acai

acai

(ah-sah-ee) ,

acai berry

(trade name),

acai extract

(trade name),

acai fruit

(trade name),

amazon acai

(trade name),

cabbage palm

(trade name)

Classification

Therapeutic: lipid lowering agents

Hypercholesterolemi.Osteoarthritis, erectile dysfunction, weight loss and obesity, detoxification, aging skin, and metabolic syndrome.

Action

In vitro, acai pulp and skin powder has potent antioxidant activity against superoxide and peroxyl radical. It also inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 in vitro.

Therapeutic effects

Reduced total cholesterol levels.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown.

Half-life: Unknown.

Time/action profile

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraindications/Precautions

Contraindicated in: No known contraindications.

Use Cautiously in: Pregnancy.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Miscellaneous

• None reported.

Interactions

None reported.None reported.

Oral (Adults) 100 g acai pulp twice daily for metabolic syndrome.

Availability

Acai Smoothie Pack: 100 g acai pulp

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Assess areas relevant to rationale for taking acai.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Deficient knowledge, related to medication regimen (Patient/Family Teaching)

Implementation

• As a food, the acai berry is eaten raw and as a juice. The juice is also used commercially as a beverage and in ice cream, jelly, and liqueurs.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Discuss with patient purpose for taking acai.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications.
• Advise female patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Decrease in cholesterol.
• Evaluate based on rationale for taking acai.