Amla- A Small but Super Fruit

Amla-A Small but Super Fruit

Amla –Indian Goosbarry

"Amla is better than Vitamin C of the synthetic form." ~ Andrew, Illinois

Amla is the richest source of Vitamin C in natural form (30 times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges), and contains rich minerals, amino acids and pectin.

 Amla's antioxidant Vitamin C, unlike synthetic Vitamin C, does not lose its value through processing due to the presence of tannins in Amla.

Pharmacological Properties of Amla

Amla is a proven antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-mutagenic, yeast inhibiting, nematicidal, anabolic, anti-hepatoxic, anti-hyperhidrosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-histaminic, anti-spasmodic, hypolipidemic, and hypotensive relieving properties.

Benefits of Amla

·         Anti aging:   Being rich in Vitamin C, amla has great antioxidant properties. It helps in fighting free radicals that are responsible for ageing and cell degeneration.

·         Weight Loss : people who have a tendency to gain weight easily tend to have poor metabolism. The better your metabolism, the better the body's ability to burn fat and keep you slim. As amla enhances metabolism, it helps you lose weight faster.

·         Healthy Skin : Regular use of pain killers, antibiotics and medication, regular intake of alcohol, all cause toxin build-up in the liver. Amla helps strengthen the liver, and rid the body of these toxins. It thus helps purify and clean the blood. This is why amla is good for the skin, and if taken in combination with neem, it can help clear out pimples that are caused due to impure blood.

·          Control hair loss: Its internal use as well as its local application on scalp helps to control hair loss. It stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and also improves texture of the hair. It also prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff.

·         Lower Cholesterol: Amla's pectin decreases serum cholesterol in human beings. It inhibits platelets aggregation and lowers cholesterol levels. Amla has been shown in studies to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by 16% while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol by 25%. Amla juice contains polyphenols which helps to control high blood pressure.

·          Control sugar level: It is also very useful in controlling blood sugar level. Amla contains chromium. It has a  therapeutic value in diabetes. It is known to stimulate the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin. This decreases the blood sugar.

·          Improves eyesight: It is very useful in improving eyesight. It also counters diseases like reddening, itching and watering of eyes. It has also shown some good results in cataracts.

·         Amla ensures better digestion of food and also balances stomach acid.

·         Amla  is associated with fortification of liver and nourishment of the brain, resulting in better mental functioning.

·         Iron and various other minerals are not always easily absorbed by the body. Amla is a fruit that enhances food absorption and thus helps you get the most out of the food you eat. It helps the body digest food better and assimilate minerals like iron.

·         . It also strengthens the body's central nervous system. It is a gentle laxative and helps cure constipation

These are just some of the reasons to include an amla in your daily diet.

Live Smart with Omega

             LIVE SMART WITH OMEGA

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

Essential Fatty Acid, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesized them. The term “ essential fatty acid” refers to fatty acids require for biological processes, and not those that only act as a fuel. Only two fatty acids are known for humans: alpha-linolenic (an omega three fatty acid) and linoleic acid (an omega six fatty acid).Other fatty acid that are only “conditionally essential” include gamma-linolenic acid (an omega six fatty acid),lauric fatty acid ( a saturated fatty acid),and paimitolic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid).

OMEGA SMART

OMEGA 3 FATTY  ACID & HEALTHY SKIN

       These fatty acids are responsible for regulating cell function. They maintain the integrity of cellular walls and aloe transference of waste and water. This function plays a big part in skin health.

SKIN CELLS AND FATTY ACIDS

    Youthful skin is full of plump, water-filled cells. A skin cell’s ability to hold water decreases with age. A healthy skin cell has a healthy membrane, which keeps good things in. Like water and nutrients, and allows waste products to pass out. It is a fatty acids job to keep that cell healthy it’s membrane functioning. Not getting enough essential fatty acids results in unstable membranes that cannot keep their buoyant shape, which in turn leads to saggy aged skin.

HEALTHY SKIN

HELPS WITH CELLULITE

Depending on their genetics, even the thinnest of super models sometimes must struggle with the bumpy appearance of fat deposits pressing against the skin.  However, essential fatty acids might help in the battle. There is evidence to suggest that the healthier and more supple your skin cells. The less intense the appearance of cellulite. Consuming plenty of essential fatty acids will give your skin cell more fullness and flexibility, and thereby possibly reducing the appearance of cellulite.

PREVENTIVE ACNE

Soft non-oily skin is among the skin types least likely to suffer acne flare-ups. Acne  occurs when glands over produce the substance keratin and sebum. They clog skin pores and result in skin infections. Essential fatty acids have a two-fold benefit for acne. First , they cause healthy cell transference , which helps dissolves the fatty deposits that block pores and cause acne. They also work to repair the skin damaged by pimples and blemishes.

THE BEST FOOD FOR HEALTHY SKIN

FLEX SEED

WALNUTS

SALMON and CANOLA OIL

These food eaten in moderation , all contain enough of these fatty acids to have a positive effect in your skin.

OMEGA-3S AND BRAIN HEALTH

The omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important ingredient for optimal brain function. Earl Mindell , RPh PhD, writes in Earl Mindell’s supplement bible. “There is a reason why fish is known as brain food. It is a rich source of DHA, a fatty acid that is found in high concentration in the gray matter of the brain. DHA is instrumental in the function of brain cell membranes, which are important for the transmission of brain signals.” By making cell membrane more fluid, omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, improve communication between the brain cells, according to Mind boosters author Dr. Ray Sahelia. As a result, lack of omega-3 in the body can cause a communication breakdown in the brain , which is probably the last place you’d want such a breakdown to happen.

Omega-3 fatty acids are so important to the development and proper maintenance of the brain that “some scientist even postulate that it was the ingestion of omega-3 EFAs that allowed the brain to evolve to the next stage in human development,” according to superfoods authors Steven G. Pratt and Kathy Mathews . While omega-3s were abundant in our diets before the 20^th  century, they are now seriously lacking. The Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing write in The Folk Remedy Encyclopaedia,  Just like a machine, your brain need a oil—in the form of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids—to run smoothly.

Unfortunately , the average diet doesn’t contain the right balance of these fatty acids. If you eat typical modern diet. You probably get plenty of omega-6 through corn, soybean, and other oils in processed food. But omega-3 oils, which are just as important are often missing.

DIETARY SOURCES

      Fish, plant, and nut oils are primary source of omega-3 fatty acids. Very good source of these fats include scallps, cauliflower, cabbage, cloves and mustered seeds. Good sources of these fats include halibut , shrimp, cod, tuna, soybeans, tofu, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts. EPA and DHA are found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna, and herring. ALA is found in flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola ( rapeseed) oil, soybeans, soybeans oil, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil, walnuts and walnut oil. The health effects of omega-3 fatty acids come mostly from EPA and DHA, ALA from flax and other vegetarian sources needs to be converted in the body to EPA and DHA.

Recommendations

·       EPA 1-2 % of dietary calories for adults

·       Omega-3 fatty acids0.2-1% of total calories

·       EPA & DHA greater than 650mg/ day

·       WHO recommended 0.8-1g daily of ALA & 0.3-0.5g of omega-3 fatty acids