by Dan-N on January 5, 2010
We have an Obesity issue in this country – so Weight Loss Supplements are sold as the solution to our weight problems.
We have an issue with drug addiction and crime associated with drug use, so the War on Drugs is our solution to our drug problem.
We have an issue with global warming and oil dependency, so Hybrid Cars are the solution to our energy problems.
Weight loss supplements, The War on Drugs and Hybrid Cars are all connected because they are presented as solutions to real problems, but they are actually flawed and failed solutions!
Why Our Solutions Don’t Address the Problems and Just Treat the Symptoms
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by Dan-N on December 8, 2009
Update: 12/09/09 – After you read this post, please read our next post – Acai Berry Supplements Found to Contain Dangerous Prescription Drugs – which probably explains this whole side effect mystery.
Over the past few days we have received a number of questions regarding the acai berry and potential side effects. It turns out a number of our readers were using an acai supplement and seeing some nasty side effects. We heard reports of upset stomachs, rashes and increased blood pressure and what felt like a “racing heart”. We decided to dig a little deeper…
What Happened to Acai Berry Being Side Effect Free?
As the Acai Berry is a fruit, it is generally considered to be free of side effects (unless you have a food allergy to Acai). In following up with our readers who had problems, we quickly located the issue. People using acai supplements with other ingredients added were the ones having the side effects.
Correction – Pure Acai Berry Supplements Are Side Effect Free
A product like the Perfect Acai, which is 100% Pure Organic Freeze Dried Acai – and absolutely nothing else added – is generally going to be side effect free. The problem is that many of the Acai products on the market mix in a wide range of other ingredients. The “Weight Loss Acai Supplements” are the worst when it comes to mixing in potentially unsafe ingredients. We have seen acai supplements loaded with caffeine and other thermogenic ingredients.
In emailing with the people who thought they were having side effects from Acai, it became clear that the side effects were mostly likely caused by the other ingredients in their Acai supplements.
To Avoid Acai Berry Side Effects, stay Pure and Organic!
We highly recommend that people looking to use Acai, stick with a pure and organic product such as the Perfect Acai. It is highly unlikely you will have side effects from a pure Acai berry product, and if by some chance you do, you will at least know your issue is with Acai and not some other ingredient.
Our Standard Disclaimer – We Are Not Giving Medical Advice
Nothing we say here should be taken as medical advice. If you have any specific medical questions you should consult with your doctor. While most fruits, including Acai, tend to be free of side effects – you should consult with your doctor before starting any new supplementation program.
by Dan-N on December 7, 2009
When it comes to superfruits like Acai, muscadines and resveratrol – you often see claims about how these fruits can help with cardiovascular function or cholesterol levels. What is interesting is that very few sites actually get into the science of how these fruits can work their magic. Let’s dig a little deeper…
I Guess Scientific Names Sound Better than “Fruit Filling”
You know all that stuff that make up a fruits – we call it pulp, fruit filling or fruit stuff – but that is not very scientific and way too easy to pronounce. Here are some technical terms for all the good stuff in fruit…
- Plants and Fruits are made up of stuff! The broad term for the top level components in plants and fruits are Polyphenols. There are over 10,000 different Polyphenols in the plant kingdom.
- Because biologist love to classify things, there are groups that fall under Polyphenols. Flavonoids are a large group of components in the Polyphenol class. So, while there are thousands of different flavonoids, all flavonoids are part of the larger Polyphenol grouping.
- You like words you can’t pronounce? How about Proanthocyanidins (or oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPC) or Anthocyanins? These are things that fall under the Flavonoid group. Isn’t biology fun?
We will stop there – not because the classifications end, but just because we realize your finger is probably just about to hit the close button on your browser!
Going to a party and want to impress everyone with your knowledge of Resveratrol? Try this one out on them –
Resveratrol is a phytoalexin. Phytoalexins are flavonoids. All flavonoids are Polyphenols. So, Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, flavonoid and polyphenol!
What Does Any of This Have to Do With How Fruits Help With Cholesterol?
