Arjuna touts Indian gooseberry potential for improved heart health

14 Mar 2019 --- Arjuna Natural Ltd.’s new ingredient Tri-Low, a full extract of amla (Phyllanthus emblica), the Indian gooseberry, is touted as alleviating dyslipidemia, a leading contributing risk factor to the development of atherosclerosis. This is according to an Arjuna endorsed study. The amla extract “has shown significant potential in reducing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and in stimulating a more favorable balance of lipid ratios,” the company notes.

These results confirm Tri-Low’s functionality as a superior, clean-label cardiac health supplement. The study, led by Dr. Haridas Upadya, was published in the BMC Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial, 500 mg amla extract or a matching placebo capsule was administered to 98 dyslipidemia patients twice daily for 12 weeks.  

Following the 12-week trial, major lipids including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and VLDL were significantly lower in the amla group compared to the placebo group. At the same time anti-atherogenic lipoproteins, such as HDL-cholesterol, were maintained at optimum levels. A 39 percent reduction in the atherogenic index of the plasma (AIP) – a key indicator of cardiac health –  was also noted in the amla group.

Lipid balance was achieved with no concomitant reduction of plasma CoQ10 levels, a phenomenon typically associated with a number of lipid-lowering drugs. Other related parameters, such as fasting blood glucose, homocysteine levels, and apo-B/apolipoprotein levels, also tended to lower. This potentially widens Tri-Low’s scope for targeting diabetic dyslipidemia, says Arjuna.

Tri-Low delivers the full spectrum of bioactive ingredients extracted from wild, fresh, ripe Indian gooseberry. It is the first of its kind standardized with diacylglycerides of ALA – α-Linolenic acid (an omega 3 fatty acid) and polyphenols.

The patented product is available in powder form and can be used straight or in combination with other cardiovascular health supplements.

“Tri-Low is available in powder form for use in nutraceuticals either as capsules or tablets. It is also available as water dispersible powder for use in beverages, in sachets or stick packs,” Dr. Benny Anthony, Joint Managing Director for Arjuna tells FoodIngredientsFirst. 

Tri-Low is good at reducing visceral fat and obesity, according to Dr. Anthony. “The toxic combination of high cholesterol, the stress of modern life and the wide availability of junk food are factors that are known to aggravate cardiovascular diseases (CVD),” he explains. 

“The sacred Indian gooseberry, or amla, has been used for centuries in many Ayurvedic formulations as a Rasayanic, something known for its all-around health benefits and outstanding safety. Today we increasingly realize its place as an all-powerful cardiac protector – even in stubborn cases of unhealthy lipid profiles. Arjuna offers the same nutraceutical in an improved, more bioactive, and highly concentrated form.”

Indian gooseberry is available in some other tropical countries also, says Dr. Anthony. “But we select only the wild berries of Phyllanthus emblica from India only.”

The project started in 2005 and according to Dr. Anthony, it took Arjuna “several years to understand the active fraction in amla and we are the first to standardize the presence of omega 3 fatty acids in amla extract.”

Arjuna’s unique and proprietary, gentle extraction process preserves ingredient functionality and ensures potency. Amla extracts typically are manufactured from dried amla and can differ fundamentally from Tri-Low in quality and activity.

Arjuna will exhibit Tri-Low at the upcoming Vitafoods in Geneva this May.