What are Acai Berries and Acai Berry Juice -- What Are the Health Benefits?

We have all heard about acai berries? But what about the health benefits of acai berries and berry juice? Acai berries are highly promoted by marketers who say it’s one of the top superfoods with anti-aging and weight loss properties. Some manufacturers use acai berries in beauty products. But do scientific studies support these claims of acai benefits?

How to Enjoy Nutritious Exotic Fruits
What is the acai berry? The acai berry is a 1" long reddish, purple fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree, which is native to South America, especially Brazil.

Research on the acai berry has focused on its possible antioxidant activity. Theoretically, that activity may help prevent diseases caused by oxidative stress such as heart disease and cancer.

Is the acai berry healthy? Acai contains several substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids. anthocyanin comes from two Greek words meaning “plant” and “blue.” Anthocyanins are responsible for the colorful hues in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Foods that are richest in anthocyanins -- such as blueberries, red grapes, red wine, and acai -- are very strongly colored, ranging from deep purple to black.

Anthocyanins and flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help defend the body against life's stressors. They also play a role in the body's cell protection system. Free radicals are harmful by-products produced by the body. Eating food rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process by neutralizing free radicals.

By lessening the destructive power of free radicals, antioxidants may help reduce the risk of some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
Are there known health benefits of acai?

Some studies show that acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity with even more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. Studies are ongoing, though, and the jury is still out.

People eat acai berries to address various health conditions. But so far, acai berries have no known health benefit that’s any different than that of other similar fruits.

Research supports eating a diet rich in antioxidants. There’s no doubt that berries and other fruits are a key part of any healthy diet promoting weight loss. The jury’s still out on whether there is something special about acai’s ability to shed excess pounds.

Dr. Tim's Weight Loss Plan

With Acai Detox-Rx, Brazilian Acai Juice & Jungle Juice

This is a really simple plan. We have combined the most effective ingredients to support and aid you in your efforts to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our products are designed to follow the oath I took as a young doctor to “First Do No Harm”. Begin with the “Jump Start” option using our Dr. Tim’s Acai Detox-Rx for a clean start. This will help you flush toxins, fat & free radicals while eliminating excess water weight. This fresh and healthy cellular Detox will help to support your body as you follow through with the rest of the plan below.

#1. DR. TIM’S ACAI DETOX-Rx ALL NATURAL DIETARY CLEANSE FORMULA

I developed Dr. Tim’s Acai Detox-Rx to help those who want an effective and efficient detoxifying agent in an easy to drink juice. It is a great way to jump start your cleansing program and goes along with your diet and weight loss efforts. I recommend that you use our Detox-Rx 2 days prior to starting the Weight Loss Plan for optimum effect.

Dr. Tim’s Acai Detox-Rx combines the powerful antioxidants of Acai with one of the most effective cleansing herbal blends, our own proprietary DT27 Complex. Acai is a remarkable fruit and provides powerful antioxidants that help with cleansing and rejuvenation. But Acai alone won’t do the job nearly as well without our DT27 Complex. DT27 Complex was designed to affect an efficient and thorough cleansing and detoxification flushing toxins, fat and free radicals from the body. This all natural scientifically designed and medically approved formula supports metabolic restoration and cellular rejuvenation eliminating excess water weight and bloating.

Dr. Tim’s Acai Detox-Rx tastes great. When mixed properly it has a delicious Acai tea flavor that makes it an easy addition to your personal health-care plan. It is gentle yet effective and you will be pleased with the results.
#2. Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai

Juice Next, I recommend that you take 1 ounce of Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai in the morning and then again 30 minutes before your evening meal. You may also supplement with more Acai during the day if you get hungry. It works great to help you overcome those “munchy/snacky” times of the day. The Acai works to provide powerful antioxidants, anthocyanins, fiber, protein, vitamins, iron and other nutrients that help cleanse and support your body functions to boost your efforts at weight loss. You can add additional Acai shots throughout the day as needed.
#3. Dr. Tim’s Jungle Juice
All natural real energy

Then you will take at least ½ of the Jungle Juice mid morning and the other half mid afternoon to safely boost your energy levels. You may drink the entire bottle of Jungle Juice in the morning or afternoon as well. Remember that Jungle Juice will provide hours of focused energy. Jungle Juice works by fueling your energy plant in your cells called the Mitochondria. It then works to mobilize fat to be burned as fuel and create more energy for you. Then it delivers a powerful appetite suppressant to stave off the munchies.
#4. Low Glycemic Food Plan

