Acai- A Natural Stress Fighter

By Mirko Albrecht, Dipl.-qualified NC.

We know two types of Stress

Acute stress and chronic stress. Acai can help to prevent and treat all stress types. 

Acute stress is a type of stress with low level of inter alia epinephrine. Here you need several nutritions to boost the secretions of stress hormons.

Acai is a good source of vitamins such as vitamin C, E, B1, B2, B3 and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, chromium, copper, potassium.

Chronic stress is a form of stress with i.a. increase secretion of catecholamines. Adrenaline and nor adrenaline belong to the group of Catecholamine and/or the stress hormone Cortisol.

Several researchers have found, that sugar the stresshormons secretion decreases.  All fruits contain natural sugar, Acai too. Table sugar is unhealthy, because it decreases the stress resistance, causes deficits of several stress related nutritions and increases the risk to oxidative stress.

But Acai is a powerful fruit-package and it has a low glycemic index and therefore is freeze dried acai powder an ideal support for diabetics.

Stress is very diverse. Below I have listed some stressful situations for which Acai is especially recommended.

The Immune-Stress System

Our immune system is a very important “control centre” of stress. Too much stress (or/and low stress resistance) can weaken our immune system by causing an imbalance in our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and reducing our body’s neutrophil activity natural killer cells (NK-Cells). The vitamins and minerals contained within Acai can help regulate the HPA axis, thus helping protect the body’s natural defence against disease.

Chemicals in our Environment

Our bodies have to fight daily against the effects of chemical substances and pollutants found in our foods, medications and environment. These chemicals produce free radicals in the body, causing oxidative stress, and can lower the body’s ability to absorbe the vitamins and minerals from our diet, causing deficiency of several nutrients. Acai is rich source of powerful antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotinoids, which can help to reduce the negative impact of the chemicals in our environment.

Heavy Metals and High Blood Pressure

Heavy metals are present in our environment from a wide range of sources, including cigarette smoke, cosmetics, household dust, pesticides and much more. High levels of environmental related heavy metals in the body cause oxidative stress. In particular, heavy metals such as lead, mercury or cadmium have been found to cause elevated blood pressure, which in turn can lead to other serious health-related issues. Antioxidants-rich foods in the diet, such as Acai, are therefore very important in neutralizing the effects of heavy metals.

Freeze dried Acai powder is for me an excellent natural supplement to aid the body’s natural ability to help counter the effects of stress. Acai is a powerful antioxidant and immune-support food.

Acai Extracts show Brain Health Potential

Extracts from Acai may enhance the ‘neuronal housekeeping function’ & potentially protect the brain as we age, suggests new research.

The brain’s natural housekeeping mechanism is called autophagy and involves the controlled degradation of cells, including the recycling of toxic proteins. This system declines naturally as we age, but new research suggests that berry extracts may enhance the process and contributes towards brain health.

Researchers at the USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston presented their findings recently at the Society of Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.

Super fruits from Central and South America

Acai berries (pronounced ah-sigh-ee), have long formed part of the staple diet of Indian tribes. With the appearance of a purple grape and taste of a tropical berry, it has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties thanks to a high level of anthocyanins, pigments that are also present in low levels in red wine.

It is presently being sold in a number of countries, including New Zealand, Australia, South America, Japan, USA, and the Middle East

New data

Led by the late James Joseph from Tufts University, the researchers investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of acai extracts in the main defense cells of the brain – the microglia – in rodents. “Microglial activation can result in the generation of cytotoxic intermediates and is associated with a variety of age-related and neurodegenerative conditions,” explained the researchers.

Results presented in San Diego indicated that extracted fractions of the acai pulp protected against the release of pro-inflammatory compounds including COX-2 and TNF-alpha.

“These results suggest that acai may contribute to ‘health span’ in aging, as it is able to combat some of the inflammatory and oxidative mediators of aging at the cellular level,” wrote the researchers.

Fifteen Fat-Burning Foods and Beverages

Wouldn’t it be great if you could wave a magic wand and watch as your belly fat completely disappeared? But since we can’t count on a fairy godmother to show up anytime soon, we have to keep ourselves in check via healthy foods like these!

Fruits
 

Grapefruit: Want to ingest fewer calories during meal time? Eating half a grapefruit prior to gathering around the dinner table can help fill you up enough to where you are able to resist that second helping of tortellini. The plentiful amounts of soluble fiber in grapefruit slow down the digestion process.

Watermelon: Everyone has experienced the stuffed feeling that comes from this colorful fruit. The water invades the space that your stomach leaves open for food, thus making you less likely to pig out. Apples and pears produce a similar result, too.

Berries: If Hollywood still made horror films based around foods, The Attack of the Killer Sweet Tooth could easily be the name of a new thriller. Instead of allowing yourself to succumb to the temptation of a cookie, pop some blackberries or strawberries into your mouth. Frozen blueberries also provide the illusion of enjoying a cold, high-calorie treat (step away from the Häagen-Dazs!). Of course the acai berry fits in this category  BUY acai now

Veggies

 
Cucumber: Refreshing and crunchy, is there anything better? Cucumber has very few calories and helps to stave off liver disease and pancreatic cancer, and even keeps your nails looking amazing due to the high mineral content. Keep a few slices in the fridge for a nourishing bite!

Hot peppers: Although they haven’t been directly linked to weight loss, spicy habaneros or jalapeños aid in curbing the desire to gorge since we typically eat less when our food has a fiery flavor. Hot peppers also comprise the compound capsaicin, which speeds up the metabolism.

Celery: If you’re a self-proclaimed snacker, celery will be your best friend. Not only does it satisfy the need to eat something, but it has virtually no calories (one cup of celery equals a measly nineteen calories). Tip: instead of adding cream cheese or peanut butter to the stalk, give fat-free cottage cheese or fat-free black bean dip a go!

Protein
 

Greek yogurt: Some of us can’t stand traditional yogurt, but when it’s this thick and creamy we will race down to our favorite market just to stock up on it. Besides its wonderful texture, Greek yogurt “keeps you satisfied longer,” according to sports nutritionist Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, because all proteins take their sweet time leaving your stomach.

Eggs: Start the day off right with seven grams of protein! Having an egg in the morning will keep your body busy because digesting eggs burns more calories than a carb-infested breakfast.

Fish: It has been engrained in our brains that fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. But did you know that wild salmon, tuna, and sardines all make your body more responsive to the fat-burning hormone leptin, which is responsible for suppressing your appetite? If you won’t eat fish, turkey can also help you ditch the extra pounds, as it encourages the release of tryptophan, which helps you sleep. Remember: lack of sleep wreaks havoc on your waistline!