According to Dr. Lester Packer, PhD—head of Packer Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley—one of the most effective antioxidants is vitamin C. Amalaki is an unusually rich source, with each plum-sized fruit containing between 700 and 1,000 mg of heat-stable vitamin C. In fact, the amla berry is reputed to have the highest amount of naturally occurring vitamin C of any ripe fruit in the world used as a traditional food.  Research in the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology states that much of the antioxidant activity amalaki provides comes from the tannins the fruit contains—even more than its actual vitamin C content.

Heart Health Promoter
A 2007 study in the British Journal of Nutrition observed the effects of amalaki on the way lipids are metabolized under oxidative stress. The results reveal that amalaki may help prevent age-related hyperlipidemia—abnormal levels of blood fats indicating an elevated risk for heart disease—by its ability to neutralize free radicals. Amalaki further supports cardiovascular health by helping the heart to adjust to adverse conditions—by boosting key antioxidants and protecting against oxidative stress. Learn more in Part Three of this series.

Kiki

This entry was posted by Kiki Powers, MS, CNC on January 14th, 2008 under Health and Wellness with keywords .