I recommend that you follow a low-glycemic diet and that you add 45 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise. You can find more about the glycemic index at www.glycemicindex.com.
#5. Exercise Plan

If exercise is a new element in your daily routine and be sure to check with your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough to start an exercise program. Then start with 30 minutes of walking 3 to 5 times a week and build to 45 to 60 minutes a day 5 to 6 times a week. Working up a good sweat and getting your heart rate up to fat burning zone will feel tough at first but then your body will develop a craving for this. Remember that typically it tales about 2 ½ weeks or so for your body to adjust to the new demands you are making on it both from an exercise requirement and a food intake change. Make a plan that allows you to achieve this goal over a 30 day period or longer if needed.

Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day here or there. If you miss a day or two or three just accept it and get back on track, you can do this. Also, set reasonable expectations regarding the amount of weight you want to lose and a healthy time period in which to achieve your goal. And finally be careful about the foods you eat. This is where following a low-glycemic diet plan works with you for success. Remember, in the end, it is all about the calories in vs. the calories out.

To Your Success, Dr. Tim

Dr. Tim’s Belly-Fat-Blasting Smoothie

I often see ads that claim to “Melt Your Fat Away”. Oh if it were so easy as to “melt” your unwanted fat away, as if it could happen in such a timely way and manner that would make seem as if it were literally dripping off of your body. Can you imagine melting fat like candle wax? Plastic surgeons and health clubs would be nearly extinct. Although this doesn’t really happen this way, you can eat things that will aid you in your quest to lose the pounds of unwanted fat.

Recent research points to excessive belly and chest fat as the dangerous fat that can increase your chances of heart attack, diabetes and stroke. These areas also seem to be the most problematic areas to lose weight. Research also tells us that these are the first areas where we accumulate and store fat and the last areas to go when losing weight. So, to help with this effort I came up with this very effective Belly-Fat-blasting Smoothie. Each ingredient has been carefully selected based on its respective functionality and power. Give it a try and add it to your weight loss and or management routine.

Place in a blender:
½ cup Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai juice
½ banana
¾ cup berries
2T. whey powder
2T. ground flax seed
1T. psyllium husk
1T. Chia seed
1T. wheat germ
600 mg fish oil from supplement capsules. Be sure to break open the capsules and add only the oil from the capsules
3 ice cubes

Blend until creamy and drink.

Have Fun, Drink More, Live Active
Dr. Tim

Organic Certifiers confirm USDA Organic certification for Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai juice

St. George, Utah Organic Certifiers of Ventura, California confirm USDA Organic certification for Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai juice. “Certified Organic Acai juice is a singularly important and exclusive validation of our Acai juice supply” says Dr. Tim Hollingshead, CEO of Dr. Tim’s Juices. It is particularly important in light of the fact that there are many Acai products available but only a few that have USDA Organic certification.

Dr. Tim’s Juices is a Utah based company founded and lead by Dr. Tim Hollingshead, a physician and surgeon who has re-dedicated his purpose to providing healthy alternatives to the consumer. USDA certified mangosteen juice is hard to come by. “We import our Acai juice and Acai berry puree and apply our Cryoflux concentration technology to protect bioactivity and potency.” This along with the USDA certification sets Dr. Tim’s Juices apart from the rest of the Acai juice purveyors.

Acai berries are grown throughout the Amazon with the majority of them coming from Brazil. Acai is a unique fruit with a flavor profile to match. It is used in both savory and sweet applications. It has a very thin amount of inner flesh covered by a deep purple outer skin known for its antioxidant content. USDA Certification ensures proper growing and harvesting techniques are employed that protect both the harvest and the environment guaranteeing the nutritional value of that crop.

Maqui & Acai or is it Maqui or Acai?

I’ve been asked a lot of questions about Maqui and how it compares to Acai. I think Maqui is another great “Super Fruit” and has some unique characteristics that make it a very valuable addition to this family. But don’t be ready to throw out the Acai just yet. Maqui does have nearly 2 times the ORAC that Acai has and it is a true berry. Maqui taste very good and has been used by the Mapuches Indians in the Chilean Patagonia. However, Maqui lacks the oils and the Omegas 6 & 9 that Acai has. Acai is a whole food supplement while Maqui contributes a good tasting juice. My recommendation is to use both and enjoy the unique benefits from both.

