Almost daily in the news we see reports of chocolate’s health benefits. It’s a potent antioxidant, and is chock-full of chemicals and nutrients that have been attributed to making us happy. Yet many of us remain skeptical; eating lots of chocolate doesn’t seem to make us feel better, and in fact can lower energy levels for awhile. So what gives? If chocolate is such a miracle food, shouldn’t we be able to eat it all the time, without guilt and feel great? Well, yes, we can, but the way chocolate is prepared is crucial to unlocking its true potential as a health food. If you’d like to learn how to have a healthy dose of chocolate daily, read on…

Like so many things in our modern world, its the processing of chocolate that makes all the difference. This isn’t just the New Age Hippy types saying this either (as one, the author feels comfortable making this statement). Food chemists and researchers who analyze the molecular makeup of our diets are of the same opinion. It’s RAW, minimally-processed chocolate that’s the miracle food. Un-roasted, un-cooked plain old powdered chocolate, better known as ‘Cacao’, is far superior in every way for your health. Cacao is one of the few foods on the planet now being called a ’super’-food, as it’s nutrient density is so high and its health benefits are so great. Note that ‘organic’ does not mean ‘raw’. Even the premium organic hot-chocolate powders found in the high-end health food stores is still roasted and usually processed with alkali (called ‘Dutch Processing’, making it easier to dissolve in water, and destroying most of the antioxidants at the same time). This means that 99% of the chocolate products on the shelves are NOT the superfood you wished they were, but it also points the direction to how to include chocolate in your life on an exceptionally health daily basis. We’ll get to some recipes in a moment, but first a few points to help you remember why raw chocolate is where it’s at.

First the question of Caffeine. Many folks are sensitive to caffeine’s effect on their nervous system. It raises blood pressure, shortens tempers and keeps people awake. There are however, significant differences in the alkaloid structures of raw and roasted chocolate. Raw chocolate’s stimulation comes primarily from theobromine, which has little anxiety producing effects. Studies by natural wellness professionals and user reports both note that while commercially prepared dark chocolate has a very stimulating action that caffeine sensitive individuals may find too strong, an equivalent amount of raw cacao does not. The stimulating effects are reported mild, gentle, and without a ‘crash’ that is often associated with caffeine. A reason for mothers to think about creating their own raw chocolate treats for their children, too. The jury is still out on the actual amount if caffeine in raw chocolate; some investigators have found none, some have found small amounts in the ’skin’ of the cacao beans, and others of found only small amounts in beans that have fermented somewhat (an indication of a lower-quality cacao). Either way, if you’ve refrained from chocolate because of it’s caffeine content, raw cacao may just be your answer to enjoying this treat again.

The really big news about chocolate has been it’s antioxidant profile. Chocolate contains significant amounts of polyphenols — the same important antioxidants found in green tea, red wine and green apples — but in greater amounts. Dark chocolate contains an impressive 5% of these compounds, yet raw chocolate is made up of an incredible 10% concentration of these possibly life-extending molecules. Both roasting and processing with alkali (to make Dutch cocoa) reduce antioxidant concentration. Further, the increased absorbability of powdered raw cacao (perhaps the most versatile form of raw chocolate) over cacao nibs give them an edge in ORAC value, a measure of Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity.

Maybe the most intriguing constituents of chocolate are it’s mood-altering chemicals besides its stimulation. Many users of raw chocolate find and even greater boost than from commercial chocolates. Like caffeine, some of the molecules attributed to mood-enhancement are also heat sensitive. Tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, is present in significant amounts and is known to be broken down by heat (and apparently it’s not the Tryptophan in the turkey dinners that makes one tired, it’s the three servings followed by pie and ice cream!). Other natural constituents are dopamine and precursors to dopamine, one molecule called the ‘love chemical’ and another called the ‘bliss chemical’. Add to these monoamine oxidase inhibitors which actually enhance the activity of all of the above mood brighteners. Finally, there’s lots of easily absorbed magnesium in raw chocolate, a mineral associated with serotonin production (many pharmaceutical antidepressants increase serotonin activity), and the ability to relax. Raw chocolate offers the healthiest and most effective means of adding these happy-making nutrients to your daily diet.

