By: Jennifer Kays
We have always heard that we need to eat our greens, but we are just now discovering how vital the health benefits of green foods are to our living well. Naturopaths have recommended the use of green foods to enhance the treatment of diseases such asthma, candida, lupus, HIV and many others. One pound of wheat grass or one pound of barley grass has more nutritional value than twenty-five pounds of organic vegetables. Blue-green algaes, i.e. spirulina, have high levels of vitamins, minerals, and protein that exceed the equivalent weight of meat or soybeans. Alfalfa contains all known vitamins. The phyto-nutrients in green foods are packed with valuable anti-oxidants. Green foods made from fruit and vegetable extracts that come in capsules, tablets, wafers or powders can be the nutritional equivalent of eating all the fruits and vegetables that we should eat daily but don't because of our fast paced and processed, fast food lifestyle. These green foods in supplement form have more nutrient density i.e. an ounce of these concentrated green foods in supplement form contain much more of the beneficial phytonutrients found in an ounce of green vegetables. In addition to vitamins, minerals and protein, green foods are also packed full of antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, coenzymes and fibre.
The green color of green foods comes from the phytochemical chlorophyll which is the equivalent, in plants, of the oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in our red blood cells. Chlorophyll has been shown to have beneficial effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune response, and cancer prevention. Chlorophyll inhibits bacteria that cause disease, bad breath and internal odors.
Chlorella is a green food that is a complete food in itself. Chlorella has massive amounts of chlorophyll and protein as well as high levels of all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, amino acids and rare trace minerals. Chlorella has more B12 than a equal serving of liver. It's high RNA and DNA content are believed to fight against the effects of ultraviolet radiation.. Chlorella is a powerful antioxidant that reduces high blood pressure, lowers harmful cholesterol, accelerates wound healing and improves our immune system. Chlorella from green foods, in supplemental form, has been shown to help reduce pain in fibromyalgia, reduce blood pressure and blood fat in hypertension, and help heal and reduce pain in ulcerative colitis. Chlorella has been found to help in the prevention of the growth of tumors because of its glycoproteins that enhance the migration of T cells to tumor sites. Chlorella attaches to heavy metals and dioxin and helps eliminate them from the body.
Spirulina is one of the more well known green foods. Spirulina contains gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic and arachidonic acids, vitamin B 12, essential amino acids, nucleic acids RNA and DNA, chlorophyll and phycocyanin. Spirulina has been found to enhance our immune system, reduce cholesterol and enhance mineral absorption. With it's high nutrient and protein content, spirulina is especially helpful to people suffering hypoglycemia. Spirulina has been used to assist in the treatment of cancer and HIV because of it ability to aid in nutrient absorption and it's ability to strengthen the immune system. Sprulina has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, helps reduce blood pressure, helps control symptoms of ulcerative colitis and aids in digestion, helps protect the liver from toxins e.g. heavy metals, and helps reduce allergies. Spirulina and other blue-green algaes are rich in essential fatty acids, phenolic antioxidants, chlorophyll, B vitamins, carotenoids and minerals such as calcium iron, magnesium maganese, potassium and zinc.
Kelp is also a well known green food. Kelp is a seaweed common in Asian food. It is high in B vitamins and iodine content and therefore has been used to aid in the treatment of certain thyroid diseases. Poor thyroid function has been found to be a major factor in the cause of weight gain and obesity. Kelp is also believed to be beneficial to brain tissues and membranes, sensory nerves, spinal cord tissue and blood vessels. The high iodine content in kelp has lead to the use of kelp to combat the effects of radiation.
Wheatgrass contains a large variety of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. People have reported experiencing a definite increase in energy after ingesting wheatgrass. It has been used as an important part of treatments for diseases, such as cancer, immunological disorders, and mental health disorders. Before WWII, tablet of wheatgrass and barley grass was used as a common vitamin supplement, especially throughout the midwest section of our country. Barley grass contains all essential amino acids, chlorophyll, flavonoids, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, minerals and enzymes. Barley grass has been used most often to treat stomach and intestinal disorders as well as being used as an anti-inflammarory.
Alfalfa is one of the most mineral-rich foods on the planet. Alfalfa contains all known vitamins, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. It's mineral content is in naturally balanced form which results in natural maximum absorption. Alfalfa has been used to help treat arthritis, anemia, bleeding gums and even cancer.
Studies have shown that green foods in concentrated supplemental form, eliminates toxins such as heavy metals and increases levels of good bacteria such as lactobacilli that are essential for good digestion and elimination, The oxygen-carrying ability of green foods is extremely effective in digestion of foods for vital nutrients, prevention of fungal growth in intestinal passages that can produce a condition of candida. The oxygen distributing and enhancing quality of green foods is vital for cell function of muscles, organs and brain health.
Green foods contain lutein which is an antioxidant found in high levels in the macula which is an eye tissue. The macula helps tell the brain what the eye is seeing and is responsible for the central vision that enables us to drive, read, and see clearly in general. Lutein also helps reduce macular degeneration and cataract development that occurs with our aging.