Our bodies are designed to utilize many elements for nutrition. The last time there was just one food available with all of the nutrients was during biblical times when manna was supplied from the heavens. So keep eating a variety and drink a variety of juices. And we'll keep making them.

WHAT CAN ACAI REALLY DO?

St. George, Utah By now most of us are sick and tired of seeing all of those phony weight loss ads claiming Acai to be the driving ingredient in so many pills. We have been bombarded with so much information regarding the acai berry it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. Some of the ads were so believable that even I had to go back and search the scientific literature to re-check the facts. The reality of Acai is that even though it will not magically melt your unwanted fat from your body it still has some rather impressive qualities.

I want to make sure that everyone reading this article knows that we make Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai. We make this and other juices to taste as fresh as possible and protect the flavor integrity of the fruit. Now, in truth most of the exotic fruits that are marketed today including acai are not sweet and delicious. They are bitter and somewhat distasteful. There are some exceptions such as the inner fruit of the mangosteen and the maqui berry. Even the goji berry is tolerable. However the taste of many of these fruits is somewhat challenged because of the high level of antioxidants and polyphenols. Antioxidants and polyphenols are naturally occurring chemical compounds in these fruits. They contribute strongly to the bitter taste of these fruits especially when you take into consideration the high content of these compounds found in the fruits.

It is unreasonable to ask anyone to drink any of these juices without improving the taste. Yes, I know that there are some of you out there that believe that in order for something to be good for you it has to taste bad. (I have some dot com stock I’d like to sell to you.) So if these fruits have so much to offer in the way of health benefits why not make them more palatable? Some companies have taken this thought to the extreme and only use 10% to 20% of the specific fruit in their products and bury it underneath a lot of sugar and water and a host of other juices.

Currently selling in Wal-Mart is an Acai juice that makes some unbelievable claims. (Don’t forget I still have that stock if you’re interested.) The makers of that juice act as if they believe that acai juice will replace orange juice. Let me tell you that that will never happen. Here’s why: #1 Cost. Acai is far more expensive than oranges. Also it takes a hundred times more acai berries than oranges to make a quart of juice. #2. Juice. Oranges have juice Acai does not. Each orange has juice and naturally occurring sugars that make it taste good. Remember that the acai is not a berry at all. It is a date. It has a thick hard shell with an even thinner layer of pulp surrounding an enormous seed. It has no juice! It has oils. The acai has to go through a process that literally beats the outer shell off of the seed. This process requires adding water to the pulp to allow it to flow through the machinery and into drums that can be frozen. It is from this pulp that acai juice is made. In the final analysis this Wal-Mart acai is probably less than 9% Acai and not a good choice if you are looking to benefit from this fruit.

Somewhere in the middle of all of the juices on the market we find the true nature and taste of Acai. And in spite of many of these companies and all of their marketing Acai really does have some remarkable qualities. You can take advantage of these qualities and benefits by knowing what to look for. Obviously you don’t want to buy a Wal-Mart acai for the benefits of acai. First you look for content: Acai pulp, acai puree acai juice are the best forms of acai. Reconstituted acai, freeze dried acai or acai powders are lower quality products that have to have water added to them. Next, look for quality: The amount of acai in the container or per serving. 100% acai will taste absolutely awful. Unfortunately most companies do not tell you how much acai is in their juice claiming to protect a super secret proprietary formula. However there are a few companies that disclose the amount of acai in their products. Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai has 85% acai. We are the only company to actually research the optimal acai content percentages balanced with other juices. We found that anything over 88% acai will have a bad taste to it because of the naturally occurring oils. We even did market research and found that most people prefer the ratio of 85% acai with the remaining 15% a combination of just two other juices. Additional findings demonstrated full benefits with this ratio. No wonder it taste so good and customers rave about the benefits.

Studies have proven that the antioxidants found in acai are absorbed by the human body and are distributed throughout by the blood stream. Other studies have demonstrated in-vitro killing of certain cancer cells. Acai contains oil that is better than virgin olive oil. It contains the fatty acids omega 6 & 9. Omega 3 has been found in the acai but in such incredibly small amounts that you would have to consume unreasonably large quantities to derive any benefit. It has protein and fiber. It has a special class of plant pigments or anthocyanins that give it a very high antioxidant capacity. It also contains naturally occurring B vitamins, iron and calcium.

