For so long a time, there were various independent researches about the amazing health benefits of the acai berries. While endemic in Central and South America, many companies like 4Life Research, a biotechnology company in the US have been using acai berries in their food supplements.
Acai berry is found to be rich in antioxidants, fiber and other nutrients.

Given the ongoing health threats brought by the global pandemic, it is critical for people to protect their immune systems and maximize all the wellness support they can get.

Organique, a USDA approved Acai Berry supplement Brand, has partnered with health and wellness experts in the Philippines and a reputable Canadian research team who has done a clinical study on Acai Berry.

Interestingly, the University of Toronto researchers presented as one viable option the nutrients found in the Brazilian acai super berry in a virtual forum on December 1 in partnership with Philippine wellness company Organique. Filipino medical experts were also present in the forum, entitled “Superfood Acai Berry Against COVID-19 symptoms: How to Harness its Nutrients,” which focused on the Canadian study that found the super berry to be a potential treatment for some COVID-19 symptoms. 

The clinical trial tests, which are slated to wrap up by the end of the first quarter of 2021, will determine whether an early intervention of acai palm berry extract can help mitigate severe inflammation problems in COVID-19 patients, thanks to the superfood’s potent anti-inflammatory properties. 

“Organique has always believed in ‘prevention over cure.’ This is what has continuously compelled us to provide an affordable, safe, and effective immunity-boosting supplement powered by the acai super berry,” said Organique CEO and President Cathy Salimbangon. “The findings from the University of Toronto’s study could be ground-breaking as we navigate COVID-19.”

Organique’s premium health products harness the powers of the Brazilian acai super berry, touting benefits for anti-aging, weight-loss support, immunity-boosting, and more.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been strong evidence that COVID-19 can trigger the body’s acute inflammatory response, leading to severe complications such as heart and lung inflammation. Initial medical studies have shown that the acai berry’s extracts have the potential of controlling the body’s inflammatory response within normal levels.

The acai can also significantly decrease NLRP3-mediated inflammation, which is what triggers the body’s response to ward off infections and stress. These findings came from Dr. Ana Andreazza, associate professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Originally from Brazil and working with other Brazilian researchers on this berry, Dr. Andreazza said that “acai was effective as an anti-inflammatory. It’s important to note that it has a very similar effect on the NLRP3 cell as it does with damaged mitochondria as we’ve seen.”

Dr. Joseph Lee, a guest speaker at the forum who has done extensive research on Acai, said, “For the duration that we have given acai to our patients, we have noted that they are stable and there is no erratic change to them even if they are on maintenance for high blood and liver enzyme—and those are prone to changes. Basically, through continued monitoring of all our patients and their responses to acai, we have found that acai remains a most promising superfood that can likely live up to all the claims.”

A previous study by Dr. Andreazza also revealed that acai may even prevent mental stress too—another problem brought about by the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences such as financial uncertainty, economic slowdown, and long bouts of isolation during lockdowns. 

Although much of the research is at its early stages, the researchers remain positive that it can potentially open doors in the fight against disease worldwide. 

“Within the next six months, we can see if it can be shared globally as efficient treatment. We can see if it can treat the virus, and if ever, be used for prevention, as well as for the actual symptoms. We will also monitor if there are any after-effects in COVID-19 patients two to five years down the line,” added Dr. Michael Farkouh, lead researcher and director of the Peter Munk Centre of Excellence in Multinational Clinical Trials. “The beauty of this trial is it can be done remotely. We can ship the extract or the placebo and monitor them for any need for hospitalization. We will be checking in on them on day 1, day 15, and day 30 for regular monitoring of their clinical status.” 

“This can make a huge difference in a country like the Philippines, where many are unable to afford COVID care. If proven effective, this is just another reason why the acai berry should be a staple in our lifestyle,” stated Dr. Sonny Viloria, an expert in Integrative Wellness. While there has yet to be an approved vaccine for COVID-19, Dr. Viloria iterated that our immune system remains our best weapon against sickness. 