Need more be said? Ready for some recipes? The simplest means of eating raw chocolate is snacking on cacao nibs. These are small pieces of cacao beans that mix well with natural granolas or dried fruit. For the absolute most profound positive effects on your health, AND the most versatile form of raw chocolate for your recipes, pre-powdered raw chocolate is the best choice. The powder can be added to any drink, or easily made into bars, drops or other shaped candies. By far the most often enjoyed recipe for raw chocolate powder is the simple chocolate drink: Put one heaping tablespoon raw cacao powder, one teaspoon raw agave nectar, and one teaspoon high quality coconut oil in a blender (note that coconut oil quality varies greatly – a good coconut oil should taste pleasant by itself and have no chemical or rancid flavor which would otherwise be noticed in your chocolate drink). Add eight to twelve ounces of hot (but not boiling water) and blend at low speed for about ten seconds. That’s it; Chocolate magic that’s easily adjusted to your tastes — experimenting in whatever way comes to mind is highly encouraged.

There are lots and lots of recipes out there, and great reading on raw chocolate’s health benefits and preparation. You’ll cacao powder often combined with other super nutritious foods in smoothies and good-for-you deserts. Natural organic candies start with the same ingredients as the drinks, but without the liquid. Mixing the chocolate and coconut oil is easiest with your hands (as this gently melts the coconut oil) — making a paste to which you can add any little natural crunchy treats. As you’re not baking anything, there’s little to go awry, and really, so many possibilities. By using raw chocolate, you’ll open up a whole new world of cooking for yourself and your family — and if you hadn’t before, you might just find yourself really motivated to treat yourself to natural health and wellness.

The healthiest diet, of course, is to eat a wide variety of foods including as many whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.  But, there are some foods that, through their chemical natures, are better at protecting the body from cancer.  This article identifies nine of these super-foods, the natural components found in them, and a simplified description of how these phytochemicals work their magic.Before we do that, however, two very important dietary rules for avoiding cancer must be mentioned:  low fat, high fiber.  A diet that is high in animal fats requires the body to release extra bile acids into the intestines during digestion.  The natural bacteria that live in our intestines react with these excess bile acids resulting in the creation of carcinogens.  Eating plenty of fiber keeps the intestines moving quickly, not allowing these carcinogens to cause damage before being eliminated from the body.  In addition, fiber in the intestines actually binds with the bile acids not allowing them to react with the natural bacteria.  The human body is constantly producing unstable molecules called oxidants.  You may have heard these oxidants referred to as free radicals.  Free radicals steal electrons from other molecules which damages the cell proteins and DNA of the original molecule.  This damage leaves the cell vulnerable to cancer.  The active chemicals in food, called phytochemicals, are anti-oxidants.  They search out the oxidants (free radicals) and prevent them from causing damage.  In some instances, phytochemicals can even repair damage already done.  Here’s how it works.BroccoliSulforaphane, found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, boosts the body’s natural cancer fighting properties.  It does this by mobilizing special enzymes in the body called phase II detoxifying enzymes.  These enzymes neutralize cancer-causing agents before they can affect cells.  To receive the maximum benefit of sulforaphane, broccoli should be eaten raw.  Scientists recently discovered that broccoli sprouts contain levels of sulforaphane that are much, much higher than those found in mature broccoli.  You’ll be seeing a lot more broccoli sprouts on my sandwiches and salads!CarrotsAnother recent discovery in the science of plant chemicals is falcarinol found in carrots.  Falcarinol acts as a natural pesticide for the carrot while it is growing, keeping it protected from fungal diseases.  The exact mechanism that falcarinol uses to fight cancer is still unknown.Chili PeppersCapsaicin is the chemical in hot peppers that give them their bite.  At a cellular level, capsaicin induces a state called apoptosis in the cancer cells.  Apoptosis can be defined as programmed cell death.  You could say that it causes the cancer cell to commit suicide.GarlicGarlic contains a chemical allium, which works to increase activity of our body’s natural immune cells.  Allium also causes cells to become more vulnerable to stress created by the by-products of cell division.  Since cancer cells divide very rapidly, they are affected by allium more than normal cells, which divide much more slowly.NutsNuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium.  Selenium has been shown to improve the efficiency with which DNA repairs itself after exposure to damaging free radicals.  Brazil nuts eaten from the shell are especially high in selenium.  In addition, nuts contain omega-3 fatty acid.  The omega-3 fatty acids block a protein that has been shown to increase sensitivity to carcinogens in laboratory studies.Red grapesAnthocyanins, found in dark red and purple foods, can reduce the growth of an enzyme, human DNA topoisomerase II, that triggers the growth of cancer cells in the human body.  Grape juice is an excellent source of anthocyanins.  Good news, read the labels of 100% fruit drinks and you are very likely to find grape juice.SoyThe phytochemical in soy, genistein, inhibits the growth of new blood vessels necessary for tumor survival.  Without these blood vessels, the tumor shrinks.  Soy also works to block bile acids.TeaAntioxidants in tea, catechins, appear to prevent cancer cells from dividing.  The phytochemical EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) present in green tea, binds to a protein found on tumor cells and dramatically slows their growth.TomatoesLycopene, a very powerful antioxidant, isn’t found in many other fruits and vegetables.  Lycopene stimulates the production of phase II detoxification enzymes which neutralize carcinogens and allow them to be excreted out of the body.  Processing tomatoes by turning them into sauce increases the levels of lycopene.So remember, choose vegetables fats over animal fats, pack your diet with a wide variety of fruits, vegetable and whole grains, and include the nine foods mentioned above often.  Live a long, healthy, happy life!

