Frequently Asked Questions about Amla

What is Amla?
Amla is considered a “rasayana” herb in the Ayurvedic tradition, which refers to its ability to rejuvenate the body or enable the body’s maximum potential. Amla has typically been popular for its high levels of natural occurring Vitamin C, but more recent research suggests that the levels of Vitamin C in Amla are unstable and, therefore, an unreliable indicator of Amla’s antioxidant potential. A more powerful and reliable biomarker of Amla's antioxidant potential is β‐glucogallin and amla extracts rich in β‐glucogallin offer enhanced protection compared to extracts that are only standardized for Vitamin C or ascorbic acid.

What are the active Ingredients in Amla?
Although fruits of Amla are reputed to contain high amounts of Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), the overall antioxidant strength of Amla may derive instead from its high density of Tannins. There is some evidence to support Amla's utility in helping manage symptoms of arthritis and osteoporosis, supporting healthy cholesterol levels and in maintaining healthy blood glucose and liver function.

What health benefits can I expect to get from taking an Amla supplement?
Amla delivers a wide range of therapeutic health benefits. Among Amla's many health benefits are that it helps support healthy digestion, healthy immune function, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and liver detoxification. Amla also helps fight free radical cell damage and supports healthy aging.

How long do I have to take Amla before I see any benefits?
Unlike OTC and prescription drugs that provide instant, temporary symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying problem responsible for poor health, herbal supplements provide progressive, long-term benefits by helping the body correct the underlying problem. While there are certain classes of herbs that work well in acute conditions to provide quick relief; herbs like Amla need to be taken for at least 3-4 weeks before the benefits of taking it can be experienced. It can take anywhere between 3 months and 2 years to experience the full range of benefits and is optimal when taken as part of a health maintenance program.

Does Amla have any side effects or interactions?
Amla does not have any known side effects. However, it is always recommended to consult your healthcare provider before taking any nutritional supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or currently taking prescription medications.

Is Amla safe for long-term use?
Amla Gold™ is made from a pure extract of Amla and does not contain any stimulants or addictive components and is safe for both short-term and long-term use. Amla Gold™ features Saberry™, a patented extract of Amla, which enjoys self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status.

Is Amla Gold™ a standardized herbal extract?
Yes. Nutrigold^® Amla Gold™ is a standardized, pure extract of the Amla fruit. The Amla extract used in Nutrigold^® Amla Gold™ features Saberry™, the only patented, clinically validated extract of Amla standardized to contain both the naturally occurring Tannins as well as β‐glucogallin, a powerful and reliable bio-marker of Amla's antioxidant potential. The amount of Tannins in Amla Gold™ is 3 to 4 times higher than comparable Amla products.

What is the difference between Amla whole fruit and standardized extract? Does one form deliver better results than the other?
Unfortunately, this question does not have a simple answer. Both whole plants/herbs and standardized extracts have advantages and disadvantages and choosing one over another is as much a matter of philosophy as it is of simple preference.

• Standardized extracts are based on the assumption that certain components of a plant are more active and helpful than others and it is important that there are no differences in the quantity and quality of this active ingredient from batch to batch. When you buy a standardized herbal product from a GMP-certified manufacturer, you can be assured that you are getting a product that has a certified percentage of the active ingredient in every capsule/tablet and across batches, processed using state-of-the-art machinery, and free of contaminants.
• Whole plant/herbs are based on the premise that all the different components work together synergistically to deliver health benefits rather than individual ingredients extracted in a lab. The trade-off in this case is that there are likely to be considerable differences in the actual quality of the herb from batch to batch. Quality of whole herbs/plants vary depending on where they are grown, soil composition, weather conditions, when they are harvested, type and frequency of chemical pesticides used during cultivation, and the processing techniques employed during manufacturing.

What are some things to watch for when making a decision about Amla supplements?
Always, take into account the following factors when determining if you are getting the best quality product at the best value:

• Amla Whole Herb vs. Amla Standardized Extract - whole herbs are generally lower priced than standardized extracts
• Potency of Amla Supplement - Higher potency means you get more of what you need in each capsule
• Amount of active ingredient - higher the % of active ingredient, greater the amount of what is presumed to be responsible for the observed benefits
• Total number of capsules per bottle - just because a product has more capsules per bottle does not make it a better value. You need to consider potency, amount of active ingredient, serving size and recommended dosage when determining whether something is a good value for your money or not

How does Nutrigold^® Amla Gold™ compare to other brands of Amla?
Most preparations of Amla are standardized to Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), which is highly unreliable and unstable biomarker of Amla's antioxidant potential. Amla Gold™ is the only Amla product to be standardized to the highest percentage of Tannins and 10% of beta-glucogallin, both of which are more reliable and stable biomarkers of Amla's antioxidant power.

Advantages of Nutrigold^® Amla Gold™ include:

• Amla Gold™ is made from certified allergen-free ingredients
• Amla Gold™ is formulated using the proprietary, patented, clinically validated Amla ingredient
• Amla Gold™ is a rich source of naturally occurring Vitamin C
• Amla Gold™ contains the highest amount of Tannins & beta-glucogallin of all Amla products currently available
• Amla Gold™ is manufactured in a FDA-registered cGMP-compliant manufacturing facility right here in the US
• The finished product is certified allergen-free by an international, third-party lab
• Amla Gold™ is premium quality without the premium price tag

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical opinion. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before starting any kind of supplementation. The statements and product information have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.