Acerola Juice

AMalpighia sp. common name:acerola, Antilles cherry, Barbados cherry


Acerola juice is from the 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 and is added to many of the daily food items that we all consume.

Acerola juice 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, potassium, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin B2.

Acerola can be used as a detoxifier, a scavenger for free radicals, and an anti-histamine. When something attacks free radicals it means that it may help prevent aging and we could all use a bit of that! It may be useful 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, therefore it may help to maintain or even increase sperm counts. With the increase in chemicals in our society and the increase in stress, over the last century, sperm counts have steadily decreased.

In the case of herpes, Vitamin C in acerola juice acts with copper to eliminate virses shed by cells. It is through this action that it may also prevent cold viruses, and thereby bronchitis. In Parkinson's, this supplement assists in maintaining mental function, especially in those also taking Vitamin E. Once again it may do this by cutting down on the amount of free radicals associated with aging in the brain.

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. Forms of Vitamin C can also turn the urine a different color, so don't be alarmed by this, it is harmless. 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). Remember, always discuss supplements with your cancer doctor. Some may help, but others may interfer with chemotherapy.

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