Acai supports the following:

Heart health, immune system, appetite suppression, improved energy levels, better sleep, relief from hot flashes, relief from inflammation including arthritis and prostate and improved circulation

So, you can enjoy the health benefits of acai if the product has a high quantity of the fruit, the right quality of the fruit and if you add it to your daily regiment as a dietary supplement. It tastes great in the morning along side breakfast or as a mid meal snack. Keep in mind that many Brazilians use acai as a food staple because of its high nutrient factors. You can read in more about acai at www.brazilbotanicals.com.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

The female name “Mona” and the word “vie” literally means to challenge the woman named Mona. I am not sure how this applies to a multilevel marketing company intent on selling fruit juice blends with Acai juice among 18 other juices. Perhaps the real task is to challenge the quality and value of the juice called by the same name. If you take a bottle of this product and do the math on the contents per ounce it turns out that there would only be 1.3 ounces of each juice in their 25 ounce bottle. One ounce is the equivalent of approximately 30 milliliters or one Tablespoon. Their recommended daily dosage is one Tablespoon. So in that one Table spoon optimally you would be receiving only .05 ounces per serving of any one of the 19 juices in their Acai fruit punch. That is only 5% of the volume of a Tablespoon. That is as small as a teardrop. Now one bottle can cost $40.00. There are 25 servings per bottle which then comes to $1.60 per ounce. On a national average gasoline is only 4cents per ounce. Other companies sell 32 ounce bottles of 100% acai for the same $42.00 price but the taste of 100% pure acai is very bitter and hard to swallow. It seems the reasonable middle ground in this purple berry fight is to find a juice that is high in quality, content, ready to drink or rather good tasting and half the cost of these $40.00 bottles. The only product we have been able to find that fits this category is Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai. A 32 ounce bottle of Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai contains 85% real Acai with the remaining 15% a mixture of just two juices for flavor. And the good news is that the taste is outstanding. It really tastes like Acai. The cost is only $18.95 per bottle and when purchased in groups of 5 the shipping is free. No need to cry any tears over finding high quality, great tasting reasonably priced Acai with Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai.

Dr. Tim Solves Potential Food Safety Issue with Acai

Image by Breno Peck via Flickr

In the March 12, 2009 issue of FOOD SAFETY SMART Ho Phang reposts of a potential link of unprocessed Acai to a parasitic outbreak. He reports “the paste from Acai fruit has been implicated as the main cause of an outbreak of Chaga’s disease.” Chaga’s disease is caused from a parasite known as Tyrpanosoma cruzi. It can cause symptoms similar to the flu including fever, vomiting, aches, fatigue, diarrhea and a tell tale sign of right eye inflammation.

“Of course, there’s really no need to panic and toss out those bottles of Acai juice just yet. If the manufacturers of Acai juice are taking steps to kill parasites in the fruit before it gets into the juice, then the chances of you getting this parasite are small. There haven’t been any recorded cases of Chaga’s disease spread through Acai juice outside of Latin America” says Phang.

Here at Dr.Tim’s Exotic Juices we use the only proven method that ensures the destruction of this and any other potential hazardous organisms. We have always used our special flash pasteurization process to protect our customers. Understanding Chaga’s disease shows that it is very difficult to become infected with it here in the United States.

* Chagas disease is usually spread by the feces of reduviid bugs, insects that live in cracks and holes of poorly constructed houses and outbuildings in South and Central America. The bugs become infected after biting an infected animal or person. Once infected, the bugs pass Trypanosoma parasites in their feces. People get infected when they unknowingly rub bug feces into their eyes or mouth or into a skin wound or bite. People can also become infected by eating uncooked food contaminated with infected bug feces.
* Chagas disease can be transmitted by contaminated blood transfusions or by organ transplants.
* Infected women can pass the infection to their babies during pregnancy, at delivery, or while breastfeeding.

* Chagas disease primarily affects low-income people living in poorly constructed homes in rural areas in South and Central America. People who sleep in houses made from mud, adobe, or thatch are at greatest risk. The acute disease generally occurs in children, whereas chronic symptoms usually appear later in life. Persons with weakened immune systems are at risk of severe infections and complications.
* Travelers who stay in hotels, resorts, or other well-constructed housing facilities are not at risk for getting Chagas disease.

