Goji Berry

• Antioxidant protection
• Cellular health support
• Eye health and vision protection
• Immune system modulation
• Anti-aging properties
• Neuroprotection

• Energy and vitality enhancement
• Skin health support
• Blood sugar regulation
• Cardiovascular health
• Liver protection
• Sleep quality improvement
• Mood regulation
• Athletic performance
• Metabolic health
• Cognitive function support

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Enhanced absorption with vitamin C, Improved bioavailability with healthy fats, Synergistic antioxidant effects with other berries, Enhanced immune effects with other adaptogens

Week 1: Start with 50% of target dose

Week 2: Increase to 75% of target dose

Week 3 Onwards: Full target dose if well tolerated

Monitoring: Watch for digestive upset, allergic reactions

Dried Berries: Up to 50g daily (short-term)

Standardized Extract: Up to 1000mg daily

Juice: Up to 200ml daily

Notes: Higher doses may cause digestive upset

Pregnancy Lactation: Consult healthcare provider, traditional food amounts likely safe

Diabetes: Monitor blood sugar closely, may need medication adjustment

Blood Thinners: Avoid or use with medical supervision

Autoimmune Conditions: Use cautiously, may stimulate immune system

Organic Preferred: Reduces pesticide exposure

Third Party Tested: Ensures purity and potency

Proper Storage: Cool, dry place to maintain potency

Expiration Dates: Use within recommended timeframes

Antioxidant Status: ORAC levels, glutathione status

Eye Health: Macular pigment density

Immune Function: White blood cell counts, cytokine levels

Metabolic Markers: Blood glucose, lipid profile

General Absorption: Moderate to good bioavailability depending on form and preparation method

Peak Plasma Time: 2-4 hours for most compounds

Elimination Half Life: Varies by compound: 6-24 hours

Primary Absorption Site: Small intestine

Overall Safety

• Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as food
• High when used appropriately
• Generally safe for long-term consumption in food amounts
• Food supplement, not regulated as drug

Common Side Effects

• [{“effect”:”Digestive upset”,”frequency”:”Uncommon (1-5%)”,”description”:”Mild nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea”,”management”:”Reduce dose, take with food, ensure adequate hydration”},{“effect”:”Allergic reactions”,”frequency”:”Rare (<1%)","description":"Skin rash, itching, or mild respiratory symptoms","management":"Discontinue use, seek medical attention if severe"},{"effect":"Sleep disturbances","frequency":"Uncommon (1-3%)","description":"Difficulty falling asleep when taken in evening","management":"Take earlier in the day, reduce evening doses"}]
• [{“effect”:”Blood sugar changes”,”frequency”:”Uncommon in diabetics”,”description”:”Potential hypoglycemia in diabetic patients”,”management”:”Monitor blood glucose closely, adjust medications as needed”}]

Serious Adverse Events

• [{“event”:”Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)”,”frequency”:”Very rare (<0.1%)","risk_factors":["History of food allergies","Nightshade family allergies"],"management":"Emergency medical treatment required"},{"event":"Drug interactions with warfarin","frequency":"Rare but documented","mechanism":"May enhance anticoagulant effects","management":"Avoid concurrent use, monitor INR if used together"},{"event":"Hepatotoxicity","frequency":"Very rare, case reports only","risk_factors":["Pre-existing liver disease","High doses","Contaminated products"],"management":"Discontinue use, monitor liver function"}]

Contraindications

• [“Known allergy to goji berries or Lycium species”,”Severe autoimmune diseases (with medical supervision)”,”Active bleeding disorders”]
• [“Pregnancy and lactation (insufficient safety data)”,”Scheduled surgery (discontinue 2 weeks prior)”,”Severe diabetes (requires monitoring)”,”Immunosuppressive therapy”]