If you watch TV or surf the internet, you must have heard of ACAI fruit. It is a South American berry that has been touted as the new super food. Many celebrities have given testimonials to the power of ACAI (pronounced A-SIGH-EE), and it has been included in all sorts of commercial products from juices to weight loss supplements. The product makers claim that it tastes great, and that it will help people have more energy, fight disease, and even lose weight. So what is this berry, and why is it so popular even though it is very new to the American market?
For one thing, ACAI is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body’s cells fight the damage that oxidation does to them as they age. Other fruits and vegetables also contain antioxidants, of course, but Acai fruit contains them in very high concentrations. In this case, people believe that Acai will help them stave off aging and fight diseases. In fact, Acai juice contains three times the antioxidants of green tea. So people drink juice or swallow supplements that contain Acai as a preventative measure.
Acai fruit also contains a range of essential vitamins of nutrients. You can get vitamin B1, B2, B3, C, E. You will also be taking in potassium, fiber, proteins, phosphorus, calcium, plus ideal fatty acids like Omega 9 and Omega 6 to assist in decreasing cholesterol level. Sometimes our diets are not perfect, and people take Acai to make sure their bodies get the important vitamins and other nutrients they need to function the right way.
Acai fruit packs a lot of fiber. You would have to eat a lot of other fiber rich foods to equal the fiber in a small service of this super fruit. Fiber is very important, and again, it is lacking in many typical American diets. Many people who have digestive problems from colon disease to constipation to food sensitivities are helped by Acai berries.
Does Acai help people lose weight. The US has a huge problem with an overweight population, so obviously our activity level and our diets are not keeping us in shape. How can these berries help?
People report an increase in energy levels and youthful exercise, for one thing. For another thing, their digestive systems are kept clean. They can absorb the nutrients from food, and get more nutrients from acai fruit. So food cravings are reduced, while activity increases. Many acai lovers report that it is much easier to lose weight when they supplement their diets with acai.
Acai fruit also tastes great. The juices I have tried combine a sweet berry taste with a hint of chocolate. Who knew that berries and chocolate could taste so great together, and also be good for us? Well, I assumed they would taste good, but I did not know they would be so healthy.
If you do not think your diet is keeping you healthy and fit, you probably want to take steps to correct it before you develop worse problems. Maybe an acai berry fix should be your first step!

