There is a lesson to be learned from our history of technological advances. Think about it. When personal computers went mainstream, we quickly abandoned our typewriters. The introduction of DVDs saw the eventual demise of VHS and virtually all forms of videotape. And perhaps most impressive, a towering wave of cell phones and mobile communication has crashed hard on a generation of payphones. So, in the spirit of nutritional advances, it should come as no surprise that todays vitamin C offerings are light years ahead of what we had a few years ago.
Of course, this isnt to imply that the Vitamin C weve been taking for all these years was in some way ineffective. Traditional Vitamin C supplements have served the industry well for over 70 years and will always have their place in human wellness. But, as with any genre of science-based health products, it would be difficult (and unfair) to ignore the potential of similar products that show such strong promise in improving the quality of our lives. Weve laid witness to this before; first in 1957 with the introduction of CoQ10, and then again in the 1970s with fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids. Fast forwarding to the dawn of this 2nd millennium, we once again find ourselves at the cusp of a revelation that will most certainly pave a path of good health for decades to come.
So without further ado, lets take a closer look at Amlathe new king of vitamin C.
The use of Amla fruit (Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus emblica) has been a fundamental part of Indias practice of Ayurvedic Medicine for centuries, and is one of the planets most concentrated sources of natural vitamin C.1 And despite centuries of use in Ayurvedic medicine, most health-savvy consumers are still unaware of just how concentrated it truly is. So to help put things in better perspective, lets do some simple comparisons.
It has been estimated that, gram for gram, Amla fruit extracts contain as much as 35 times as much vitamin C as limes, 30 times more than oranges, and a mind-boggling 160 times more than apples. That said, 100 grams of Amla will typically yield over 500 mg of vitamin C.2 Whats even more impressive, the vitamin C found naturally occurring in Amla is non-acidic and therefore wont cause the discomfort that many have experienced when taking traditional vitamin C supplements.3
This helps illustrate two very powerful points of interest. First, Amla appears to be an extremely potent antioxidant that utilizes a natural source of vitamin C. The vitamin C in Amla bonds with tannins, thus preventing it from being destroyed by light and heat. This helps ensure better utilization within the body. Next, supplementing Amla makes it possible for people with various stomach and digestive sensitivities to reap the life-enhancing benefits of a compound they might otherwise be unable to take.4
As mentioned earlier, these high concentrations of vitamin C have made Amla a staple among Ayurvedic practitioners. And while much of this can be attributed to the extracts strong antioxidant properties, Amlas potential extends far beyond healthy cells. Research continues to show that, based on its unique profile of active constituents, Amla seems to offer a number of beneficial effects that could not be achieved via synthesized natural-form vitamin C. We now know that Amla contains notable amounts of cytokine-like substances, such as zeatin, z. nucleotide and z. riboside, amid rich concentrations of minerals and amino acids.5
Based on its cooling, antipyretic, antiseptic and rejuvenating properties, Amla has been equally revered for the role it plays in digestion. So much in fact, that it is one of the three main fruits that comprise Triphala, a digestive tonic that contains Amla, Harada and Behada fruits. Long before it piqued the interest of vitamin C researchers, the use of Amla was considered by many Ayurvedic practitioners to be highly effective in rejuvenating the digestive system.6 It has mild laxative properties that encourage normal digestion, assists in the utilization of fats and cholesterol, modulates immune function, facilitates the elimination of toxins, fortifies the liver, supports normal cholesterol balance and prevents lipid peroxidation. And because of its strong antioxidant properties, Amla can help fight free radicals within the GI tract.7,8
Regardless of how you choose to look at it, Amlas complex profile of naturally occurring compounds makes it one of the most versatile extracts available to ever hit the consumer market. Be sure to look for a formula that contains Phyllanthus emblica extracts yielding at least 50% natural ascorbic acid, by weight.
References
1. Kaviratna AC, Sharma P (translators), Caraka-Samhita, Second Revised Edition [volume 3], 1996 Indian Books Centre, Delhi
2. Arora, BB. Development of Unani Drugs from Herbal Sources 1985, P.234 Vitamin C from Amla in equivalent to Vitamin C from Synthetic sources.
3.Ghosal S, Triethi VK, and Chauhan S, Active constituents of Emblica officinalis: Part 1.-The chemistry and antioxidative effects of two new hydrolysable tannins, Emblicanin A and B, Indian Journal of Chemistry 1996; 35B: 941-948.
4. Anonymous, Case Study on Amla-related patent, Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC) Bulletin, 2001; 7(3-4): 6-6.
5. Williamson EM (editor), Major Herbs of Ayurveda, 2002 Churchill-Livingstone, London.
6. Maharashtra Medical Journal June 1980 Volume XXV No. 35
7. International Journal of Indian Medicine July 1985 P.56.
8. Journal Research Ayurveda Sidhha 1985-6(3), P. 137-138.
Jayson Kroner is a nationally and internationally published health and fitness journalist, an IFA certified sports nutritionist and personal trainer, co-author of the book 7-Syndrome Healing, and consultant to some of the natural product industrys most well respected manufacturers.
Written By: Jayson Kroner
