New Research Shows Camu Camu Superfruit Improves Obesity Biomarkers
(PR.co.nz) New research published March 2013 by researchers Nascimento OV, Boleti AP, Yuyama LK, Lima ES An. Acad. Bras.Cienc.
confirmed that Camu-camu was able to improve the biochemical markers of obesity in rats.
Amazonian Camu-camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia) has attracted interest from food and cosmetics industries because of its
rich content of vitamin C, flavonoids and anthocyanins. The goal of the study was to investigate the anti-obesity action
of the ingestion of Camu-camu pulp in a rat model of diet-induced obesity - using Wistar rats with obesity induced by
receiving diet ad libitum.
The rats were divided in two groups: an experimental group that ingested 25 mL/day of Camu-camu pulp (CCG) and a
non-treated group (CG). After 12 weeks, the animals were tested. Blood, liver, heart, white adipose tissues were
collected and weighed; biochemical and inflammatory profiles were examined as well.
Animals that received the pulp of Camu-camu had reduced fat in white adipose tissues and improved biochemical profiles
of obesity including glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c and insulin blood levels. There was also an
increase in beneficial HDL-c levels. The research suggests there may be potential use for Camu-camu in the control of
obesity and as a functional food.
According to Matakana SuperFoods founder Dr Kevin Glucina the link to obesity came as a surprise to him. "We originally
introduced Camu Camu to our product range because it is nature’s number one source of vitamin C complex. We had no idea
it had potential to influence other biomarkers associated with obesity. This new research is based on a rodent model so
now we need to see a follow-up human trial. Clinical research revealing the benefits of SuperFoods is accelerating as
public interest grows about which foods provide the best naturally integrated nutrients for health.
There is a large movement away from formulated vitamin supplements and toward Superfoods and wholefoods in general. If
people realise they can get their family's daily vitamin C requirements by adding a natural superfruit powder like Camu
Camu to their daily smoothie, why would they choose to buy a synthetic vitamin C tablet that has been produced in China
from corn starch? Sure, they both have vitamin C but the wholefood Camu Camu also contains a complex of co-factors,
vitamins, minerals and health-supporting phytonutrients that are put together by nature to give you much more bang for
your buck. Not only has our digestive system evolved with wholefoods, there are also many complex mechanisms in play in
wholefoods.
Camu Camu has approximately 120 different phytochemicals; just how all those phytochemicals interact for our benefit is
a hot topic in scientific research. It is the synergistic interaction of the different compounds in Superfoods which may
be responsible for throwing up surprising benefits like those seen in this study into Camu Camu and obesity. These
complex natural substances and interactions from wholefoods and Superfoods just can’t be duplicated by chemists at this
time.Personally, the only vitamin supplement I take is vitamin D3 in winter. For the rest, in most cases, I think we can
get far better quality from good quality wholefood and Superfoods.
The results of the Camu Camu study are very exciting and certainly support the high amount of interest in this new
superfruit. The key thing I am taking away from this research is the influence that Camu Camu had on all the obesity
biomarkers like blood-sugar levels and cholesterol. Sure, the rats lost weight, but more importantly, all the biomarkers
became more healthy and that’s what’s important. I am always skeptical about claims made for one food as a cure-all for
weight loss. In my opinion, even though the research looks promising, you can’t just rely on one magic food like Camu
Camu to save you from the obesity epidemic. Lifestyle changes, the timing of diet and exercise are the most important
factors when it comes to obesity; combine that with key super-nutrients and you are heading in the right direction.
We have done a lot of work on obesity and Superfoods at Matakana - we already have a new low calorie, high-nutrient
Super Shake formula with Camu Camu and other key Superfoods like chia seeds, sacha inchi protein powder, red raspberry,
goji and maqui berry freeze-dried powders incorporated into it. The Super Shake is naturally sweetened with low G.I pure
coconut sugar, and the delicious flavor is enhanced with pure freeze-dried blueberry, banana juice and mango powders.
The Super Shake can be taken as a once-per-day meal replacement to aid weight managment or as a post-workout recharge
and is a great way for families to get a wide range of natural super-nutrients for improved general health. It is a
viable safe alternative to synthetic vitamins for the whole family and all the ingredients are naturally gluten, dairy,
preservative, coloring and GMO free.”
Camu Camu can be purchased from Matakana SuperFoods in bulk powder or capsule form and is also incorporated into the
Matakana SuperFoods “Top 10 SuperFoods Super Shake”.
ENDS