Download Superfoods for Healing

7 Superfoods to Heal Your Body
Goji Berries
The goji berry, a sweet red fruit native to Asia, serves as both a botanical
medicine and a food, and has a very pleasant taste – somewhere between a
cherry and a cranberry. It has been used as a medicinal food for thousands of
years, and has been studied extensively in modern times to substantiate its health
benefits. With over 15% protein, 21 essential minerals, and 18 amino acids, as
well as lyceum barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), goji berry is a nutrient-dense
superfood in a class all its own.
LBP also contains lutien and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial to visual acuity. Goji
berries are an abundant source of nutrients that can provide retina protection,
and are thus particularly recommended for diabetic patients.
In addition to LBP, the fruit contains a full complement of other nutrients:
• 18 amino acids, including the 8 essential ones
• More antioxidant carotenoids than are found in any other known food,
including more beta carotene than carrots, and zeaxanthin (which
protects the eyes)
• Rich source of vitamin C
• Nearly as much protein as bee pollen
• 21 trace minerals, including germanium, an anti-cancer substance rarely
found in foods
• Vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and vitamin E
Benefits of goji berries:
• Strengthens the immune system
• Increases longevity and protects from premature aging
• Helps prevent cancer and aids remission
• Protects the liver
• Builds strong blood and promotes cardiovascular health
• Supports eye health and improves vision
• Maintains healthy blood pressure and blood sugar
• Stimulates secretion of human growth hormone
• Strengthens muscles and bones
• Supports normal kidney function
• Improves fertility and treats sexual dysfunction
• Helps reduce obesity
1
Raw Cacao Beans
Antioxidants: Cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested so
far, including blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas. In fact, it has up to
four times the quantity of antioxidants found in green tea. Health benefits of
these antioxidants include:
• Promote cardiovascular health – Help dilate bloods vessels, reduce blood
clotting, improve circulation, help regulate heartbeat and blood pressure,
lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
• Protect from environmental and metabolic toxins – Help repair and resist
damage caused by free radicals, and may reduce risk of certain cancers.
• Neurotransmitters: By increasing the levels of specific neurotransmitters
in our brains, cacao promotes positive outlook, facilitates rejuvenation
and simply helps us feel good.
• Serotonin – Cacao raises the level of serotonin in the brain; thus acts as
an anti-depressant, helps reduce PMS systems, and promotes a sense of
well-being.
• Endorphins – Cacao stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a
pleasurable sensation.
• Phenylethylamine – Found in chocolate, phenylethylamine is also created
within the brain and released when we are in love. Acts as mild mood
elevator and anti-depressant, and helps increase focus and alertness.
• Anandamide – Anandamide is known as the “bliss chemical” because it is
released by the brain when we are feeling great. Cacao contains both Nacylethanolamines, believed to temporarily increase the levels of
anandamide in the brain, and enzyme inhibitors that slow its breakdown.
Promotes relaxation, and helps us feel good longer.
Essential Minerals: Cacao beans are rich in a number of essential minerals,
including magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and
manganese.
• Magnesium – Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones,
and helps regulate heartbeat and blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency,
present in 80% of Americans, is linked with PMT, hypertension, heart
disease, diabetes and joint problems.
• Sulfur – Sulfur builds strong nails and hair, promotes beautiful skin,
detoxifies the liver, and supports healthy pancreas functioning.
• Essential fats: There is a misperception that chocolate is fattening. In
truth, the fats in cocoa butter are healthy fats. Cacao contains oleic acid,
a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, also found in olive oil, which may
raise good cholesterol. Also, substances found in cacao are known to help
reduce appetite.
Important Note: To fully benefit from chocolate’s wide array of nutrients, eat
chocolate that is as close to its natural state as possible. Whole cacao beans and
nibs are best.
2
Maca
Maca is a nutrition-packed root vegetable, also known as “Peruvian ginseng,” that
grows in the mountain plateaus of the Peruvian Andes. It is rich in amino acids,
phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This plant has been credited with many
healthful effects, including:
• Increasing energy, stamina and endurance
• Supporting the immune system and adrenal function
• Reducing chronic fatigue
• Regulating and supporting the endocrine system
• Maca is a powerful adaptogen that has long been used to treat
menopausal symptoms and is now being prescribed by many health
practitioners as a safe, effective alternative to Hormone Replacement
Therapy.
