Acai and Your Cholesterol

The numbers of Americans who suffer from high cholesterol continues to rise each year. In addition to this startling information is the fact that, with the high fast food intake of school aged children, the number will include those in their teens, or younger. This increase will result in a growing number of those taking the statins. Unfortunately, taking this prescription medication will likely introduce the medication user to many side effects including memory loss and depression to anaphylaxis. As a result, people are turning to more natural and less drastic methods such as acai.

Let's take a look at what this age old "super fruit" can do to help bring those cholesterol numbers under control.

What effect does acai have on blood cholesterol?

Acai has been dubbed the "super fruit" from Brazil. The indigenous people have consumed this food for thousands of years and have enjoyed cardiovascular protection. New to the United States, many are discovering the immeasurable health benefits that acai bestow. One of those is the lowering of cholesterol.

Acai is high in omega 3, 6 and 9 all of which are essential fatty acids (EFA) that help clear the body of unwanted cholesterol. Specifically, these EFAs clear the body of the LDL (low density lipoprotein) or "bad" cholesterol that in excessive amounts can clog blood vessels and lead to heart attack, strokes and high blood pressure. At the same time, they increase the high density lipoproteins (HDL) or "good" cholesterol.

Acai is also full of antioxidants, which battle the effects of free radical damage, thus making it an important weapon in delaying some of the effects of aging and in fighting disease such as diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Acai is also high in beta-sitosterol which also is important in lowering cholesterol. It inhibits its absorption in the small intestine. Beta sitosterol has also received attention for its use in Europe in prostate and breast cancers.

A cause for concern in obtaining the nutritional benefits of acai has been that the fruit perishes in 24 hours. However, with modern refrigeration techniques, most of its beneficial protective properties have been preserved.

Check with your nutritionist or physician regarding the addition of this wonderful fruit to your diet to help control those cholesterol numbers.

Sherl Wilsher is a nurse who is dedicated to writing about natural health and beauty topics. As the numbers of folks is growing who are tired of the adverse effects of chemicals, preservatives and drugs on health, these individuals are looking for sources of reliable information in educating themselves on important health topics.

For more information on health and beauty, please visit: sherelynne.blogspot.com sherelynne.blogspot.com