Salimbangon concluded, “We at Organique have been believers of the powers of acai since 2009, and we will continue to spread awareness about it until more people have more access to these supplements. Maintaining good health means good nutrition-—and that could possibly be achieved with supplements like Organique.”

Founded on its mission to inspire a deeper level of care for everyone in the community during this pandemic, especially the immuno-compromised, Organique joins the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bida Solusyon Campaign that calls on the public to comply with health protocols in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The launch event took place via Zoom and was hosted by celebrity wellness advocate Regine Tolentino.

Organique’s premium health products have been founded on the vision that a strong immune system can make the people susceptible to illnesses and other medical conditions. Boosting one’s health becomes more than self-empowerment, and can also become a means to extend that protection to family, friends, and even the community. A healthy physiological system makes for a formidable complement with the DOH BIDA practices such as the wearing of face masks and face shields in public spaces, regular and proper handwashing, and social distancing by at least one meter. 

“This well-rounded approach to health is essential, now more than ever, as we face a threat with no known cure yet,” said Cathy Salimbangon, CEO and President of Organique, Inc. during the partnership launch last Sept. 29. As numerous medical experts including the World Health Organization (WHO) have iterated, maintaining a healthy immune system is one of the best defenses against COVID-19, since it acts as a barrier against disease. While there are currently no COVID-19  medications that can completely eliminate the virus, there are steps that one can take to ensure one’s physiological and immunological defenses are as strong as possible. 

Echoing Salimbangon’s statements, Integrative Medicine Specialist and Wellness Expert Dr. Sonny Villoria shared, “As a medical practitioner, I know the importance of boosting your immune system. So health supplements like Organique can help provide some form of internal protection, while BIDA can provide external protection. By practicing minimum health standards, we are doing something for ourselves.”

The success of the campaign relies a great deal on the collaboration between the private and public sectors. Dr. Beverly Ho, Director IV of Health Promotion and Communication Service of the DOH’s Public Health Services Team, explained, “We welcome Organique’s energy to make BIDA’s message live and breathe in every Filipino. We shouldn’t be fearful about COVID because the solutions are within us. However, we recognize that some countrymen need more, and so we have our partners to help spread our message. We need to go beyond communication and advertisements to reach different communities.”

During the launch, Organique pledged to help build consumer confidence through the mass implementation of the BIDA Solusyon campaign’s objectives. “Not only will we be applying the BIDA guidelines in our own lives. We will also be sharing the pillars of the BIDA campaign in our various platforms online and in person, so that our teams, their families, and the people they may come in contact with, will learn about these simple but important practices against COVID-19,” Salimbangon elaborated.

In addition, Organique Inc.  ImmunoCare Kits will be distributed to the vulnerable sectors of the community. They contain the brand’s immunity-boosting Acai Premium Blend, bottles of alcohol, masks, face shields, and BIDA posters and flyers. 

Salimbangon also shared how their company is coping in the new normal. She said, “As a brand, we are in a position to do more to curb the spread of COVID. Thanks to the BIDA guidelines, our teams were able to adapt and demonstrate the resilience that puts the safety of our team and customers first.” 

Meanwhile, Communications Technical Advisor to DOH Amor Maclang emphasized the important role that each individual plays as the economy begins its road to recovery. “BIDA Solusyon encourages all of us to be the hero—the ‘BIDA’ of this pandemic. We are all realizing that in order to beat the virus, we need to learn how to live with it. Transmission is inevitable, but we have some of the lowest fatality rates in the world. This happened because all of us in civil society work together and are integrated into our actions through the BIDA campaign.”

Similarly, television host and wellness advocate Cory Quirino reiterated the significance of accountability in encouraging bravery. “When we talk about flattening the curve, we also need to flatten the fear. BIDA is a timely reminder that the hero is in all of us.”

The DOH’s BIDA Solusyon campaign is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development through the Breakthrough Action Program, which has advocated the implementation of a variety of social and behavior change communications in different developing countries to push enhanced and tailor-fit public health education.

Salimbangon concluded, “We’re proud to be partnering with a government agency that helps in curbing this pandemic. It’s truly a challenging year, but it never ceases to amaze me what the human spirit can do.