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol)
levels and regulate blood pressure. The EFA content in the Açaí
berry resemble that of olive oil and studies suggest olive oil consumption
is a major contributing factor to the low incidence of heart disease
in Mediterranean populations.
While
the Açaí berry provides both Omega 6 and Omega 9 EFAs,
it does not contain the most important EFA Omega 3. Not to worry, we
have added Omega 3 in the form of EPH and DHA to Brazilian Basics Açaí
Advanced. By doing so we have the only Açaí
product on the market supplying you the full spectrum of EFAs in one
simple capsule. No other Açaí product can make this claim.
We have taken the world’s most nutrient rich food and made it
even BETTER!
Antioxidants:
The Açaí berry has the highest concentration of antioxidants
in world. Antioxidant content is measured using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance
Capacity or ORAC value.
It is recommended the average person get about
1670 ORAC per day, however 80% - 90% of the population do not even consume
half of the required ORAC each day. The good news is Açaí
is LOADED with antioxidants (3800 per 100 grams), twice that of pomegranates,
nearly 50% more than blueberries and 33 times that of red wine. Açaí
is equivalent to around 7 servings of your average fruit based ORAC
values.
The
main function of antioxidants is to combat and neutralize free radicals
and strengthen cells thereby increasing health and greatly reducing
the risk of many diseases. Antioxidants seek and destroy harmful free
radicals, which are molecules that can damage cells and even DNA. Once
in our bodies, free radicals cause damage to cells by oxidizing or “rusting,”
similar to an apple that turns brown after it is cut. Free radicals
come from a variety of sources including pesticides, preservatives,
air pollutants, and even our food and water.
If
our bodies do not have the proper amount of antioxidants to fight free
radicals, a number of health concerns can arise. Many studies show antioxidants
can help fight against anti-aging, cardiovascular disease (such as heart
disease and atheroscerosis), high cholesterol levels, cell mutation,
cancer, and other age related degenerative diseases (like ophthalmology
and possibly even Alzheimer’s).
One
antioxidant of the Açaí berry in particular, anthocyanin,
has shown a wide variety of health benefits. Anthocyanin is the same
antioxidant found in red wine, and is thought to be a major reason for
the low incidence of cardio vascular disease for the French even with
their high fat diet and unhealthy lifestyle. Anthocyanin has shown positive
results in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (diabetic blindness),
fibrocystic (disease of the breast), the prevention and reversal of
neurological diseases, protecting connective tissues like collagen,
maintaining and repairing proteins in the blood-vessel walls and capillaries
leading to improved blood circulation.