Green foods have been found to support cellular metabolism and because of it's high alkaline content, helps to neutralize excess acidity that leads to acid reflux and general acidity associated with our processed, fast food diets. Green foods with their high enzyme and coenzyme content enhance digestive process and health and the absorption of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. Green foods provide benefits of enhancing the health and appearance of skin, hair and nails and delay the natural effects of aging.
Green foods consumed in supplement, concentrated form through capsule or tablet is a very convenient and important way that we can insure that we are receiving the health benefits of these nutrient packed natural plants. Green Foods, in powdered form, can be added, mixed or blended into juices, added to cooking or combined with fruit or protein powders for energy, help with weight loss or for enhancing general health in a natural way. Optimum health requires providing our bodies with the best possible nutrients for growing and maintaining cellular well ness and function. Green Foods are a super form of these best possible nutrients that will help us live well and long.
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Jenny has more than twenty years experience with all natural health care products. More information about the health benefits of greens foods is available at => www.sweetmedicineessentials.com/anti-aging-antioxidants-c-5
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Nutritional Health Supplements 101: Deciding If You Need Any In Your Diet.
By: Bekie Cohner-5496
Until recently most nutritionists would have said that it is unnecessary to take supplements as you can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a healthy diet. But now many experts are eating their words. New studies show that we can benefit from extra helpings of certain nutrients. You do not need a fistful of pills in fact mega dosing can be dangerous. And you still must eat right that means maintaining a healthy diet featuring vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, dairy and enough fiber.
Given out faulty food habits one multi vitamin and one multi mineral tablet a day with the regular dietary requirements may be beneficial. A daily pill can plug a few nutrient gaps, and it may help u live longer. But always be cautious of overdose. Now the question is that how should one choose from the multitudes of multi vitamin and multi mineral tablets available in the market. The answer to this question is that one should always skip products marketed for stress, heath health or other special conditions as they are more expensive and the extra ingredients are of questionable benefit. One should always go for a brand that packs no more than hundred percent of Recommendation Daily Allowance from the national council for medical research as some may contain a dangerous amount of certain nutrients.
The ladies on post menopausal should choose a tablet with little or no iron. As overload of this mineral can lead to heart problems. She should opt for a tablet with calcium supplement of one gram per day. This will prevent osteoporosis. One should not get attracted to a brand because of its high price as the regular brands can provide the same benefits as fancy label pills. But one should always be careful of the overdose as it can be toxic for the body.
The vitamin D plays a key role in growing strong bones and keeping them healthy by facilitating the absorption of calcium. Of late vitamin D is also gaining attention for helping to head off other medical problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, colon, breast and ovarian cancers. Experts believe that there is nothing else you can take that has this ability to prevent cancer. There is no such specified dietary recommendation for vitamin D as it was believed that we get enough of it from sun exposure. However experts now advise that adults should consume about one thousand international units of vitamin D either from food or from pills. Supplements generally contain four hundred international units per tablet. Over dosage is toxin for both adults and children. Toxicity can lead to constipation, back ace and high cholesterol. Increase in calcium levels may lead to hypertension and heart problems.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Bekie Cohner is a health and wellness professional with 16 years experience helping people make the right decisions for everything from Exercise Equipment to nutritional supplements .
Until recently most nutritionists would have said that it is unnecessary to take supplements as you can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a healthy diet. But now many experts are eating their words. New studies show that we can benefit from extra helpings of certain nutrients. You do not need a fistful of pills in fact mega dosing can be dangerous. And you still must eat right that means maintaining a healthy diet featuring vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, dairy and enough fiber.
Given out faulty food habits one multi vitamin and one multi mineral tablet a day with the regular dietary requirements may be beneficial. A daily pill can plug a few nutrient gaps, and it may help u live longer. But always be cautious of overdose. Now the question is that how should one choose from the multitudes of multi vitamin and multi mineral tablets available in the market. The answer to this question is that one should always skip products marketed for stress, heath health or other special conditions as they are more expensive and the extra ingredients are of questionable benefit. One should always go for a brand that packs no more than hundred percent of Recommendation Daily Allowance from the national council for medical research as some may contain a dangerous amount of certain nutrients.
The ladies on post menopausal should choose a tablet with little or no iron. As overload of this mineral can lead to heart problems. She should opt for a tablet with calcium supplement of one gram per day. This will prevent osteoporosis. One should not get attracted to a brand because of its high price as the regular brands can provide the same benefits as fancy label pills. But one should always be careful of the overdose as it can be toxic for the body.
The vitamin D plays a key role in growing strong bones and keeping them healthy by facilitating the absorption of calcium. Of late vitamin D is also gaining attention for helping to head off other medical problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, colon, breast and ovarian cancers. Experts believe that there is nothing else you can take that has this ability to prevent cancer. There is no such specified dietary recommendation for vitamin D as it was believed that we get enough of it from sun exposure. However experts now advise that adults should consume about one thousand international units of vitamin D either from food or from pills. Supplements generally contain four hundred international units per tablet. Over dosage is toxin for both adults and children. Toxicity can lead to constipation, back ace and high cholesterol. Increase in calcium levels may lead to hypertension and heart problems.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Bekie Cohner is a health and wellness professional with 16 years experience helping people make the right decisions for everything from Exercise Equipment to nutritional supplements .
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