Ganoderma Guide

The Power of Antioxidants Times Three


In the third grade I was told I could write a paper on any topic
for an English homework assignment.

I chose the subject of scurvy
as it affected sailors who were away at sea for long periods of
time and the resulting discovery of
Vitamin C as its cure. I remember
the paper well for I was literally transcended from ignorance to a
place of awe at the intricacies of the human body and its response
to nutrients.
Today, antioxidants are the word on the street. They are used to
boost energy (forget caffeine - this stuff rocks!) and these
antioxidants fight infection, and address a whole range of health
issues.


Before XanGo, Tahitian Noni, Fruta Vida, (containing,
respectively, mangosteen, goji, and acai) and now Amigo Juice (a
marriage of all three super foods), we had Vitamin C, E, and A. For
many of us, it was all about drinking that cup of orange juice at
breakfast or taking a vitamin supplement. But today, we are not
talking about just a punch but a real blow to sickness and disease,
taking the form of antioxidant rich health beverages that many
consumers swear by in their quest for wellness.
Living in today's very toxic world,
antioxidants deserve a special place in the area of
nutritional supplements and are
certainly worth examining closer to see what they are all about and
learn how we can implement them into our daily routine.


Quite simply put, at the molecular and cellular levels,
antioxidants serve to deactivate certain particles called free
radicals. In humans, free radicals usually come in the form of O2,
the oxygen molecule. The oxygen molecule desires to be oxidized,
and this oxidation process can sometimes be carcinogenic. Free
radicals are the natural by-products of many
processes within and among cells.

They are also created by exposure
to various environmental factors, tobacco
smoke and radiation. Of course, this certainly includes air quality
and all the junk we put into our bodies that our immune system is
forced to combat.
If allowed to run amok, these free radicals can cause damage to
cell walls, cell structures, and genetic material within the cell.
They are the bully on the playground and need to be dealt a firm
hand for the resulting damage can eventually lead to disease and
ultimately death.


Antioxidants play a key role in cleaning up the destruction
caused by these free radicals. They clean house before free
radicals get a chance to harm the body. Researchers have determined
that antioxidants are useful in the prevention of carcinogenic
effects of oxidation.
To that end, a variety of health companies, most notably in the
form of multi-level marketing, have cropped up offering antioxidant
rich health drinks, as captured in the pericarp, hull, pulp, rind,
basically the whole fruit, the
kitchen and its sink, ground and
mixed and served up in tasty 1 oz.

servings. Not to mention the
mangosteen fruit has introduced an entirely new classification of
antioxidants, called Xanthones with professed health benefits too
numerous to list, many years of research, and centuries of positive
use.
These antioxidant rich drinks created three distinct camps. One
decided the mangosteen is their drink of choice, goji has its
determined followers, and there is also acai (pronounced
ah-sigh-ee).

It became difficult to navigate through hype and look
for substance. According to numerous reports by customers, they all
have their benefits.
However, in March of this year, one product was introduced,
integrating all three important fruits into one single product in a
dried formula, omitting any need for pasteurization, cutting back
on the cost of shipping, and providing the most bang for the buck.
Most importantly, each of the three super foods had very distinct
benefits.

Now we have a marriage of all three fruits in one drink
in Amigo Juice.
THE BIG THREE SUPER FOODS
The following is a look at the three fruits: acai, mangosteen,
and goji.
ACAI:
The Acai berry, or Acai Fruit grows on majestic palm trees in
the Amazon Rainforest and looks like a purple marble or grape. Acai
contains high levels of Antioxidants, Omega Fatty Acids (healthy
fats), Iron, Amino Acids, Fiber, and many other vitamins and
minerals.

The people living in the Amazon region in Northern
Brazil, have consumed Acai for hundreds of years and its healing
and sustaining powers are legendary.
Acai Berry is known to harness the following properties:
Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic,
Cardiovascular System. Acai berries contain very high amounts of
essential fatty acids and omegas proven to lower LDL and maintain
HDL cholesterol levels. They also contain a remarkable
concentration of antioxidants to help combat premature aging.


Acai Berry is a dense source of a particular class of flavonoids
called anthocyanins. The ORAC value of Acai Berry is higher than
any other edible berry in the world. Acai Berry is also an
excellent source of dietary fiber. Acai is extremely rich in
organic vegetable protein which
does not generate cholesterol during its digestion and is more
easily processed and transported to your muscles than animal
protein (such as what is found in milk or meat).


Besides its outstanding content of protein and unsaturated
lipids, Acai is also rich in carbohydrates, providing your body
with the necessary energy while working or practicing any kind of
sport.
There is also an amazingly high concentration of antioxidants
useful in combating premature aging. The proanthocyanidine contents
in Acai Berries contain 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins (these are
the purple colored antioxidants) of red wine per volume. Although
the French consume a high fat
diet, they have a low incidence of
cardiovascular disease compared to the western countries.

They
contribute this factor to their consumption of red wine. Acai
Berries can help promote a healthier cardiovascular system and
digestive tract, because of its synergy of monounsaturated fats
(these are the healthy fats), dietary fiber, and phytosterols.
They provide the body with an excellent source of fiber. Fiber
promotes a healthy digestive system.