Drug Interactions

• [{“drug_class”:”Anticoagulants”,”examples”:[“Warfarin”,”Heparin”,”Dabigatran”],”mechanism”:”May enhance anticoagulant effects”,”recommendation”:”Avoid or use with close monitoring”,”evidence_level”:”Case reports, moderate evidence”},{“drug_class”:”Diabetes medications”,”examples”:[“Insulin”,”Metformin”,”Sulfonylureas”],”mechanism”:”May enhance hypoglycemic effects”,”recommendation”:”Monitor blood glucose closely”,”evidence_level”:”Theoretical, some clinical evidence”}]
• [{“drug_class”:”Immunosuppressants”,”examples”:[“Cyclosporine”,”Tacrolimus”,”Corticosteroids”],”mechanism”:”May counteract immunosuppressive effects”,”recommendation”:”Use with caution, monitor immune markers”},{“drug_class”:”Blood pressure medications”,”examples”:[“ACE inhibitors”,”Beta-blockers”,”Diuretics”],”mechanism”:”May have additive hypotensive effects”,”recommendation”:”Monitor blood pressure”}]
• [{“drug_class”:”Antioxidant supplements”,”mechanism”:”Synergistic effects, generally beneficial”,”recommendation”:”Generally safe, may enhance benefits”}]

Special Populations

• {“safety_rating”:”Insufficient data”,”recommendations”:”Avoid therapeutic doses, food amounts likely safe”,”concerns”:[“Potential uterine stimulation”,”Lack of safety studies”],”monitoring”:”Consult healthcare provider”}
• {“safety_rating”:”Insufficient data”,”recommendations”:”Avoid therapeutic doses, food amounts likely safe”,”concerns”:[“Unknown transfer to breast milk”,”Potential effects on infant”],”monitoring”:”Consult healthcare provider”}
• {“safety_rating”:”Generally safe in food amounts”,”age_restrictions”:”No specific restrictions for food use”,”dosage_adjustments”:”Reduce adult doses proportionally”,”monitoring”:”Watch for allergic reactions”}
• {“safety_rating”:”Generally safe with precautions”,”considerations”:[“Increased drug interaction risk”,”Slower metabolism”,”Multiple medications”],”monitoring”:”Regular health check-ups, medication reviews”}
• {“safety_rating”:”Use with caution”,”considerations”:[“Impaired metabolism”,”Potential hepatotoxicity risk”],”monitoring”:”Regular liver function tests”}
• {“safety_rating”:”Generally safe”,”considerations”:[“Altered elimination”,”Electrolyte balance”],”monitoring”:”Kidney function tests”}

Quality Safety Concerns

• [{“contaminant”:”Pesticide residues”,”risk_level”:”Moderate”,”prevention”:”Choose organic or tested products”,”health_impact”:”Potential long-term health effects”},{“contaminant”:”Heavy metals”,”risk_level”:”Low to moderate”,”prevention”:”Third-party testing, reputable sources”,”health_impact”:”Neurological and developmental concerns”},{“contaminant”:”Microbial contamination”,”risk_level”:”Low”,”prevention”:”Proper processing and storage”,”health_impact”:”Acute gastrointestinal illness”},{“contaminant”:”Sulfites”,”risk_level”:”Low”,”prevention”:”Choose sulfite-free products”,”health_impact”:”Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals”}]
• [“Artificial coloring to enhance appearance”,”Addition of sugar or other sweeteners”,”Mixing with lower-quality berries”,”Synthetic additives or preservatives”]

Overdose Information

• {“symptoms”:[“Severe digestive upset”,”Nausea and vomiting”,”Diarrhea”,”Abdominal pain”],”management”:[“Supportive care”,”Hydration”,”Discontinue use”],”prognosis”:”Generally good with supportive care”}
• {“symptoms”:[“Persistent digestive issues”,”Potential nutrient imbalances”,”Increased bleeding risk”],”management”:[“Gradual dose reduction”,”Medical evaluation”,”Monitor for complications”],”prevention”:”Follow recommended dosages”}