Hi, first let us get all the hype out of the way. You are reading this to satisfy your doubts about ACAI. Right? So why should what I have to say make a difference? You do not know me, nor do you know most of the other people who are hyping this new berry from a palm tree. Before I tell you about ACAI, let me tell you a little about me.
I am a writer-huh!, my name is Jerry W. Rockett. I am published on none medical genre, mostly romantic. I have a book I do hope to publish soon which the title will tell it all, “Run FromYour Doctor.” Here is the important part. The book is the result of my findings while doing alternative medicine research. I was shocked when I found out what our traditional medicine is doing to our bodies and felt the public should know. So perhaps that gives me some credibility.
Here is what is claimed for Acai berry products, they are so delicate you are not likely ever to find the fresh berries. So we will deal with capsules and tablets products.
What are the Chief Health Benefits that have made Acai berries famous?
* Boosts energy levels * Improves digestive function
* Improves mental clarity/focus * Promotes sound sleep
* Provides all vital vitamins * Contains several important minerals
(* Is an extremely powerful free radical fighter)
* Acai has very high levels of fibers
* Cleanses and Detoxifies the body* Strengthens your immune system
* Enhances sexual desire and performance * Fights cancerous cells
(* Slows down the aging process)[* Alleviates diabetes]
* Promotes healthier and younger-looking skin
* Enhances visual acuity
[* Helps maintain healthy heart function]* Improves circulation
* Normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels
* Minimizes inflammation [* Prevents artherosclerosis]
That is probably more information than you really wanted. I flagged three suggested benefits that I question, not that Acai does not aid in these cases but I would not take a bushel of berries to do something that something else does far better. If you want help with diabetes take over the counter minerals Selenium, Chromium Picolinate and Vanadium. If you want to alleviate or prevent artherosclerosis, take 3000 mg of vitamin C and add Chia seed meal to your diet. An extremely high content of Omega 3/6 in the right ratio. One of nature’s secret super foods. Any color just in case you run into the Canada ads.
You see I also two flagged benefits that really relate to the antioxidant content of Acai. They are important considerations but you will not obtain the highest level available for a cost effective result desired.
Now to the bottom line about Acai. It has two major avenues in which the sellers are hyping the product. Cleansing and detoxification of the body, very important and desirable functions. The second is for weight loss. While Acai does have hunger depressants, it is ranked as 101 of 200 available products for that function. As to the cleansing and detoxification, there is some of that, but not the most effective way of accomplishing what you probably desire. In our modern world of food production, it is almost impossible to eat without eating some toxin material. Material which is intentionally put into your pre-prepared food items from your breakfast foods, all the way to your Gourmet. FDA allows food processors to ad without labeling over 15,000 chemicals to enhance flavor, color, shelf life, looks, taste and you name it, they have a compound just for you. Our body in turn treats each of these, along with the simple carbohydrates, as toxins. That only means our body goes into defense mode, when it should be in digestion and health. The point is, if you want to cleanse and detoxify your body, I do recommend doing that, then get a product specific for that function and do it often.
Okay ladies and gentlemen step right up and let me sell you Acai. Yea, yea, I too have an Acai product to sell. I believe this product offers the best Acai has to offer, but not necessarily all the things listed above, not as a sell promo topic. Please understand the difference. I am not promoting Acai with the hype items above, but my product does do all those things as well.
If you really want to lose weight, if you really want to make a positive change for your future health, let me suggest an eating lifestyle change. I will tell you more in a moment. You are genetically programmed by your DNA to be a certain shape, you cannot change that programming. Would it not be better and easier if you developed eating habits that allowed that form of you to show through rather than you trying to chisel a pound here and a pound there, then go back to your old ways. That is one major reasons diets do not work in the long run. You just cannot sustain them. So instead, why not change your eating lifestyle and bring your family along. The cook of the house should not be a short-order cook, but more the conductor of a gastro-symphony of appetizing food selections.
Pssss! One danger to look out for, the old meat and potato guy. He will hate this new style but tell him to grow up and live. Meat requires acid to digest and potatoes require enzymes, when put into the same digestive grinder that is mass conflict often leading to partly digested foods which may get stuck in the large intestines and putrefy. Tell him you will prove it at the autopsy.
Here are the basics to a eating lifestyle change:
No white food.No vegetable oils or margarineNo fried foods
No boxed foodsNo soft drinks, no carbonatedNo sweetened fruit drinks
No fast foodsNo snacks but raw vegetablesNo red meats
No food after 6PM
Do use olive oil and butter. Do eat six smaller meals per day rather than the traditional three. Never miss eating breakfast. Always wash any fresh vegetable and fruit products, you never know where they came from. Use your local farmer’s market if you have one. Drink fresh raw milk, goat is preferred. Eat light portions of the so called white meats, fish, turkey, chicken and pork and if you can get it, rabbit. Nibbling all day on fresh vegetables is a good thing but not raw fruits. Eat fresh fruits at each meal but not in between. Look into pick your own fruit sources, fresher and more nutritious. Get dairy products locally and eat lots of eggs, great for you.
Now here is the surprise. I really do not care where you obtain these next three items even if I do sell one of them. I highly recommend you obtain the Chinese brands of Goji Berries, super high in Beta Carotene and other essential nutrients, a super food. I mentioned this one earlier but I cannot over hype what I feel about the benefits of Chia sead meal. This is a power pack in a tiny seed you can hardly see, but rich in antioxidants, essential minerals, essential vitamins and every thing else you need for good health plus the Omega 3/6 combo mentioned earlier. Then to round out this healthy trio is the Acai. It does contain many of the essential nutrients our bodies need and ads just a twist to how the good compounds are put together, giving our body a great selection of health building nutrients. One other item to round your lifestyle of eating is a better water source. Go to Ebay and purchase a 3 oz. satchel of Prill Beads, Magnesium Oxide pebbles which you use to decontaminate your tap water for all your water based drinking fluid. Read their write up, if you like what they say, buy otherwise drink spring water.