Sorry, the boring biology lesson on terms that no one can pronounce is now over. What is important to take away from the above is that fruits, and especially superfruits like Muscadine and Acai, are packed with all these nutrients and antioxidants. Many of the polyphenols in Acai and Muscadine are powerful antioxidants. Resveratrol, anthocyanins, OPCs – all powerful antioxidants.
How Do Antioxidants Help With Cholesterol?
I am sure you have hear about the “good and bad” cholesterol. It is generally accepted that LDL Cholesterol is the bad cholesterol and HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. While on a simple level this is true, it is actually a little bit more complicated when it comes to when LDL Cholesterol starts causing real health issues.
Oxidized LDL Cholesterol – The Really Bad Cholesterol
What is worse than having high levels of LDL Cholesterol? Having high levels of Oxidized LDL Cholesterol! Oxidized LDL Cholesterol is exactly what its name suggests, LDL cholesterol that has been attacked by free radicals and becomes oxidized. Numerous studies have found a strong correlation between high levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol and heart disease. In fact, the correlation between Oxidized LDL Cholesterol and heart disease is much stronger than the correlation between LDL cholesterol (not oxidized) and heart disease. Clearly, you want to do what you can to avoid Oxidized LDL Cholesterol.
How All Fruits (including Acai and Muscadine Grapes) Can Help
Nobody eats food that has Oxidized LDL Cholesterol. We eat foods with LDL Cholesterol and the oxidation happens inside our body due to free radicals. Fruits are high in antioxidants and superfruits like Acai and Muscadine Grapes are really high in antioxidants. It is the antioxidants in fruits that can help battle the free radicals and give you the best chance of keeping LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and becoming really bad cholesterol!
People often think of antioxidants helping with skin tone, the immune system or general energy levels and while this is all correct, they can really help on a much deeper level. Oxidation does not just lead to skin spots and other skin issues, oxidation works on a cellular level and can cause serious health issues. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants is one of the best ways to keep oxidation in check, keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and sure, it can help your skin look better to!
Our Standard Disclaimer – We Are Not Giving Medical Advice
Nothing we say here should be taken as medical advice. We are not making any health claims about what a fruit can do for you. Simply, we believe a healthy diet, rich in fruits, can provide benefits. If you have any specific medical questions you should consult with your doctor. High oxidized LDL Cholesterol levels and heart disease are very serious issues and you should work with your doctor to correct any issues you may have.
by Dan-N on November 16, 2009
There is no question that Resveratrol supplements are very popular. If you are new to Resveratrol, you can read our Special Report on Resveratrol, Learn about Resveratrol Health Benefits, See Resveratrol in the News and discover what goes into a Resveratrol Supplement.
With Great Popularity Also Comes Great Deception
The supplement industry would love for you to think that all resveratrol supplements are the same. If you are busy trying to find the best resveratrol supplement you are missing a more important question – do you even want Resveratrol in your Resveratrol Supplement? Yes, we are starting to sound a little like Yogi Berra here (one of our favorites – “Baseball is 90% mental — the other half is physical.”) – let’s explain…
Trans-Resveratrol the Real Deal Resveratrol
Resveratrol actually has two parts to it – Trans-Resveratrol and Cis-Resveratrol…
While the components in Trans-Resveratrol and Cis-Resveratrol are the same, the structure and bonds are different. The science gets a little complicated, but research has consistently shown that only Trans-Resveratrol is stable and has positive health benefits.
Why Your Resveratrol Supplement May Only be 50% Trans-Resveratrol
Resveratrol is 50% Trans-Resveratrol and 50% Cis-Resveratrol. So take a look at these two labels -
While it may look like Label A is a better Resveratrol Supplement – it is not! Label A actually only has 175mg of Trans-Resveratrol (the other 175mg is Cis-Resveratrol). Label B is a much smarter choice with 198mg of Trans-Resveratrol.
Now you know the Secret – when shopping for Resveratrol Supplements, make sure you see 99% Trans-Resveratrol listed in the ingredients!
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