Camu Camu’s main growing areas are near the Peruvian border with Brazil, and the fruits are the size of lemons. Due to its high vitamin C content, Camu Camu is becoming a widely used ingredient in dietary supplements. Camu Camu also contains calcium, beta-carotene, protein, leucine, thiamin, valine and serine. The Camu Camu fruit contains the highest documented quantity of natural vitamin C on Earth. It has up to three times more vitamin C than Acerola. Compared to oranges, Camu Camu has 30 times more vitamin C, three times more niacin, ten times more iron, double the amount of riboflavin and 50% more phosphorus. Camu Camu also contains 711mg of potassium per kilogram, and provides a full complement of minerals and amino acids that can improve the absorption of vitamin C.
Benefits
100% Natural Wild-Crafted Vitamin C*
Camu Camu is one of the richest natural sources of this potent antioxidant vitamin in the world. Every gram of Best Camu Camu 4:1 extract contains at least 200 mg of natural, wild-crafted vitamin C. This is in addition to a synergistic host of additional nutrients that potentially enhance the uptake of the antioxidants in the extract.
Vitamin C is critical to numerous organs and systems throughout the body. It serves as an important cofactor in a number of physiological processes that occur on a daily basis. Vitamin C protects molecules including lipids, proteins and DNA from free radical damage and serves to regenerate other potent antioxidants, including vitamin E. Vitamin C is also a required factor for the synthesis of collagen and connective tissue, plays a prominent role in energy production, helps in the formation of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, and supports immune health.1 An adequate daily supply of vitamin C is necessary for the maintenance of these and other critical physiological processes.
Strengthens Antioxidant Defenses*
Anthocyanin compounds, such as cyanidin-3-glucoside found prominently in camu camu fruit, are natural pigments responsible for the brilliant colors seen in fruits.2 They also possess significant antioxidant activities as well as other potential health benefits. Furthermore, studies show that anthocyanin compounds are rapidly absorbed in humans and other mammals. Recent studies have shown that the stomach and small intestines are the predominant sites of absorption into the bloodstream.3
Research conducted on cyanidin-3-glucoside confirms its potent antioxidant activity. In vitro assays have been performed evaluating markers of free radical damage including DNA cleavage, free radical scavenging capacity and xanthine oxidase activity. In this study, cyanidin-3-glucoside showed protective effects on DNA cleavage, inhibition of xanthine oxidase and dose-dependent free radical scavenging abilities.4 Studies in rats also confirm the beneficial effects of this anthocyanin. In one such study, feeding this compound to rats was shown to increase the resistance of rat serum to oxidative changes, suggesting a potent antioxidant effect of this compound.5
Camu Camu is a potent source of cyanidin-3-glucoside and has a high content of the ubiquitous, water-soluble antioxidant, vitamin C. Together, these nutrients serve to strengthen antioxidant defenses against free radical damage*. Best Camu Camu 4:1 Extract provides a natural, wholesome way to infuse the body with its daily requirement for vitamin C and additional free radical-fighting anthocyanin compounds.
Scientific References
1. Linus Pauling Institute. Micrnutrient Information Center. Monograph on “Vitamin C”. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/
2. Zanatta CF, et al. Determination of Anthocyanins from Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) by HPLC-PDA, HPLC-MS, and NMR. J Agric Food Chem 2005. 53: 9531-9535.
3. Talavera S, et al. Anthocyanins are efficiently absorbed from the small intestine in rats. J Nutr 2004. 134: 2275-2279.
4. Acquaviva R, et al. Cyanidin and cyanidin 3-O-beta-D -glucoside as DNA cleavage protectors and antioxidants. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2003 Aug;19(4):243-52.
5. Tsuda T, et al. Dietary cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside increases ex vivo oxidation resistance of serum in rats. Lipids. 1998 Jun;33(6):583-8. |
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