Chlorella
Chlorella is a genus of single-celled green algae. Chlorella is considered as a healthy natural supplement. But in truth it is actually a whole food. It contains 60 percent protein, all essential amino acids, and high levels of beta-carotene and chlorophyll. And because it is a whole food, it also satisfies the appetite while providing the energy from good nutrition, which is perfect for those dieting. Chlorella is also a powerful detoxifier of heavy metals and pesticides. Numerous research projects in the U.S. and Europe indicate that chlorella can aid the body in breaking down persistent hydrocarbon and metallic toxins such as mercury, cadmium and lead, DDT and PCB while strengthening the immune system response. Chlorella also detoxifies bowel, liver and blood, improves your digestive system, balances your body’s pH because it’s alkaline (most diseases thrive in acidic environments but not in alkaline ones) and also normalises blood sugar levels. You can get Chlorella in tablet, capsule or powder form, the latter can be added to smoothies and green juices.
Maca
Lepidium meyenii or maca is a cruciferous vegetable in the mustard family, related to radishes and turnips and native to the high Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Maca comes under the herbal classification of being adaptogenic. Adaptogens are herbs such as ginseng that are traditionally thought to help the body to adapt to increased or ambiguous stressors. Maca is a very densely nutritious food that contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and all the essential amino acids. The amino acid content of this plant gives it an average bioavailable protein content of around 14% of the entire weight of the plant. Maca certainly has an impressive array of minerals, with notably high levels of bioavailable calcium. This powerful food is also a libido stimulant! Maca can be bought from whole food retailers in tablet, capsule or powder form. It can be added to smoothies, cakes, raw bars, salads and cereals.
Goji Berries
By now surely everybody’s heard about goji berries, and how good they are for you. Goji Berries contain over 18 amino acids and all nine essential amino acids: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine. These are essential for proper body functions. Goji's have higher levels of vitamin C than oranges and contain 21 trace minerals, including germanium, a trace mineral rarely found in foods. Goji's also contains Beta-Sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory agent. Goji berries help stimulate your body’s natural human growth hormone which is critical in anti-aging and longevity. Can be bought as dried berries or in capsule.
Raw Cacao
Raw Cacao is one of the most powerful sources of magnesium available. Not only does magnesium help with alertness and activity, it also helps elevate your mood. Studies show that 80% of us are chronically deficient in Magnesium and it is the most deficient major mineral in the standard UK diet. As well as Magnesium, most people in the west also have a lack of the mineral sulphur in their diets. Raw cacao is also high in sulphur which is one of the most important building blocks in our bodies, being present in every single cell. It is known as the 'beauty and healing mineral' as it helps to build strong nails, shiny hair and beautiful skin. It also detoxifies the liver, supports healthy pancreas functioning, promotes circulation and decreases inflammation. Raw chocolate containsTtryptophan, an essential amino acid, which helps naturally produce serotonin in your body. Raw cacao is one of the greatest sources of anti-oxidants to be found in any food, nearly twice the anti-oxidants found in red wine and up to three times the amount found in Green Tea. Raw cacao also contains:
- Monoamine Oxidase Enzyme Inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) which allow more serotonin and other neurotransmitters to circulate in the brain. These natural chemical are associated with happiness. MAO inhibitors may also be facilitated with youthening and rejuvenation.
- Phenylethylamine (PEA) – known as the ‘love’ chemical because it is released when we are in love.
- Anandamide - known as the ‘bliss chemical’ because it is released while we are feeling great.
The raw cacao has always been and will always be Nature’s #1 weight loss and high-energy food. It’s known as a natural appetite suppressant which aids weight loss. Now you must think I’m kidding, everybody knows that chocolate makes you fat. But virtually all of the “bad” calories that make you fat from eating conventional chocolate bars are from the processed sugar, dairy and unnatural added fats. Cacao in its raw form doesn’t contain sugar. And most raw cacao products use natural sweeteners, like agave nectar or organic sugar cane juice, which aren’t as harmful to your health. You can get raw cacao in several forms from whole food shops: raw cacao nibs (great in mueslis and smoothies), raw cacao powder (smoothies) and raw chocolate bars as a great and healthy afternoon snack.
