YAMAMOTO RESEARCH
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YAMAMOTO® RESEARCH
Yamamoto® Research Maqui - Food supplement based on maqui extract Maqui is a blue-violet berry similar to blueberry, has a dark pulp, and is rich in juice. It is also called "blueberry of Patagonia", but compared to the blueberries themselves, it is the richest antioxidant fruit in the world. This plant is native of Chile, endemic to the sub-Antarctic forests, widespread in Patagonia, in the islands of Juan Fernández and in Argentina where it grows in moist soils with abundant humus, up to 2500 meters of altitude. This plant often grows in deforested or burned areas, where it produces white flowers in September-December (the Antarctic spring) from which dark purple berries originate. These berries ripen by January-February and are harvested until April. Maqui berries were traditionally used to prepare a fermented beverage by Mapuche, the natives of southern Chile, and historically it seems that the "powerful" nutritional value of this drink contributed to the Mapuche's ability to defeat, first the Incas, and later, the Spaniards. Today it is considered a true "super fruit" thanks to its extraordinary antioxidant properties, so much so that it is believed that Maqui berries are the fruit with the highest "ORAC" (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value. It is necessary to remember that in order to produce energy, our body burns the macronutrients we ingest: carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and in this process not only is energy produced, but also metabolic waste and free radicals. These free radicals are the main culprits of cellular aging and with pollution, smoking, stress, bad eating habits or even a sedentary lifestyle they tend to increase in our body, thus accelerating the aging processes. Those who practice intense physical activity produce more free radicals, so even those who participate in sports know the importance of protecting themselves from these free radicals, since the oxidative stress they cause leads not only to accelerated tissue aging, but also to a weakening of the immune system, increased inflammation, and favour potential cardiovascular and neurodegenerative problems. Antioxidants are antagonistic molecules of free radicals, which defend us from these risks that can harm our health, counteracting cellular aging and everything that follows. Maqui berries possess extraordinary concentrates of antioxidants, as well as a high concentration of vitamins, in particular of groups E and B, but the characteristic of these berries is their very high delphinidin content (82-83% of total contents are anthocyanidins), a type of anthocyanin (polyphenol) that has been shown to possess the greatest antioxidant power in nature: in fact, the ORAC value of Maqui is about 3 times higher than that of black blueberry, and 7 times higher than that of pomegranate. Delphinidin is truly an element of extraordinary antioxidant potency, capable of neutralising 42% of free radicals in 4 minutes, while the other anthocyanins can only neutralise 10 to 33%. Delphinidin was also found to be active on a large group of different types of free radicals, unlike other anthocyanins which are active only towards certain species of free radicals. This powerful antioxidant action creates a protective effect on the skin while also protecting the arteries, revealing a "scavenger" agent against free radicals in particular against skin cells, thus fighting aging induced by exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet rays. The antioxidant effect of delphinidin also prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the vascular walls, counteracting the deposit of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, as they can reduce the degree of oxidation of the fats released into the bloodstream (this is particularly true for LDL cholesterol which easily tends to be oxidised and therefore settle inside the arteries). Thanks to its antioxidant characteristics, Maqui has many other benefits such as protecting the lens of the eye and preventing retinal macular degeneration related to aging. A recent study found that taking even low Maqui doses significantly reduces light-induced damage to photoreceptors (cells sensitive to light radiation) of the retina, thanks to the inhibition of the formation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), one of the more important groups of free radicals, responsible for the phosphorylation of the p38 protein which leads to the death of photoreceptors in the retina. This action is very useful for combating various eye disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD = Age-related Macular Degeneration) and Retinitis Pigmentosa. Maqui can have moderately astringent properties and can be used in case of diarrhoea and restoration of altered bacterial flora. The presence of delphinidin-3-sambubioside-5-glucoside has been shown to improve cellular sensitivity to insulin, thus stimulating the entry of glucose into muscle cells, in favour of greater energy production, and at the same time inhibiting the release of glucose by liver cells, thus resulting in an interesting hypoglycaemic effect. This super berry also performs an anti-inflammatory action both at bone and joint level and soothes irritations of the oral mucosa, mouth and throat, since delphinidin inhibits the activation of NFkB, a factor responsible for the expression of some mediators of inflammatory states (cardiovascular diseases, arthritis etc.), and is able to specifically counter the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in response to the activation of the so-called "inflammatory cascade", showing "selective" anti-inflammatory action, without any side effects. To date there are not enough studies on the possible side effects, as well as on the precise contraindications, deriving from the intake of Maqui berries, although it is still considered a safe nutraceutical. It should be kept in mind that since the interactions are not yet clear, it would be better to avoid the recourse in conjunction with other pharmacological treatments, in particular medicines for the reduction of cholesterol or glycaemia levels, since the remedy could increase its effects. Although there is no precise statistical representation, some consumers have complained of greater constipation, a side effect probably correlated with the astringent characteristics of the fruit. Directions: take 1 capsule a day with water.
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30 capsules | |
Mean Analysis | |
Per serving size (1 capsule) | |
Maqui extract
of which anthocyanins of which delphinidins |
300 mg 30 mg 21 mg |
Ingredients: maqui dry extract (Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz.) 10% anthocyanins and 7% delphinidins, bulking agents: cellulose, dicalcium phosphate; capsule (gelatin), anti-caking agents: magnesium salts of fatty acids, silicon dioxide; colour: E171.
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