Trying to juggle work, school, and family has taken its big toll on everyone, and by the end of the day, most people are physically and emotionally drained out. Unfortunately, living a hectic, busy life has become a natural part of life, but, many people cannot afford to be tired and worn out. Of course, to most of us boosting our energy level is easier said than done.
Some people are naturally energetic. No matter what the time of the day or night, they have and energy high that justifies envying. Fortunately, there are ways to boost our energy levels, which does not involve overindulgence of Red Bull or Mountain Dew. With winter in full force, many of us start to feel run down, lacking in energy and prone to colds. Sometimes this is connected to low moods, as part of seasonal affective disorder, but often it is just the general depression of winter.
Most people lose energy because of a lot of things going on in their life. A lot of these reasons are because of overexertion, anxiety, following a too strict slimming diet, lack of exercise, high pressured job, poor quality in sleep, low blood sugar, and more. If you eat the right food types, you’ll get plenty of energy from your diet. Eat the wrong foods and you will quickly feel bloated, sluggish and fatigued.
Food is fuel. Consume rice and grains, complex carbohydrates and five portions of fruit and vegetables to gain the maximum energy from food. Fruits such as kiwi, orange and strawberries which are high in vitamin C and may support the immune system. Eating unsaturated fats such as that found in avocado, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils will keep energy levels stable and help the body absorb essential vitamins. Eat regularly, and do not skip breakfast, ever!
A full night of sleep supports the body in warding off infection and leaves people refreshed and revitalized. Lack of sleep causes slowness in brain function and reduces energy significantly. Stick to seven or eight hours of sleep whenever possible.
When people think about staying fit and energized, they generally think from the neck down. But the health of your brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do like thinking, feeling, remembering, working, and even sleeping. Like other parts of your body, your brain may lose some agility as you get older. It can deteriorate even more if you don’t take care of it.
Nobody contains a natural balance of minerals in every cell, and they are essential for your overall health. Due to soil depletion and poor diet choices, we do not get the required amounts of these minerals that are crucial for vital body functions, production of natural energy, and protection from free radical damage.
To boost overall energy levels, substantially supplement daily nutritional needs, boost the body’s immune system, by trying Natural Vision Mind. This is a super drink, it’s what your body needs! It’s charged with the strongest natural antioxidants available, enhanced with over 120 plant derived vitamins and minerals, and utilizes an enriched patented aloe Vera delivery system.

In my medical practice, whenever I begin to talk about Vitamins & Minerals, most people ask “What are Vitamins and/or Minerals, do I need them and what is the best way to get them?”

I begin by explaining that the human body requires certain essential vitamins and minerals to be introduced, usually through food, into the body on a daily basis.

The only problem with this is that our modern day farming techniques can and often does remove an amount of those essential vitamins and minerals. A government study done over seventy years ago warned us that our soils were depleted of many of the necessary nutrients (vitamins and minerals), which means if the nutrients aren’t in the soil, how do you expect them to be in your fruits & vegetables? Modern farmers use fertilizers that speed the growing process, but these fertilizers lack many of the nutrients that need to be in the soil. Than there is the processing of the produce that can remove even more of the vital nutrients. So what are we to do?

The answer is very simple. You need to supplement your diet with a Whole Food Supplement. I do not mean an off the counter, at your grocery store, vitamin and/or mineral, I mean a True Whole Food Supplement. There is a very big difference between the two.

By definition (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), whole food supplements are foods that have been compressed into tablet form, poured into capsules or powdered. The word “whole” indicates that the end product — a supplement — does not contain parts of foods, or synthetic or isolated vitamins. Ideally, the foods comprising these supplements have not been subjected to irradiation, contain no pesticide or herbicide residues, contain no GMO (genetically modified organisms), have not been sterilized, and do not contain animal products that have been subjected to steroids, antibiotics or other drugs. The belief being, the closer to nature, the more benefit foods provide the consumer.

