Dr. Nicholas Perricone

Nicholas Perricone, MD, FACN, is a board certified clinical and research dermatologist, and CEO of NV Perricone MD, Ltd. A brilliant scholar, Dr. Perricone completed medical school in just 3 years, graduating with distinction. He completed his internship in Pediatrics at Yale Medical School and his Dermatology Residency at Ford Medical Center. Dr. Perricone is regarded as the Father of the Inflammation Theory of Aging.

He is the author of the three New York Times # 1 Best Sellers, The Perricone Promise (Warner Books 2004), The Perricone Prescription (HarperCollins 2002), and The Wrinkle Cure (Warner Books 1998) as well as the recent New York Times best seller, The Perricone Weight Loss Diet (Random House 2005). His most recent book, Dr. Perricone’s 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity (Random House 2006) debuted in November 2006.

After years of research Dr. Perricone arrived at the conclusion that cellular inflammation may be the underlying cause of wrinkles. According to Dr. Perricone, this inflammation is not the redness that is visible to the naked eye but rather microscopic irritation that takes place in your cells leading to cellular damage. He believes that this inflammation is responsible for skin-related problems like breakouts, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.

Dr. Perricone is the focus of a series of award-wining television specials airing in the U.S. on PBS TV. He is a popular guest on American television, appearing on the Today Show, Oprah, Larry King, 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, CNN, Fox, Extra, Access Hollywood as well as many other news and lifestyle broadcasts. He has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Forbes, People, WWD, USA Today and a host of other major magazines and newspapers around the globe.

What does he have to say about Acai?

According to Dr. Perricone, some foods can be eaten to help you look and age better. At the top of the list is the acai fruit from the Amazon forest. This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores.

A previously little-known fruit harvested from the Brazilian rainforest is now gaining recognition for its high levels of the cholesterol-fighting fatty acids, Omega 6 and Omega 9, and its strong concentration - up to 33 times that found in red wine grapes - of anthocyanin, a powerful anti-oxidant.

The acai berry is especially noteworthy for the antioxidant properties afforded by its concentration of anthocyanin - which is also present in red wine - that prevents oxidants from harming connective tissue while repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls. This helps explain the “French Paradox.” The French, who are noted wine drinkers, have one of the lowest incidences of heart disease of any westernized society despite a diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Acaí (ah-sigh-ee) is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree. Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, acaí tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature’s perfect energy fruit. Acaí is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although acaí may not be available in your local supermarket, you can find it in several health food and gourmet stores (often in juice form).

Acaí pulp contains:

A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.

A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.

An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

The fatty acid content in acaí resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging.

For more information about Dr. Perricone, visit his website here.