Flash pasteurization kills off any of the potential contamination threat created by this parasite. There have been no reports of infection linked to consumption of Acai juice outside of Brazil. Dr. Tim’s Exotic Juices all go through a flash pasteurization process to protect our great customers. This process does much to protect the enzymes and active elements of the juice.

Japan Welcomes Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai

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May 14, 2009 Saint George, Utah: Dr. Tim of Dr. Tim’s Exotic Juices has signed a contract with a large distributor in Japan. Now Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai will be available in Japan. Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai was presented to a large group of distributors at a meeting in Tokyo where it was reviewed and accepted. Mr. T. Hashimoto president of the distribution chain says “We have never had such a high quality Acai drink available here in Japan” He continued “ Japanese standards are so demanding that we have only accepted Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai to distribute in Japan.”

Japan is a market with a growing demand for the amazing purple berry of the Amazon. The Japanese people have a growing affinity for the taste and the benefits. There has been very limited distribution for this kind of product in Japan due to the high governmental standards for imported beverages. The Japanese people understand the benefits of using natural products as dietary supplements. And with the explosion of western diets the demand for healthy alternatives grows stronger.

“We are so pleased and excited to have received this approval for our Brazilian acai” said Dr. Tim. Dr. Tim’s Exotic Juices is a Saint George, Utah company specializing in the formulation and production of natural products derived from exotic fruits. Besides the Acai they also make Tibetan Goji, Thai Mangosteen and Polynesian Noni. Dr. Tim is the president and CEO of Dr. Tim’s Exotic Juices. Their products can be found throughout the United States and online at www.brazilbotanicals.com

Expansion of Dr. Tim's Juices

Dr. Tim's Juices Expands US Distribution of their line of Acai, Goji, Mangosteen and Noni Juices

Press Release on PR Leap

The Legend of Acai

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Translated from Portuguese by Dr. Tim S. Hollingshead


The legend of acai is a story of sacrifice and love unrequited. It is a bitter sweet story that has its roots in the resplendent lush green jungles that once covered the land where the Brazilian town of Belem now lies. Belem is the capital of the state of Para in the northern part of the country. It sits as a sentinel at the mouth of the world’s greatest and most mysterious river the Amazon as it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

Many years ago in this region lived a most prosperous tribe of Indians. They had grown so numerous that none dare attack them. They owned “a Boca do Rio Amazona” or the mouth of the river. Because this is a tropical rain forest near the equator the thought of drought in such a bio-diverse and water rich region seems preposterous. However, as we well know, weather cycles exist and although we see them turn more rapidly in these our days it was a rare and completely unexpected occasion for this tribe of Amazon River basin Indians to experience a drought.

The tribe began to suffer from the unusual circumstances brought on by this very rare drought. The rivers and streams used for travel were shriveled to mere trickles. River banks were treacherously deceiving with their pockets of quicksand. The fish were left high and dry to die. Patches of forest dried up and caught fire. The tribe had not prepared for such a time. Life had been so easy when the rains fell regularly and the fish were plentiful and the fruits grew from every tree. Now food became scarce and life became increasingly more stressful and difficult.

The great hunter of the tribe named Chief Itaki worried much over the worsening conditions. His tribe had grown so large and he was unable to feed them all. They were slowly starving to death. Ultimately he came to a very difficult decision. He gathered his tribe together and announced that from that day on any child born would be sacrificed to prevent the tribe from growing any larger. Shortly after Chief Itaki pronounced his decree his own daughter discovered she was pregnant. Her name was Iaca. She was very beautiful with dark piercing eyes and was the chiefs’ only daughter. He adored her and showered her with the most beautiful gifts of the jungle from the rare blue feathers of the blue macaw to the skin of an onca or black leopard. She truly was a princess of the Amazon. The day finally came when Iaca gave birth to her own beautiful daughter. It was a day of joy and a day of terrible sadness. She wanted to hide the baby and send her down river or runaway to the depths of the jungle. But sadly she was unable to protect her baby, Chief Itaki’s only granddaughter from the cruel and harsh decree.