Further, whole food supplements should not contain isolated minerals, amino acids, carotenes or any other substance that is not native to, and still intact within, the original food. Thus, a supplement that contains foods plus a mixture of isolated (also called “fractionated”) vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other substances, does not constitute a whole food supplement. Examples of whole food supplement ingredients may include carrots, broccoli, kale, alfalfa, wheat grass, acerola cherry, cauliflower, kelp, wild pansy, spirulina, bovine liver, bovine kidney, radishes and quinoa.

As for your typical over the counter multi-vitamin/mineral, as Mercola.com puts it, please don’t make the mistake of shopping for supplements at discount stores or large chains like Wal-Mart or Walgreen’s. In my opinion, these are examples of companies that primarily use cheap synthetic ingredients.

Synthetic alternatives to whole foods are known as “isolates”. Your body will absorb only a small percentage of an isolate form of vitamins and minerals and utilize even less. On top of that, there could potentially be side effects, depending on the quality of the isolate.

Many retail outlets and online sellers are primarily interested in your money, not your health. Supplements are not their specialty. Always refer to medical practitioners who specialize in Health & Wellness, for your nutritional questions.

You wouldn’t go to your local Fast Food Restaurant for a nice steak, would you? The same attitude should apply to your health products. You will get what you pay for, so buyers beware.

Consider this when choosing a supplement:

• If the ingredients were all natural, it would say so on their label.

• If the product went through vigorous quality control, you can bet that it would be mentioned.

• If there were no additives or major potential allergens in the product, they would definitely tell you all about it.

Additionally, the ingredients many companies use are not only synthetic, but there is a likelihood they may not have been thoroughly tested for purity and potency.

I am very pleased to tell you that there are products on the market that were designed to meet very high standards. I was asked to help design products, programs and health plans for Health & Wellness. Our core philosophy is that in order to reach True Wellness, you must have proper weight control and proper nutrition. This can only be accomplished by using Whole Food products, exercise and a little determination.

The bottom line is that in order to achieve Your Bodies Optimal Best, you must start with a solid nutritional foundation; we at Ultra International believe we have done just that. Using nothing but the finest ingredients, our Soul Super Food and Mind Super Drink is second to none.

Soul Super Food

• The Natural Visions Soul Super Food is a “Whole Food” Supplement, made from fruits, vegetables, herbs and mushrooms.

• Every Essential Vitamin & Mineral

• Probiotics

• Digestive Enzymes

• Antioxidants

• Glyconutrient Aloe Vera

• Made up of over 100 Essential nutrients that the body requires to perform at its optimal levels.

Mind Super Drink

• The Natural Visions Mind Super Drink is the most complete nutritional drink on the market today.

• The highest antioxidant levels of any drink

• 120 vitamins & minerals

• Glyconutrient enriched Aloe Vera

• 2 oz. serving will deliver about 4500 units based on the ORAC scale

• You will notice a natural increase in energy as well as providing the most packed infusion of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that your body can utilize for your optimal health.

If you have a True interest in your body and health, which everyone of us should, please take the time to learn more about these revolutionary products and programs at: www.myui.com/lscg. Mind Body & Soul. Think It, Feel It, Live It.

Show me a single human being that isn’t interested in health related nutrition, preventing diseases and slowing the aging process – if you are that single person, this article is of no interest to you, sorry.

You are still reading..well, aren’t we all..?

Fruits, vegetables, red meat, fish, red wine etc. – what should we eat, when and how much ? What vitamins, minerals, and trace elements should we add to our diet? And the questions just keep on piling-up…

Where are the answers? Is there a new discovery not known to all of us? THERE IS – Antioxidants.

You’re right it is not a fruit, nor is it a vegetable however, scientific studies revealed that this is, by far, the most important substance we should all be looking for in our food, and the higher the antioxidant level, the better.

What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damages caused by unstable molecules known as Free Radicals. Free radical damages lead to cancer as well as rapid aging. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals, thus preventing the damages. The National Cancer Institute wrote “…considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicates that antioxidants slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer…”

How and Why?

