Acerola

AMalpighia sp. common name:acerola, Antilles cherry, Barbados cherry
Acerola, or Barbados cherry is a bushy tree native to the West Indies and to northern South America. The fruit is about the size of a cherry and can be eaten fresh, canned or in jams and jellies. It is a commercial source of Vitamin C.

Acerola also has anti-oxidant benfits and contains provitamin A, which intensifies the effects of Vitamin C. In addition it has carotene content equivalent to carrots and magnesium, niacin, porassium, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin B2.

Acerola can be used as a detoxifier, a scavenger for free radicals, an anti-histamine in the following conditions:

• Aging
• Allergies
• Athrosclerosis
• Bronchitis
• Cancer prevention
• Colds and flu
• Glaucoma
• Herpes
• Infertility
• Parkinson's Disease

For infertility, this refers to low male sperm counts. Several studies have shown that Vitamin C supplementation is a good as fertility enhancing drugs. In the case of herpes, Vitamin C in acerola acts with copper to eliminate virses shed by cells. In Parkinson's, this supplement assists in maintaining mental function, especially in those also taking Vitamin E.

Dosing

You should probably start with a minimum of 200mg per day and work up to 500-1000mg per day over several weeks. The main side effects can be bloating, gas, loose stools or diarrhea. People who feel well can tolerate 2000-12,000mg per day. For those who do not feel, a higher dose of 10,000 to 30,000 may be needed. Once health is restored, the dose can be lowered.

Dr. Andrew Weil, the famous alternative therapy physician, has recommended 10,000mg per day for post-op healing due the fact that Vitamin C promotes collegen production and thereby heals the wound. I have seen this requested by patients in the hospital, and the hospital pharmacy made an IV infusion for the patient to have daily after surgery. The exception is cancer surgery where Vitamin C should be avoided post-op.

NOTE:Acerola should be avoided in patients with hemochromatosis as this increases iron absorption. It should also be avoided during chemotherapy with agents designed to deprive cancer cells of vitamin C, such and Alkeran (melphalan).

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