The sweet baby was sacrificed. Iaca was inconsolable and distraught as she cried for three straight days and nights. She remained in her hut praying to Tupa the jungle God that she might show her father another way to help her people and save the tribe without sacrificing any more babies. Then one night as she prayed broken heartedly in her tent she heard the cry of a baby. As she came to the door of her hut she thought she saw her baby smiling, sitting at the base of a great palm bathed in the radiant light of the full moon. At first she was startled by this vision, then without hesitation she darted out into the moonlit night to hold her baby whom she had so dearly loved and missed. She felt her as she held her in her arms and pulled her in tight. Iaca cuddled her tenderly then mysteriously her baby disappeared. Iaca was crushed as she cried mourning for the loss of her baby once again, only this time was too much and Iaca succumbed to a broken heart.

The next day Chief Itaki found her lifeless body, her arms wrapped around the trunk of a palm tree, her face was peaceful with a smile and her eyes were open and strangely fixed upon the upper branches of the palm. The great chief wept. Then Chief Itaki through the tears in his eyes followed the gaze of his daughters’ eyes up into the upper reaches of the palm tree. There to his surprise he saw thin finger like branches covered in dark purple and black berries. He immediately ordered that the fruits be brought down from the top of the tree. They pulled the black pearls of fruit from each fingerling of a branch and mashed the berries into a deep rich purple porridge. They found the berry porridge to be palatable and sustaining. It dampened the pangs of hunger that had haunted the tribes’ people. More berries were found and the tribe was saved from malnourishment and death.

In honor of his daughter he named the berry Acai (Iaca spelled backwards) and rescinded the decree of death saving the babies and the tribe from complete destruction. The tribe honored the great Chief Itaki as he lived the rest of his days in humility and gratitude for his daughter and granddaughter who had sacrificed their lives for the tribe.

Retail Locations where Dr. Tim's Juices are Sold

Many of our loyal customers have asked where they can purchase Dr. Tim's Exotic Juices in addition to our web site. We are happy to inform you that the number of retail locations that carry our fine products is on the rise. In the coming weeks, more locations will be added to the list. If you can't find our products in your local grocery or health food stores, don't forget to ask the manager. You can request that they special order it for you!

Harmons: Dr. Tim's Exotic Juices (Acai, Mangosteen, Goji, Noni), Jungle Juice and ISO-5

Bally Total Fitness:Jungle Juice

Albertson's: ISO-5, Jungle Juice

78 Million American Baby Boomers Face Memory Loss

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Just last January the oldest of the baby boomers began to turn 62. For the next 18 years a member of the baby boomer generation (the 78 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964) will reach that age every eight seconds. Boomers have long been famous for their desire to stay or at least act young. As an integral part of that effort to stay young is the ability to remember.

Many of us remember the Oscar winning performance of the late Henry Fonda in the movie On Golden Pond. In that movie he portrayed Norman Thayer. In the movie Norman learns not to take life for granted by enjoying it. He also learns not to be so crotchety, and not to dote on death. One unforgettable scene in the movie was when Norman got lost in the woods near his cabin. A place that he knew better than any other yet he became confused, lost and terrified

In an article written by Katie Hafner of the International Herald Tribune the global edition of the New York Times she reported the following “: When David Bunnell, a magazine publisher who lives in Berkeley, California, went to a FedEx store to send a package a few years ago, he suddenly drew a blank as he was filling out the forms.

"I couldn't remember my address," said Bunnell, 60, with a measure of horror in his voice. "I knew where I lived, and I knew how to get there, but I didn't know what the address was."

Bunnell is among tens of millions of baby boomers who are encountering the signs, by turns amusing and disconcerting, that accompany the decline of the brain's acuity: a good friend's name suddenly vanishing from memory; a frantic search for eyeglasses only to find them atop the head; milk taken from the refrigerator then put away in a cupboard.

"It's probably one of the most frightening aspects of the changes we undergo as we age," said Nancy Ceridwyn, director of educational initiatives at the American Society on Aging. "Our memories are who we are. And if we lose our memories we lose that groundedness of who we are."

The possibility of losing ones’ memory is freighting. Not too long ago it was believed that there was not much that could be done to prevent such an occurrence. Now we know that there are things that we can do and foods that we can eat that will help us.

In an article by Wendy Hodsdon, ND she shares that foods and supplements can support memory.

“A balanced diet with protein, good fats and complex carbohydrates can balance the activity in the temporal lobes of the brain. Eating protein at every meal can help stabilize blood sugar levels and help prevent the brain fog that sometimes happens after high carbohydrate or high sugar meals.”