Monitoring Recommendations

• [“Blood glucose (if diabetic)”,”Blood pressure (if hypertensive)”,”Liver function (if high doses or risk factors)”,”Coagulation studies (if on anticoagulants)”]
• [“Unusual bleeding or bruising”,”Severe allergic reactions”,”Persistent digestive upset”,”Changes in blood sugar patterns”,”Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)”]

Safe Use Guidelines

• [“Start with lower doses and gradually increase”,”Take with food to minimize digestive upset”,”Choose high-quality, tested products”,”Inform healthcare providers of use”,”Monitor for any adverse reactions”]
• [“Store in cool, dry place”,”Protect from light and moisture”,”Check expiration dates regularly”,”Keep away from children”,”Avoid contaminated or damaged products”]

Global Classification: Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food ingredient

Regulatory Complexity: Varies by country and intended use

Primary Classifications: Food, Dietary supplement, Traditional medicine

Key Considerations: Health claims, Quality standards, Import/export regulations

Increasing Scrutiny: Greater focus on supplement safety and efficacy

Harmonization Efforts: International coordination on standards

Digital Compliance: Electronic documentation and reporting

Consumer Protection: Enhanced labeling and transparency requirements

Sustainability Focus: Environmental and social responsibility requirements

Principle: Goji berries work synergistically with various compounds to enhance bioavailability, efficacy, and overall health benefits

Mechanisms: Enhanced absorption, Complementary pathways, Additive effects, Protective interactions

Definition: Compounds that may reduce the effectiveness, absorption, or safety of goji berry supplementation

Mechanisms: Absorption interference, Metabolic competition, Opposing physiological effects, Enhanced side effects

Timing Separation: Space antagonistic compounds by 2-4 hours

Dosage Adjustment: May need higher doses to overcome antagonism

Form Selection: Choose more bioavailable forms when antagonists present

Monitoring: Regular assessment of effectiveness and safety markers

Lifestyle Optimization: Address modifiable antagonistic factors

Cost Effectiveness Rating: Moderate to good

Price Range: Mid-range superfruit supplement

Value Proposition: Comprehensive nutrient profile with multiple health benefits

Cost Per Benefit: Reasonable when considering broad spectrum of effects

General Stability: Moderate to good stability when properly stored

Key Degradation Factors: Light, Heat, Oxygen, Moisture, pH

Most Stable Compounds: Polysaccharides, Betaine, Fiber

Least Stable Compounds: Vitamin C, Carotenoids, Some polyphenols

Overview

Geographical Sources

Cultivation Methods

Harvesting Processing

Quality Indicators

Supplier Evaluation

Seasonal Considerations

Sustainability Factors

Cost Factors

Storage Transportation

Red Flags

Traditional Name: Gouqizi (枸杞子) in Chinese

Historical Span: Over 2,000 years of documented use

Primary Traditions: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Medicine, Mongolian Folk Medicine

Cultural Significance: Symbol of longevity and vitality in Chinese culture

Safety Profile: Thousands of years of safe use in traditional amounts

Effective Applications: Traditional uses validated by modern research

Preparation Wisdom: Traditional methods often optimal for nutrient retention

Cultural Context: Importance of understanding traditional usage patterns

Sustainability: Traditional cultivation methods often environmentally sound

Overall Quality: Moderate to good

Total Studies: 200+ published studies

Human Clinical Trials: 15+ randomized controlled trials

Animal Studies: 100+ preclinical studies

In Vitro Studies: 80+ cell culture studies

Systematic Reviews: 5+ comprehensive reviews

Long-term safety studies in humans, Optimal dosing for specific conditions, Bioavailability enhancement strategies, Interaction studies with medications, Standardization of active compounds, Comparative effectiveness studies

Large-scale, long-term clinical trials, Personalized nutrition approaches, Combination therapy studies, Mechanistic studies in humans, Quality standardization protocols, Cost-effectiveness analyses