Free radicals are molecules with incomplete electron shells which make them more chemically reactive than those with complete electron shells. Exposure to various environmental factors (we are all exposed to all of them!) leads to free radical formation. In humans, the most common form of free radicals is Oxygen. When an Oxygen molecule (O2) becomes electrically charged or “radicalized”, it tries to steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage to the DNA and other molecules. Over time, such damage, if not taken care of, become irreversible and leads to cancer and speedy aging. Antioxidants are often described as “mopping up” free radicals, meaning, they neutralize the electrical charge and prevent the free radicals from taking electrons from other molecules.

O.k., now that we know what’s the most important substance for our Health, Wellness and Longevity, let us examine what’s out there for us to consume..

The scientists at the National Institute on Aging, NIH, Maryland, came up with a method to let us know who has the best available Antioxidants (by “who”, I mean which food..). This method is called ORAC – Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.

There is ONE STAR that is way-up in the ORAC test. It was not known to the western world until recently. This STAR is 10 times stronger than anything we knew !!!  You surely wonder what this ORAC STAR is, well, a little bit of patience…

We are told to consume 5-7 fruit & vegetable servings every single day (ha ha..), drink a glass of red wine every single day (a good idea but, how on earth ??) and so on and on and on..come on, get realistic – we are all so busy that we hardly find the time to eat properly!

Would someone PLEASE get us a SINGLE (or max 2) FOOD Product that when consumed, will provide our body with all (or most) of what’s needed ? PLEASE!?

Guess what ? – ACAI !!!

This strange word is A SINGLE Fruit’s name. Here’s what this magic fruit includes:

A M A Z I N G!!!

Here’s a SINGLE FOOD ITEM, ACAI, that is, literally, a “LIFE IN A BOTTLE” !

Where can we get it?

Well, we could climb 90ft high palm trees in the Amazon rainforest (that’s the only place on earth the ACAI grows) or, we could buy variations which are available on the market place. There are  a few ACAI products (or, so-called..Acai products) out there which one can choose from. I investigated almost all of them (and they are not cheap but, can you put a price tag on your health..?).

To my humble opinion (well, not only mine, read the P.S.) there is only 1 Acai product that enables us to get the majority of the outstanding content. The reason being is the manufacturing process. This manufacturer uses a combination of Acai pulp and freeze-dried powder in its scientifically formulated blends. This fruit drying method (which, by the way, is patented), retains all the natural goodness of the fresh ACAI – A TRUE BLESSING TO ALL OF US!

This article has been written for your general knowledge, and has no intention of selling you anything..If you are genuinely interested in exploring the essence of this magical fruit, you will have to email me (you may find my email in the resource box – no spam!).

Working for Your Health,

David Smith

P.S.

Here’s what Dr. Alex Schass, the World’s leading

independent researcher, said about the benefits of

this drink on OPRAH’s :

ACAI

Nature’s Energy Fruit

It may seem odd to start this list of superfoods with one you’ve likely never even heard of. But studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Acai (ah-sigh-ee) is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree.

Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, Acai tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature’s perfect energy fruit. Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although Acai may not be available in your local supermarket, you can find it in several health food and gourmet stores (often in juice form). A new product featuring the unsweetened pulp is now also available, and I highly recommend that you choose this form of Acai.

Acai pulp contains:

* A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.

* A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.

* An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

The fatty acid content in Acai resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging.