Antioxidants play a pivotal role for memory improvement.Antioxidants in the diet can improve memory by decreasing the free radical damage that can occur with age. Foods highest in antioxidants include fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables. Some of the best antioxidants are found in berries (such as acai, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries), spinach, brussel sprouts, plums, broccoli, beets, avocados, oranges, goji, red bell peppers and cherries. Eating many colors of fruits and vegetables ensures a wide variety of antioxidants to nourish and protect the brain.

Supplements can improve memory, learning and verbal skills. Some of these Supplements that support memory include antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin E and vitamin C. Ginkgo biloba is an herb that enhances circulation in the brain, which can improve memory and concentration. Phosphatidylserine is a nutrient that is found in food and in cell membranes in the body. In studies where it is given as a supplement, it increases the metabolic activity in the brain and improves memory, learning and verbal skills.

Sharon Begley wrote in an article dated Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:07 PM that “there is more than enough evidence that physical exercise is good for the brain, bringing benefits like lower cholesterol and blood pressure, but here’s more: it can increase the size of your hippocampus, the structure responsible for the formation and storage of new memories as well as for spatial navigation--finding your way around.

In a paper to be published in the journal Hippocampus, scientists report that elderly people who are physically fit generally have a larger hippocampus and better spatial memory than peers who are less fit. Previous studies have shown that challenging the hippocampus—exercising its spatial skills and its memory abilities—can increase its volume, too. London cabbies have bigger ones than your average Londoner, and experienced cabbies have larger ones than newbies, suggesting that making the hippocampus find its way through London’s labyrinth can boost its size. And exercising its memory-making skills seems to do the same thing: a study of German medical students found that the hippocampus got larger as they studied for finals. This is the first study, however, to show that plain old physical exercise, which does not engage the hippocampus to any real extent, can also give it a boost.”

As we progress through this mortal experience there is no escaping the effects of time and age. However there are things that we can do to optimize our health so as to take full advantage of our own allotted time. Staying fit with regular exercise and eating foods and utilizing dietary supplements rich in antioxidants can help us keep our minds sharp and our memories active as we make the most of our life experience.

Our customers speak out....

Recently I have been reading headlines that mislead consumers about ACAI. They are simply ads for other products aimed at selling consumers something that is loosely connected. Acai is a Super Food but not as a stand alone diet product.
The Oprah show that highlighted this berry as a superfood explains it best. This berry contains the most individual food components. It has protein, Carbs, fat, in addition to Omega 3 and 6, b vitamins for energy along with an impressive orac value. THAT’S IT. Yes, you could sustain life on this berry if it was the only choice and that what makes it a superfood. You don’t need to supplement many other components for a healthily diet.
Any product with this profile could be used in a diet, fulfill some dietary elements and with the proper exercise program can and will allow you to lose weight. But dieting is a lifestyle choice, eating healthy is suggested, along with moderation and control. This with a comprehensive exercise program will help many people. But there is no magic pill, you will not be able to take some Acai pill, Cleanse your system lose 10 lbs in 48 hours and keep it off without commitment to the lifestyle change. And no doctor will recommend this type of diet.
But Dr Tim’s Acai is a very powerful juice that helps in so many ways it can be and should be part of your diet to get all the good from this one organic berry. So enjoy the beverage, drink it as a juice, add it to other beverage and continue to be health conscience.
What I think is the true Super Drink, is the ISO-5. This really fits such an important part of our lifestyle. A sports drink with nothing added Nothing Artificial, and containing all the essential electrolytes. I love this drink and so do my kids. Keep up the good work.
Jeff L
Arlington Heights IL

Is Acai a Miracle Food?

Just what is all of the hype about acai? By now you probably have the knowledge that acai is a fruit that is found in the rain forests of Brazil. A lot of claims are made about acai, without the scientific research to support those claims. But we do know quite a bit about acai, and because of what we do know, we should include it in our daily diet.

1. It is rich in vitamins and minerals
2. It is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid
3. It is a rich source of antioxidants, which are absorbed well by the body

Is acai going to cure disease, help you look and feel younger or help you lose weight? It is possible, but these claims still need to be supported by scientific research. Fortunately, researchers are studying acai, and the studies that we see support including acai in the diet. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables in the diet is what nutritionists and dietitians recommend. Drinking Dr. Tim's Acai Juice, along with his other botanical juices is a great way to boost your fruit and vegetable intake! A healthy diet is a factor in overall good health, and this is a claim that has been scientifically substantiated!