Research studies suggest
soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol. The insoluble
fiber may help to reduce the risk of developing certain types of
cancers. Essential amino acid complex along with trace minerals,
which are vital for proper muscle contraction and regeneration.
MANGOSTEEN:
The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical evergreen
tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the
Moluccas.

The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The edible fruit
is deep reddish purple when ripe. In Asia, the mangosteen fruit is
known as the "Queen of Fruits." The outer shell of the fruit
(pericarp) is rather hard, typically 4-6 cm in diameter, resembling
a spherical, black cartoon bomb.


Health benefits:
Mangosteen has compounds with antioxidant, anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal, and anti-tumor activity. Laboratory testing thus far
indicates that extracts of mangosteen have activity against several
cancer cell lines including breast, liver, and leukemia. Mangosteen
also appears to have anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory
properties. Most notably, the mangosteen provides powerful
anti-inflammatory benefits which play an important role in numerous
health conditions.


For hundreds of years, the people of Southeast Asia have used
the mangosteen, especially the rind, to ward off and treat
infections, reduce pain or control fever, and treat various other
ailments.
Most of the studies with mangosteen have focused on the
pericarp, or the dark, woody rind as opposed to the fruit inside
the woody rind. The pericarp contains the active xanthone
compounds. The fruit itself probably has some beneficial compounds
but the compounds within the mangosteen fruit have not been studied
as well as the mangosteen rind.


Several compounds in mangosteen appear to be active,
particularly xanthones. Some of these xanthones include mangostin,
mangostenol, mangostenone A, mangostenone B, trapezifolixanthone,
tovophyllin B, alpha- and beta-mangostins, garcinone B,
mangostinone, mangostanol, and the flavonoid epicatechin.
There are numerous studies available for review at
www.pubmed.

com. Just enter the word "mangosteen" to access a
list.
GOJI
Goji berries have the highest concentration of beta-carotene
among all foods on earth. Beta-carotene can be transformed into
vitamin A under the influence of human liver enzymes.

Therefore,
vitamin A ultimately plays a major influence in Lycium's actions.
Lycium's function on the eyes is related to this factor.
Lycium's vitamin B1 and B2 contents are significant and the
vitamin C content of freeze-dried Lycium has been measured to be 73
mg/100 grams. The fruit also contains vitamin C, beta-sitosterol
(an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid),
sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids
(zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.

1%).
Lycium contains 18 kinds of amino acids, of which 8 are
indispensable amino acids for the human body (such as isoleucine
and tryptophan). 50% of Lycium's amino acids are free amino acid.
Lycium contains numerous trace elements, of which the main ones are
zinc, iron and copper.

Mature fruits contain about 11 mg. of iron
per 100 grams. Ning Xia Lycium contains 45% glucose, 7% fructose
and 5.5% glucose.


HEALTH BENEFITS:
Goji Berries have been used in Tibet for at least 1,700 years.
Tibetan medicine includes these berries in the treatment of kidney
and liver problems. They are also used in Tibet to lower
cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and cleanse the blood. Goji
Berries have a long history of use in the treatment of eye
problems, skin rashes, psoriasis, allergies, insomnia, chronic
liver disease, diabetes and tuberculosis.

Goji Berries are used by
the people of Tibet to increase longevity and as a general health
strengthening tonic.
Science has shown that this bright red berry not only contains
extremely high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, but
also contains many unique phytochemicals, polysaccharides, and
complex compounds that scientists are only beginning to
understand.
Goji Berries contain the following complex
compounds:
Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce choline, a
compound that calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle
growth, and protects against fatty liver disease.
Physalin, which is active against all major types of leukemia.


It has also been used as a treatment for hepatitis B. Solavetivone,
a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound.
Beta-Sitoserol, an anti-inflammatory agent. It has been used to
treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement.

It also lowers
cholesterol.
Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood
pressure. It has also been used in the treatment of cervical
cancer.
These compounds as found in the Goji Berry are used in the
following manner: Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce
choline, a compound that calms nervousness, enhances memory,
promotes muscle growth, and protects against fatty liver disease.


Physalin, which is active against all major types of leukemia. It
has also been used as a treatment for hepatitis B. Solavetivone, a
powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound. Beta-Sitoserol,
an anti-inflammatory agent.

It has been used to treat sexual
impotence and prostate enlargement. It also lowers cholesterol.
Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood
pressure. It has also been used in the treatment of cervical
cancer.


When navigating through the myriad of choices in determining
which product to choose in today's antioxidant saturated market, it
is important to consider the following criteria: quality of
product; quantity and source of ingredient; reputation of
manufacturing company; and cost.
At one time, health products did a little bit of this and a
little bit of that. As someone who used to pop about 30 different
pills each day to get what I felt my body needed for good health,
it is exciting to see a number of products offering profound
results. These results are allowing individuals to drop their
pharmaceutical drug habit, or at the very least drop the dose,
giving the body what it craves most, all things natural.

We can do
much to combat the ill effects of toxins and poor
diet by the choices we make with
regards to nutritional supplementation.
Paula Rothstein has been involved in the natural health industry
for more than 10 years with a specific emphasis on promoting
products which address issues of chronic disease. Paula Rothstein
is a distributor for the company of Waiora. For more information,
please visit: .

medicinefreeliving.com or send questions
or comments to Paula.Rothstein@medicinefreeliving.com





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