Blueberry Extract

The Blueberry Extract offers the highest concentration of the North American blueberry species, Vaccinium corymbosum, with a significant broad-spectrum phenolic profile.

The Blueberry Extract is a powerful concentration of anthocyanins: It takes eighty pounds of blueberries to get one pound of the pure purple extract. This means that one capsule of the extract is equivalent to a cup and a quarter of whole blueberries.

Each vegan capsule has 500mg of the pure extract, without any excipients or fillers.

Tuft University’s James Joseph and Barbara Shukitt-Hale have researched the use and application of blueberries as a potential therapeutic agent for many years. Their studies along with their colleagues demonstrate that blueberries and blueberry extract reverse and prevent brain aging (Shukitt-Hale et al., 2008; 2007), improve memory and motor skills (Carey et al., 2014; Malin et al., 2011; Brewer et al., 2010), repair neuronal tissue and function (Joseph et al., 2003; Miller et al., 2012), and serve as a potent anti-aging food (Joseph et al., 1999; 2009; Shukitt-Hale et al., 2015; 2012).*

The Blueberry Extract was designed with Dr. Joseph’s assistance by converting some of the data from his research to human consumption.*

Steward, Sridhar, and Meyer (2013) define regeneration of the nerves as a process of repairing or replacing nerve cells that have been damaged. Studies have hypothesized that an antioxidant-enriched diet may affect neuro-regeneration and inhibit inflammation due to their high anthocyanins (Szajdek & Borowska, 2008; Sweeney et al., 2002).*

Research studies and reviews by Latif (2015), Panickar & Anderson (2010), Subash et al. (2014), Panickar (2013), Schaffer et al. (2006), and Letenneur et al. (2007), demonstrate the great ability of flavonoids to offer a consistent neuro-protective nutriceutical.

Stratheam et al. (2014) demonstrate that anthocyanin rich extracts of blueberries and grape seed support the process of neuro re-degeneration by interfering with the neurotoxin, rotenone, and improving the mitochondrial function. Gao et al. (2012) find that a habitual intake of dietary flavonoids is associated with a lower risk of developing neurological issues, such as Parkinson, or lessening brain edema (Panickar & Anderson, 2010). Kovacsova et al. (2010) researched the biochemical pathways and molecular neuro-protective mechanisms of polyphenols in the brain. Antioxidant activity reduces neuro-inflammation and supports the prevention of neuro-degeneration (Stromberg et al., 2005). Williams & Spencer (2012) and Galli et al. (2006) show that a blueberry-supplemented diet reverses age-related declines with improved cognition and nerve regeneration.*

The process of neurological regenerative ability of blueberries is linked to their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Subash et al., 2014; Duffy et al., 2008; Shukitt-Hale et al., 2008), effecting the reduction of NF Kappa beta, Cox-2 and Isoprostane (Youdim et al., 2002). For this reason, studies emphasize the important dietary role of blueberries, as anthocyanins are able to reduce oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory cytokines (McAnulty et al., 2011).*

Due to their high levels of anthocyanins, blueberries are also shown in research to contribute to heart health (McAnulty, 2014; Louis et al., 2014; Erlund et al., 2008; Youdim & Joseph, 2001).* 

How available are these anthocyanins? Mazza et al. (2002) has demonstrated that consumption of blueberries raises blood serum ORAC (antioxidant capacity). Emerging evidence confirms the ability of the human body to absorb anthocyanins, demonstrating a greater bioavailability (Bell et al., 2015), prolonged circulation, and relatively high concentration of anthocyanins metabolites (Lila et al., 2016).*

See the Research tab for additional bibliography to further understand the application and use of blueberry and blueberry extract.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information and citations of research are for informational purposes only. Please be sure to consult your health care provider before taking this or any other product. Erlund, I., Koli, R., Alfthan, G., Marniemi, J., Puukka, P., Mustonen, P… Jula, A. (2008). Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr 87, 323-331. Article

Galli, R.L., Bielinski, D.F., Szprengiel, A., Shukitt-Hale, B., Joseph, J.A. (2006). Blueberry supplemented diet reverses age-related decline in hippocampal HSP70 neuroprotection. Neurobio Aging, 27, 344-350. DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.01.017

Gao, X., Cassidy, A., Schwarzschild, M.A., Rimm, E.B., & Ascherio, A. (2012). Habitual intake of dietary flavonoids and risk of Parkinson disease. Neurology, 78(10), 1138-45. doi:  10.1212/WNL.0b013e31824f7fc4

Joseph, J., Cole, G., Head, E., Ingram, D. (2009). Nutrition, brain aging, and neurodegeneration. J. Neurosci. 29(41), 12795–12801. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3520-09.2009