Top Ten Beverages to Drink in 2009

According to University of Utah nutritionist, Rachel Jones, acai juice is one of the top ten drinks we should be consuming in 2009. She appeared on KSL's Studio 5 this morning. She said that acai is a "fantastically powerful antioxidant" and that acai and other dark purple, dark blue juices can reverse the aging process.

One of the other types of beverages she discusses are "green drinks" because of the magnesium in them. Acai happens to be a fruit juice that is magnesium rich.

No doubt about it, acai is definitely a beverage you will want to include in your diet this year! Of course, you'll want to choose Dr. Tim's Acai Juice. When you look at other brands on the market, you get more pure acai for less money with Dr. Tim's juices.

Nutrient Content of Acai

Just exactly why is acai considered to be a superfood?

There have been many articles in the mainstream media about acai being a powerful antioxidant, but until recently, there hasn't been a lot of reputable data on acai. Paul M. Gross, PhD., did a review of the current scientific literature regarding acai. He looked at the nutritional content of acai and compared it to other berries such as goji and blueberry, which are known to be highly nutritious. He showed that acai is higher in beneficial fat, vitamins A and E, minerals and fiber. He had positive conclusions regarding acai, especially when it comes to the potential for prevention of chronic diseases saying,

"Dozens of diseases have a component of oxidative stress at their origins, such as chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer, and so may be prevented or inhibited by high-antioxidant fruit like açaí."

For the entire article, click here .

Start The New Year Eating Nutritiously!

Ring out the old and ring in the new! If you haven't already, start 2009 by incorporating healthy eating habits into your diet.

What is a healthy diet? A healthy diet includes foods that are nutrient dense, meaning that they are high in beneficial nutrients when compared to the caloric value of the food. How does this translate into foods that you should eat? Dr. Perricone, a noted physician has a great slide show over at Oprah.com that summarizes his picks of "good foods". You can access the slide show here. Each of the foods he lists are high in beneficial nutrients. You'll note on slide number 9, that acai juice is listed as one of the beneficial beverages he lists. A healthy diet will help prevent chronic disease conditions that are so prevalent in society today.

Here at Dr. Tim's Juices, we provide a superior acai juice. It is 85% pure acai puree which is superior to other juices on the market. We do not add any preservatives, sugar or fillers. Try our Acai, we know that you'll benefit from drinking it and enjoy the flavor.

Here's to you and yours for a happy, healthy new year!

Embrace the power of purple and the benefits of the blues.

This is what David Grotto, nutritionist and registered dietitian, author of "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life" has to say about the importance of eating fruits such as acai that are high in anthocyanins; “Add purple-blue foods to your diet - dried plums, raisins, eggplant, acai, beans (aduki), concord grapes, elderberries, potatoes, red cabbage. They are rich in plant chemicals such as anthocyanins and polyphenols, which have been found to aid in:

- Thinking quicker on your feet. (Purple-blue foods protect the brain from the effects of aging and help aid in memory recall.)

- Preventing artery-clogging plaque from building up. Concord grape juice also has been found to reduce inflammation of the arteries; concord grapes help raise HDL, the good cholesterol that keeps the bad cholesterol (LDL) in check.”

Acai has some interesting anti-inflammation properties. The buzz today is about inflammation being one of the big disease processes. It affects everything from our joints to our arteries. We have had many positive reports from our customers of the success of obtaining relief from the aches and pains of inflammatory disease from adding Dr. Tim’s Brazilian Acai and Dr. Tim’s Thai Mangosteen to their diets.

Acai #1 on Dr. Perricone's Superfood List

Many noted physicians are reporting that Acai is a top "super food" because of its high level of antioxidants, phytochemicals and essential fatty acids. Acai is considered by many to be a excellent addition to an anti-inflamatory diet. An anti-inflamatory diet is thought to prevent diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and alzheimers disease.

Over at Oprah.com, Dr. Perricone talks about his top 10 Super foods, and number one on his list is Acai. Check out the entire article here .


It bears repeating that Dr. Tim's Acai Juice is the best value on the market. We don't dilute our juice with water. Why pay more for Acai? You don't have to be involved with multi-level marketing to enjoy the benefits of Dr. Tim's Acai Juice. We are available at retail locations and online. Dr. Tim's Acai Juice and our other botanical juices can be purchased online at http://www.brazilbotanicals.com/.