From a nutritional standpoint, maca is rich in sugar, proteins, starches, and
important minerals, such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. It also
contains numerous trace minerals (including iodine), B vitamins, linoleic and oleic
oils (essential fatty acids), and 18 amino acids, including 7 of the 9 essential
amino acids.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a remarkable micro-algae that supplies a wealth of concentrated
vegetable nutrition. It is one of the richest sources of complete protein, with three
times as much protein as beef. It provides the highest levels of beta-carotene,
with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids, providing good antioxidant
protection. Spirulina is also an excellent source of B-complex vitamins, iron, and
trace minerals, and it contains an astonishing 1% by weight of the rare essential
fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). It balances and strengthens the immune
system, helps enhance cardiovascular health, suppresses harmful bacteria and
stimulates beneficial microflora, and increases absorption of nutrients and
promotes digestion and bowel function. Its antioxidant properties enable it to help
reduce cancer risk. And it helps with weight control, allergies, visual problems,
carbohydrate disorders, anemia, and many other conditions.
The unique combination of phytonutrients in spirulina—including chlorophyll
(green pigment), phycocyanin (blue pigment), and polysaccharides—can also help
cleanse the body of accumulated toxins. Spirulina has long been known to
accelerate detoxification during fasting and cleansing, and it has been shown to
significantly reduce kidney toxicity caused by mercury and some pharmaceutical
drugs.
3
Benefits of spirulina:
• Serves as a rich source of complete protein
• Provides highest levels of beta-carotene of any food
• Contains significant amounts of GLA
• Balances and strengthens the immune system
• Enhances cardiovascular health
• Promotes digestion and bowel function
• Possesses strong antioxidant properties
• Accelerates detoxification processes
• Inhibits replication of the HIV virus in vitro
Acai Berries and Acai Powder
The acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) gets most of its antioxidant properties from the
high concentration of anthocyanins; in fact up to 30 times more anthocyanins
compared to red wine make acai powder one of the most antioxidant rich
superfoods available. The acai fruit pulp is rich in fiber, protein and contains
essential fatty acids, all of which combine to help promote healthy digestive and
cardiovascular systems.
Like many antioxidant-rich superfood powders, acai powder is freeze-dried within
24 hours of the fruit being picked; a process that removes moisture from the fruit
at a very low heat. This allows the powder to retain the nutritional benefits of the
raw fruit.
Benefits of Acai:
• Promote a healthy immune system
• Promote a healthy digestive system
• Have a positive effect on cholesterol levels
• Help protect your skin and organs against premature aging
• Improve energy, vitality and mental acuity
• Help cell regeneration and healthy tissue growth, neutralizing free
radicals that can lead to cancer
Camu Camu
Camu camu fruits contain more vitamin C than any other plant in the world from
30 to 60 times more than an orange. They also contain amino acids including
serine, valine, and leucine; and significant levels of beta carotene, calcium, iron,
niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin, and thiamin. It has astringent, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, emollient and nutritional properties.
4
Benefits of Camu camu:
• Provides immune system support
• Helps maintain good eyesight
• Reduces inflammation
• Supports collagen, tendons, and ligaments
• Helps fend off viral infection
• Improves respiratory health
• Helps maintain clarity of mind during stress
Hemp Protein Powder
Hemp protein powder is one of nature's richest sources of protein, fiber and
essential fatty acids. It contains all 10 essential amino acids and is an excellent
source of fiber.
Hemp Protein Powder is cold milled to preserve valuable enzymes, minerals and
vitamins.
Benefits of Hemp Protein Powder
• It is a protein that contains all the essential amino acids our bodies need
(ones our bodies cannot make). No other plant has all of these proteins
that are so easily digested.
• Hemp seed is a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 (essential fatty
acids) and provides an ideal balance between the two.
• It is also a very good source of omega-9. These healthy fats are not
stored in our bodies so it is important to consume sufficient amounts
daily.
• Has good fiber content (which is important for the digestive system)
• Has many vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants (such as vitamins
A, C, and E).
5