Organic Camu Camu (Vitamin C)
The camu camu tree (Myrciaria dubia) grows deep in the Amazon rainforest where its fruit and leaves have long been used by the indigenous people as medicine. Not only does camu camu have proven anti-viral properties, but its small tart berries contain one of the highest levels of natural vitamin C on the planet. A single 100 gram serving of camu camu provides around 2,200 mg of vitamin C – almost 50 times the amount of vitamin C found in orange juice!
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential water-soluble micronutrient. “Essential” means that your body cannot live without it and since vitamin C cannot be made by or stored in the body, it must be consumed regularly through food or supplementation.When it comes to immune system support, vitamin C plays an intricate role in dozens of immune functions. This includes cytokine production by white blood cells, nitric oxide production, detoxification, antioxidant protection, and boosting Natural Killer (NK) cell production. Vitamin C is also used in the production of special signaling proteins called interferons, which are released by cells when harmful bacteria and other pathogens are present.Vitamin C acts as an essential cofactor in at least eight important enzymatic reactions in the body. These include the production of collagen (the structural basis of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage, and all connective tissue) as well as neurotransmitters – chemicals that play a critical role in signaling between various nerve cells in your brain and nervous system.Along with being a cofactor, vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant. In this role it helps to protect against inflammation and aging generated both by the normal daily workings of your body, as well as from exposure to toxins and pollutants.Beyond its impressive vitamin C content, camu camu is a bioactive-rich food containing other important nutrients including beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and copper. While awareness of camu camu is relatively recent in North America, various studies have demonstrated that camu camu may have benefits for weight loss, improved blood sugar levels, and healthier blood pressure.