Sea vegetables
Also called seaweed, it’s one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. They are primitive sea plants which belong to the algae family, and are indigenous to the northern Pacific coasts. Sea vegetables are extremely nutritious, comparing favourably with leafy green land vegetables. An excellent source of many minerals, especially iron, calcium and iodine, absorbed from their sea water environment, they are reputed to contain 10-20 times as much as land vegetables weight for weight. They are very low in calories, fat and cholesterol; they contain a high level of soluble fibre and some are high in protein and certain vitamins. The following are some of the most popular types: Nori: dark purple-black colour that turns phosphorescent green when toasted, famous for its role in making sushi rolls. Kelp: light brown to dark green in colour, oftentimes available in flake form. Hijiki: looks like small strands of black wiry pasta, has a strong flavour. Kombu: very dark in colour and generally sold in strips or sheets, often used as a flavouring for soups. Wakame: similar to kombu, most commonly used to make Japanese miso soup. Arame: this lacy, wiry sea vegetable is sweeter and milder in taste than many others. Dulse: soft, chewy texture and a reddish-brown colour. You can enjoy sea vegetables in soups, stews and salads, use flakes instead of salt or just have some kombu or dulse as a delicious and salty snack (instead of potato crisps).
Bee pollen
Bee Pollen is one the most unique, powerful and complete superfoods. It is the most nutritious natural substance to be found on the face of our planet. Bee Pollen is a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other nutrients, the widest range to be found anywhere in nature. Bee Pollen contains:
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is comprised of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are immediately converted into energy rather than being stored as fat. Coconut oil also stimulates the proper function of your thyroid gland. Coconut oil is heart-healthy and fantastic for weight loss as it speeds up the metabolism. Virgin coconut oil, unlike other saturated fats, actually contains no cholesterol, so it does not increase blood serum cholesterol level. You can use coconut oil when cooking instead of olive oil, perfect for woks and stir fries as it tolerates heat better than olive oil. You can also use it in smoothies, instead of butter on toast or on baked potato and even as a body cream and hair conditioner!
Camu Camu
Also known as Cacari and Camocamo, it’s a small bushy tree found in rainforests in Peru and Brazil, and has red-purple cherry like berries. Camu Camu is almost unknown in Western world, and not much studied, but well known and prized in Japan. Camu camu is mainly used for its edible fruits. The most important property of camu camu fruit is its extraordinarily high vitamin C content. It also contains powerful phytochemicals with health benefits, including amino acids Serine, Valine and Leucine. Camu Camu is also rich in Limonene, a phytochemical which has shown the ability to reduce the appetite and aid in weight loss. Camu camu fruit has surprising range of health-promoting effects, it helps to strenghten immune system, maintain healty gums, eyes and skin amongst many others. It is also great anti-viral, anti-oxidant, antimutagenic, antiseptic herb, and it helps against colds, asthma, depression, infertility, migraine, herpes, osteoarthritis and edema. You can get camu camu from good online superfood retailers in capsule or powder form, which you can add to smoothies or breakfast cereals.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae that exists as a single celled organism turning sunlight into life energy. Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. About half are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are yellow xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection. This tiny aquatic plant offers 60% all-vegetable protein, essential vitamins and phytonutrients, the rare essential fatty acid GLA, sulfolipids, glycolipids and polysaccharides. Unlike other forms of protein, the protein in Spirulina is 85-95% digestible, one of the highest available. Spirulina comes in tablet, capsule or powder form.
Sprouts
When seeds start to sprout, all the stored energy and nutrients become available and easy for us to absorb. Eating sprouts regularly can result in an enormous improvement in general health, boosting the immune system, revitalizing and strengthening the body, improving digestion, combating tiredness and stress. Sprouts grown at home and harvested at the dinner table are the freshest food you’ll ever eat. They won’t have lost vitamins like shop bought vegetables or have travelled round the world. They will be organically grown, full of life and energy. Sprouting is ridiculously cheap! You can get pounds of greens for pennies. It’s also easy - it all comes down to "just add water." With few resources and very little time or effort, you can supply yourself an abundance of live food, in your home, all year round. If you travel, they can too.
So which ones I take at the moment? I use spirulina in my morning green juices, raw cacao in smoothies or with muesli in soya milk, coconut oil in smoothies and in cooking, goji berries with muesli or on it's own, maca in tablet form in mornings, seaweed in salads or snack and sprouts in salad. I've ordered chlorella tablets, bee pollen and kelp capsules. I don't intend to have all superfoods every day, it's best to rotate, different supplements different days. I'd like to get some camu camu as well, it's a bit more pricey though...
