Camu Camu Supplement can Boost Your Health in Many Ways
Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) grows primarily in flooded areas of the Amazon rainforest in South America, where has long been used by indigenous people for medicinal purposes, for its anti-viral properties, and for its energy enhancing effects. The fruit are about the size and color of a tangerine, and absolutely packed full of vitamin C, containing more than 50 times the vitamin C content of a lemon or orange (in fact recognized as the single densest source of vitamin C in nature,) as well as many other valuable nutrients. It is very highly prized in Japan for its health benefits, and was even touted by Dr Oz on his TV show in 2014.
Camu camu is a rich source of: Vitamin C, Potassium, flavonoids, amino acids Leucine, Serine, and Valine, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Iron, Phosphorus, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Thiamine.
Its recent renown has stemmed predominantly from its high vitamin C content. It has been increasingly recognized as a better way to get vitamin C than commonly used ascorbic acid supplements. Synthetic vitamin C is missing essential co-factors, so it is not readily absorbed or utilized by the body. Even though Dr. Szent-Gyorgi won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1937 for isolating vitamin C and for recognizing its critical role in human health, he insisted that the amazing benefits of vitamin C are much more significant when derived from natural food sources.
Because camu camu is in its natural food form, with amino acids, bioflavanoids, phytochemicals, anthocyanins, and other key nutrients, clinical evidence bears out that it is a far more effective source, milligram for milligram, than synthetic Vitamin C. Some supplements manufacturers have realized this and are adding camu camu as the primary source of their vitamin C instead of ascorbic acid.
Cited often, one study tested 20 male smokers who were given camu camu juice versus another group who took vitamin C tablets daily for a week. The group who consumed camu camu showed a decrease in certain markers for oxidative stress at the end of the study, compared to no change for those who had vitamin C tablets. It showed that the choice to derive vitamin C from supplements is simple -- camu camu is much more beneficial than synthetic vitamin C.
Vitamin C, along with other nutrients and antioxidants in camu camu, helps to prevent and mitigate disease-causing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which lowers risk of disease, physical degeneration and aging, and even has anti-cancer properties. Studies showed effects on immune function, as well as mild anti-viral effects. It is used to detoxify and to enhance immune response, feeding the body nutrients to maintain homeostasis and defend against foreign invaders like viral and bacterial infections. An article collating health care practitioner reports on camu camu use for medicinal purposes suggested results for things like reducing recovery times for, or putting shingles completely into remission, faster healing of cold sores and outbreaks, genital herpes, and even the improvements for sufferers of the Epstein-Barr type of chronic fatigue.
Additionally, published research suggests that Vitamin C supports serotonin levels in the brain, which may explain its popular use as a mood enhancer.
Traditional uses include as a support for the nervous system, helping maintain healthy eyesight and preventing degenerative vision loss, and for the muscular system, with its array of vitamins, amino acids, trace minerals and other nutrients, helping improve both the function and strength of your muscles, as well as supporting healthy collagen, ligaments and tendons.
In a 2010 study (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010 ) researchers found camu camu to contain high amounts of ellagic acid, which showed anti-diabetic effects in some research, as well as reducing oxidative stress, improving heart strength and even preventing some carcinogens from being able to bind to DNA.
Camu camu is not easy to procure in most western countries, so if you are looking for a high quality organic source for your daily dietary needs, check out our remarkable ResveraYouth anti-oxidant supplement, containing more than 200% of your RDA of natural form vitamin C from camu camu alone!
References:
Inoue T, Komoda H, Uchida T, Node K. "Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties." J Cardiol. 2008 Oct;52(2):127-32.
Null, Gary. A Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, Seven Stories Press, New York, N.Y., 1997.
Zanatta CF, Cuevas E, Bobbio FO, Winterhalter P, Mercadante AZ. "Determination of anthocyanins from camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) by HPLC-PDA, HPLC-MS, and NMR." J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Nov 30;53(24):9531-5.
Content and other information presented on the site is not meant to constitute medical advice or be any substitute for professional advice, counseling, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard professional medical or mental health advice from your physician or other qualified health provider. If you are making changes to your regimen, always consult your doctor first.