Joseph, J.A., Shukitt-Hale, B., & Lau, F.C. (2007). Fruit polyphenols and their effects on neuronal signaling and behavior in senescence. Ann NY Acd Sci, 1100, 470-85. DOI:10.1196/annals.1395.052

Joseph, J.A., Denisova, N.A., Arendash, G., Gordon, M., Diamond, D., Shukitt-Hale, B., Morgan, D. (2003). Blueberry supplementation enhances signaling and prevents behavioral deficits in an Alzheimer disease model. Nutr Neurosci, 6 (3), 153-162. DOI:10.1080/1028415031000111282

Joseph, J.A., Shukitt-Hale, B., Denisova, N.A., Bielinski, D., Martin, A., McEwen, J.J., & Bickford, P.C. (1999). Reversals of age-related declines in neuronal signal

Joseph, J., Cole, G., Head, E., Ingram, D. (2009). Nutrition, brain aging, and neurodegeneration. J. Neurosci. 29(41), 12795–12801. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3520-09.2009

Kovacsova, M., Barta, A., Parohova, J., Vrankova, S., Pechanova, O. (2010). Neuroprotective mechanisms of natural polyphenolic compounds. Act Nerv Super Rediviva, 52, 181-186. Abstract

Latif, R. (2015). Flavonoids as novel neuroprotective nutraceuticals. Saudi J Health Sci, 4, 1-4. DOI:10.4103/2278-0521.151402

McAnulty, L.S. Nieman, D.C., Dumke, C.L., Shooter, L.A., Henson, D.A., Utter, A.C., … McAnulty, S.R. (2011). Effect of blueberry ingestion on natural killer cell counts, oxidative stress, and inflammation prior to and after 2.5 h of running. Appl Physio Nutr Metab, 36(6), 976-84. DOI:10.1139/h11-120

Panickar, K.S., & Jang, S. (2013). Dietary and plant polyphenols exert neuroprotective effects and improve cognitive function in cerebral ischemia. Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric, 5(2), 128-43. DOI: 10.2174/1876142911305020003

Schaffer, S., Eckert, G.P., Schmitt-Schilling, S., & Muller, W.E. (2006). Plant foods and brain aging: a critical appraisal. Forum Nutr, 59, 86-115. DOI:10.1159/000095209

Shukitt-Hale, B., Bielinski, D.F., Lau, F.C., Willis, L.M., Carey, A.N., & Joseph, J.A. (2015). The beneficial effects of berries on cognition, motor behaviour and neuronal function in ageing. Br J Nutr, 114(10), 1542-9. DOI:10.1017/S0007114515003451

Shukitt-Hale, B. (2012).  Blueberries and neuronal aging. Gerontology, 58, 518-523. DOI:10.1159/000341101

Shukitt-Hale, B., Lau, F.C., Joseph, J.A. (2008). Berry fruit supplementation and the aging brain. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56, 636–641. DOI: 10.1021/jf072505f

Shukitt-Hale, B., Carey, A.N., Jenkins, D., Rabin, B.M., Joseph, J.A. (2007). Beneficial effects of fruit extracts on neuronal function and behavior in a rodent model of accelerated aging. Neurobiol Aging, 28, 1187-1194. DOI:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.05.031

Steward, M.N., Sridhar, A., & Meyer, J.S. (2013). Neural regeneration. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol, 367, 163-91. DOI:10.1007/82_2012_302.

Strathearm, K.D., Yousef, G.G., Grace, M.H., Tambe, M.A., Ferruzzi, M.G., Wu, Q.L., Simon, J.E., Lila, M.A., & Rochet, J.C. (2014). Neuroprotective effects of anthocyanin-and proanthocyanidin-rich extracts in cellular models of Parkinson’s diseases. Brain Res, 1555, 60-77. . DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2014.01.047

Subash, S., Essa, M.M., Al-Adwi, S., Memon, M.A., Manivasagan, T., & Akbar, M.  (2014). Neuroprotective effects of berry fruits on neurodegenerative diseases.  Neural Regeneration Research, 9(16), 1557-1566. . DOI:10.4103/1673-5374.139483

Sweeney, M.I., Kalt, W., MacKinnon, S.L., Ashby, J., Gottschall-Pass, K.T. (2002) Feeding rats diets enriched in lowbush blueberries for six weeks decreases ischemia-induced brain damage. Nutr Neurosci 5, 427- 431. DOI:10.1080/1028415021000055970

Youdim, K.A., Joseph, J.A. (2001). A possible emerging role of phytochemicals in improving age-related neurological dysfunctions: a multiplicity of effects. Free Radic Biol Med, 30, 583-594.  http://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(00)00510-4