We all know that we should treat our bodies better than we do sometimes. But, more often than we would like, that is easier said than done. Some of us tend to try to burn the candle at both ends, so to speak, and a little to often. Despite our good intentions we can, occasionally, fall victim to a wide variety of temptations that are not too good for us.
One of these temptations is eating in a hurry because we are starving Marvin’s. In moments of weakness, our old diet habits shift into auto pilot mode and propel us into taking the path of least resistance. We succumb easily to fast and convenient foods because it’s easier not to plan ahead. I am guilty of that too, from time to time. You can do yourself a huge favor by learning to shop differently for food.
How about when we feel we must work harder, more hours, and more often than we like, or had planned? When we put those extra efforts into our work life, and sometimes our recreational life too, we end up short-changing ourselves on sleep. Not getting enough rest or relaxation can be something we have a hard time making up.
As a culture, and on the average, we tend to fall into old social pressure habits. We try to make up for our lack of stamina by fighting our body’s stresses with too much caffeine, using herbal supplements, energy drinks, and often combine these with almost no physical activity. We fool ourselves into thinking there is a quick fix for our lack of go-power somewhere.
So, when you hear about the two new latest buzz words called ’super foods’, and how they can help make you feel better you are all ears. Unlike other diet fads that have come and gone throughout the years, eating a diet high in a wide variety of super foods really do have a lot of healthy stay power. They are not likely to fall out of grace any time soon due to lack of results, as they really do have healthy enhancing benefits.
Congratulations, if you are making a real conscious decision to include more of them in your daily diet. However, you will have to do more than just drink a cup of green tea every day, or eat a piece of fresh fruit once in a while to get the full effect of erasing, or reversing, the damage done over many years.
Eating and drinking differently with the intent to get the healthy effects you are looking for takes a certain amount of dedication on your part. You have to understand that going this route will not be a quick solution. Don’t make the mistake of viewing these foods as boring, or as an unsatisfying, diet food plan. Look at it as a complete dietary lifestyle change.
Take small steps as you learn, and until you are feeling more confidant and secure in your new choices. Get comfortable with the idea that this may be a lengthy road you are taking. See it as a happy, ongoing journey of ever learning. Lower your expectations in how long you think it might actually take to reach your goal.
With that being said, technically, the term ’super food’ includes most all foods in their whole, raw, and unprocessed form, with a few exceptions. Here are just a small few of the miracle health foods to incorporate into a healthy diet plan.
Fruits and vegetables: Eat them freshly harvested when possible, and raw or uncooked. Steaming or stir-fry is acceptable, and considered lightly cooked. Frozen is next best, and preferred over canned. These plant foods are are full of photolytic compounds, antioxidant vitamins, minerals, fiber, and enzymes.
Oils: Fish oils found in cold water fish are high in heart, brain, and joint healthy omega-3 fatty acid oils. Coconut oil is a saturated plant oil that is necessary for optimal health. Try to find a coconut oil that has not been treated with solvents or heated to extract the oil. Olive oil is nutritionally best, although stronger tasting, when consumed as extra virgin. Extra virgin is less refined and higher in vitamin E. A mostly monounsaturated oil.
Nuts: Are chock full of minerals, and have vitamin B-9 (folate), vitamin B-3 (niacin), vitamin E, protein, fiber, and iron. They are higher in monounsaturated oil than polyunsaturated.
Sprouts: Are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and protein. They are one of the most nutritionally complete of all foods. They are considered a living food because, even after their harvesting, they continue to grow slowly and the vitamin content increases upon refrigeration. They can be fun to grow yourself, and there are many different types of sprouts.
Green tea: Is considered to be the most nutritionally superior of all teas, although other varieties of teas do contain healthful properties as well. Green tea is especially high in antioxidants called ‘polyphenols’. This substance has recently been found to reduce the health damaging effects of HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). It is best, however, to avoid the commercially distributed product varieties and brew your own.
Flax seeds: Is a good plant source of omega-3 fatty acid, a different fat chain of omega-3 than fish oil. A photolytic compound called ‘lignans’ found in flax seeds is also a good source of fiber. Flax seeds are nutritionally better for you than flax seed oil. Grinding the seeds is preferred, as they are very small and are better absorbed by the body. A pepper mill works great for this, and you can eat the ground seeds on cereals, salads, and more.
Tomatoes and carrots: Are a few exceptions to the raw is better than cooked way of eating fruits and vegetables. One theory explains that more of the available photolytic antioxidants like ‘lycopene’ in tomatoes, and ‘beta carotene’ in carrots are released in the cooking process by breaking down the plant cells.
When it comes to fluid intakes, eliminating processed beverages high in caffeine, sugar and artificial sugar, and alcohol is a very helpful move, that has far reaching health benefits. You will be amazed at this one technique alone!
Outside of raw milk, fermented drinks like kombucha tea and kiefer, fresh juiced juices, or home brewed teas water should be, by and large, making up the bulk of your main fluid intake. It should be around three fourths of what to be drinking each and every day.
Don’t forget to add a bit of unrefined salt to your kitchen salt shaker. It is much higher in trace minerals than the cheaper, grocery store variety of refined salt. Increased water intakes calls for adequate salt ratios.
Expect some of these diet changes to taste a little differently to you for a while. It helps to ingrain in your mind a positive mental picture, in that these foods are way better for you than processed. Before long, you will begin to notice they actually do taste, and satisfy, better than refined, processed foods. You can season with fresh or died herbs if you like, to enhance the flavor of these foods even further.
Again, please don’t forget to drink plenty of water with your new diet plan. Water should be considered the ’super’ body fluid solvent to maximize your new super food diet results.