Sea vegetables
Also called seaweed, it’s one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. They are primitive sea plants which belong to the algae family, and are indigenous to the northern Pacific coasts. Sea vegetables are extremely nutritious, comparing favourably with leafy green land vegetables. An excellent source of many minerals, especially iron, calcium and iodine, absorbed from their sea water environment, they are reputed to contain 10-20 times as much as land vegetables weight for weight. They are very low in calories, fat and cholesterol; they contain a high level of soluble fibre and some are high in protein and certain vitamins. The following are some of the most popular types: Nori: dark purple-black colour that turns phosphorescent green when toasted, famous for its role in making sushi rolls. Kelp: light brown to dark green in colour, oftentimes available in flake form. Hijiki: looks like small strands of black wiry pasta, has a strong flavour. Kombu: very dark in colour and generally sold in strips or sheets, often used as a flavouring for soups. Wakame: similar to kombu, most commonly used to make Japanese miso soup. Arame: this lacy, wiry sea vegetable is sweeter and milder in taste than many others. Dulse: soft, chewy texture and a reddish-brown colour. You can enjoy sea vegetables in soups, stews and salads, use flakes instead of salt or just have some kombu or dulse as a delicious and salty snack (instead of potato crisps).
Bee pollen
Bee Pollen is one the most unique, powerful and complete superfoods. It is the most nutritious natural substance to be found on the face of our planet. Bee Pollen is a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other nutrients, the widest range to be found anywhere in nature. Bee Pollen contains:
- All the essential amino acids
- A full spectrum of vitamins especially vitamins B12 and E; and significant amounts of B1, B2, B3, B5, C, and vitamin D
- Various minerals including calcium, manganese, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, aluminium, magnesium and copper
- Trace elements and enzymes (including antioxidants), and co-enzymes, pigments, xanthophylls, carotenes, and sterols, phytosterols, lignans (dibenzyl butanes) isoflavones and flavonoids
- Hormone precursors (which stimulate hormone production and help anti-ageing)
- Carbohydrates and fatty acids
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is comprised of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are immediately converted into energy rather than being stored as fat. Coconut oil also stimulates the proper function of your thyroid gland. Coconut oil is heart-healthy and fantastic for weight loss as it speeds up the metabolism. Virgin coconut oil, unlike other saturated fats, actually contains no cholesterol, so it does not increase blood serum cholesterol level. You can use coconut oil when cooking instead of olive oil, perfect for woks and stir fries as it tolerates heat better than olive oil. You can also use it in smoothies, instead of butter on toast or on baked potato and even as a body cream and hair conditioner!
Camu Camu
Also known as Cacari and Camocamo, it’s a small bushy tree found in rainforests in Peru and Brazil, and has red-purple cherry like berries. Camu Camu is almost unknown in Western world, and not much studied, but well known and prized in Japan. Camu camu is mainly used for its edible fruits. The most important property of camu camu fruit is its extraordinarily high vitamin C content. It also contains powerful phytochemicals with health benefits, including amino acids Serine, Valine and Leucine. Camu Camu is also rich in Limonene, a phytochemical which has shown the ability to reduce the appetite and aid in weight loss. Camu camu fruit has surprising range of health-promoting effects, it helps to strenghten immune system, maintain healty gums, eyes and skin amongst many others. It is also great anti-viral, anti-oxidant, antimutagenic, antiseptic herb, and it helps against colds, asthma, depression, infertility, migraine, herpes, osteoarthritis and edema. You can get camu camu from good online superfood retailers in capsule or powder form, which you can add to smoothies or breakfast cereals.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae that exists as a single celled organism turning sunlight into life energy. Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. About half are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are yellow xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection. This tiny aquatic plant offers 60% all-vegetable protein, essential vitamins and phytonutrients, the rare essential fatty acid GLA, sulfolipids, glycolipids and polysaccharides. Unlike other forms of protein, the protein in Spirulina is 85-95% digestible, one of the highest available. Spirulina comes in tablet, capsule or powder form.
Sprouts
When seeds start to sprout, all the stored energy and nutrients become available and easy for us to absorb. Eating sprouts regularly can result in an enormous improvement in general health, boosting the immune system, revitalizing and strengthening the body, improving digestion, combating tiredness and stress. Sprouts grown at home and harvested at the dinner table are the freshest food you’ll ever eat. They won’t have lost vitamins like shop bought vegetables or have travelled round the world. They will be organically grown, full of life and energy. Sprouting is ridiculously cheap! You can get pounds of greens for pennies. It’s also easy - it all comes down to "just add water." With few resources and very little time or effort, you can supply yourself an abundance of live food, in your home, all year round. If you travel, they can too.
So which ones I take at the moment? I use spirulina in my morning green juices, raw cacao in smoothies or with muesli in soya milk, coconut oil in smoothies and in cooking, goji berries with muesli or on it's own, maca in tablet form in mornings, seaweed in salads or snack and sprouts in salad. I've ordered chlorella tablets, bee pollen and kelp capsules. I don't intend to have all superfoods every day, it's best to rotate, different supplements different days. I'd like to get some camu camu as well, it's a bit more pricey though...
Superfood munching toddler - sprouts and dulse are favourites while helping mummy with juicing.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment