Before we actually dive into the amazing world of health related breakthroughs and diets, we must first define what a super food really is.  In a nutshell, a superfood is the type of food that is able to provide all or most of the nutrients and minerals that our bodies need in order to function properly and maintain a healthy metabolism, in other words, a superfood will always deliver the maximum nutritional punch in comparison with the rest of the foods which need to be complemented in order to provide the nutritional value found in super foods.

Expert studies

Dr. Nicholas Perricone (MD), a professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has conducted several studies in order to determine which the foods and natural products are able to deliver maximum benefits to our skin, Dr. Perricone is a dermatologist who has taken upon himself the difficult but rewarding task of finding natural products that will do more than just keeping our skin healthy.

Dr. Perricone has been the author of several books but, one of his most recent publications has caught the attention of the media mainly because it provides a very useful list of foods which are able to deliver the maximum nutritional value our bodies need and at the same time promote good overall health, that publication is called the Perricone Promise.

Oprah Winfrey and Media Coverage

Because of the intense research and useful information found in the Perricone Promise Oprah Winfrey featured Perricone’s book on her show which gave it national syndication, amongst the many super foods that Dr. Perricone mentions in his book, the one that caught everyone’s attention was the super food mentioned as the number one, Acai berry.

Acai is a berry which grows at the top of certain palm trees which can only be found at the Amazonian basin, this fruit has been categorized as the top superfood because it delivers many of the nutrients and compounds that our body means in order to maintain a healthy metabolic process and to a certain level slow down the aging process, this fruit was referred to as a natural product which should be used in order to achieve and maintain age defying beauty.

Not only did Opera Winfrey covered the many benefits that Acai provides, NBC reported that “the Anomabi” Indians have believed for centuries that this fruit helps women recuperate after birth and it is also able to deliver a great deal of energy to anyone who drinks of its juice; the Vogue magazine calls it the next big workout cocktail and the London Times said that Acai is able to deliver such a high nutritional value that makes other fruits blush with inadequacy, a statement which is well put.

The bottom line when it comes to this Brazilian berry is that it contains extremely high levels of antioxidants, omega-9, omega-9 and several other nutrients which have age slowing properties, can help lose weight and in recent laboratory studies an Acai extract triggered a self-destructive sequence amongst leukemia cells, this last finding may prove that Acai can do a lot more than just beautify your skin.

Whole food supplements are often the most effective way to boost your immune system, metabolism and energy levels. The very best Whole food supplements are made from concentrated whole foods commonly called super green foods.
These super green foods contain a variety of whole green foods, each containing concentrated nutrients. The vitamins provided by these whole food supplements are not isolated. They are highly complex structures that combine a variety of enzymes, coenzymes, antioxidants, trace elements, as well as many other compounds that work together synergistically.
These complex specific combinations that form naturally in whole foods are important because it enables this vitamin complex What vitamin cmplex? to work for your body. It is not nearly as healthy or helpful to tear apart the natural nutrients within this complex system. Even science cannot take these nutrients apart and isolate them from the whole and create the same synergistic energy that whole foods give. Why would we expect synthetic vitamins and minerals to do the same job in the body as a natural, whole complex is designed to do? Your body can tell the difference between synthetically produced nutrients and natural nutrition.
Overall, whole foods nourish us much more than refined foods because they contain complex combinations of nutrients. Whole foods like super green foods are based on blue green algaes, grasses and other foods that have concentrated nutrition. These are nutritional elements your body can easily digest, absorb and utilize immediately. Whole foods are bio available, which means your body can use these nutrients immediately.
It takes very little energy to digest and absorb these whole foods which makes them especially valuable for people who need quick physical recovery, children, the elderly or people who are sick. Having a quick source of super concentrated nutrition can be a life saver for everyone at some point.
Many people call super green foods the miracle food. This could be because super green whole foods have been found to assist cellular metabolism. It also helps you maintain blood sugar levels and because of its high alkaline content, it also helps neutralize excess acidity. This Excess acidity can lead to acid reflux and painful digestion.
Many naturopaths believe that our processed, fast food diets contribute to a general acidity associated with disease and lowered immune response.
Super green whole foods can help a variety of illnesses.
As a supplement, Chlorella (from super green foods) has been shown to help reduce pain in fibromyalgia and reduce blood pressure and blood fat in hypertension. Chlorella also attaches to heavy metals and dioxin to help eliminate them naturally from the body. Chlorella has been found to help prevent the growth of tumors because of its glycoproteins that enhance the migration of T cells to tumor sites.
Another common ingredient is Spirulina. Spirulina contains unusually high amounts of protein, between 55 and 77% by dry weight, depending upon the source. It is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids. It is rich in other vitamins, amino acids and protein, such as that from from what
Super green whole food supplements are incredibly cost effective. You can have a super green energy drink for less than a dollar a day. This is much cheaper than the handful of chemically produced vitamin pills you might already eat. Literally -for less than a cup of coffee- you can have all the nutrition your body needs plus a burst of healthy quick energy.

A super food is a food that is considered especially nutritious or beneficial to health and well being.  It is often an overused marketing term to promote certain products containing some of the healthiest foods.  Of course, there are many different kinds of food that are good for you, but some are better than others.  Next time you head to the grocery store, try adding some of the following foods to the top of your shopping list. 

Start your day right with some fresh berries, especially blueberries.  They are rich in antioxidants, low in calories, and high in water and fiber to maintain proper blood sugar levels and help you feeling full longer.  Add them to low fat or fat free plain yogurt as a natural sweetener.  Yogurt is higher in calcium that some other dairy products and includes other nutrients such as protein and potassium.  Try to buy yogurt enhanced with vitamin D or add some skim milk to your morning coffee to get your daily dose of dairy.  Finally, eggs are a good source of protein to keep you filled up longer, eating less calories and promoting weight loss.  

For a healthy mid day meal, it is better to pack a power lunch than to scramble for a quick fix at a fast food place.  Be sure to base it around protein to increase energy levels throughout the afternoon.  Beans are loaded with insoluble fiber and are a super healthy substitute for meat.  I like to toss some black beans into my salad or make bean tacos as a pleasant change from beef or chicken.  Edamame soy beans are one of my favorite snack foods and they contain heart healthy omega – 3 fatty acids. 

Lastly, you will want to have a healthy dinner to prepare yourself for the next day.  Salmon with sweet potatoes is one of the simplest, yet most delicious meals in the world.  Rich in omega – 3 fatty acids, salmon is also good source of iron.  Loaded with vitamins A and C, calcium, and potassium, this super orange food is much healthier than a white baked potato.  Other top super foods include broccoli, nuts, and kiwi.  So, go ahead and eat heart healthy!

Beauty is not only skin deep it is how healthy you are as well, having a healthy body is a must for looking beautiful eating right is a factor in achieving that, for it truly is true you are what you eat, therefore knowing which foods to eat to help you achieve the very best health is a must. Many herbs and wild foods have been studied and have shown to help build  immune systems and help fight cancer and help in your over all health, but it is important to know which ones to add and keep in your diet to achieve and keep quality health.Many Star Chefs are offering dishes using wild weeds. Doctors have now been exploring  foods that have proven power in acheiving good health. They call them super foods.

There are many super foods and eating super foods as well as organic herbs and some wild foods and greens can help you achieve good health and boost your immune system which can help you fight off colds and some cancers.Webmd did an article on the super foods and stated ” Some super foods  are tomatoes, apples, broccoli, studies have shown that eating tomatoes and broccoli, together,  the combination was more effective at slowing prostate tumor growth than either was alone (from a study in which male rats were given prostate tumor cell implants).Apples that have the peel still on them it has shown that the bulk of an apple’s anticancer properties are hidden in the peel. The phytochemicals in the apple flesh seem to work best with the phytochemicals in the peel to reduce the risk of cancer. Tomatoes that are cooked with the peel on,  with olive oil. ninety-eight percent of the flavonols (powerful phytochemicals) in tomatoes is found in the tomato skin, along with great amounts of two carotenoids. Absorption of these key nutrients is much greater when the tomatoes are cooked and when you eat some smart fat (like olive oil) along with the cooked tomatoes. Cruciferous vegetables. Two phytochemicals naturally found in cruciferous vegetables (cambeneindole 3-carbinol) were more active when combined, according to research that tested the compounds alone and together in rats. The researchers found that the two compounds were able to protect the rats against liver cancer much better together. Both cambene and indolecarbinol are known to activate important detoxification enzymes that help the body eliminate carcinogens before they harm our genes. Foods rich in cambene include Brussels sprouts and certain varieties of broccoli. And all cruciferous veggies are rich in indole 3-carbinol”.

Other foods good for building your immune system is  Purslane a weed it can do wonders. It grows wild and is used by many Great Chefs and is highly sought after by the rich and famous costing upwards of $30.00 per once wholesale, ibuysss.com Magazine included in an article showing Chefs such as Star Chef Steve Johnson using  purslane.The very edible weed grows in many places. I have gone walking and have spotted it growing out of cracks of side walks and many places that just any plant can not grown, it is viewed as a determined plant, as it can survive the most hostile environments such plants when wild are viewed as important meaning many feel if a plant can grow in such hard environments it has more powerful properties that are good for you. Purslane has been found to be rich in Omega-3 fatty acids it is richer then many leafy vegetables.It also contains vitamins (mainly vitamin A, vitamin C, and some vitamin B and carotenoids), as well as  magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Also present are two types of betalain alkaloid pigments, the reddish betacyanins (visible in the coloration of the stems) and the yellow betaxanthins (noticeable in the flowers and in the slight yellowish cast of the leaves).

Both of these pigment types are potent antioxidants and have been found to have antimutagenic properties in laboratory studies one wonderful way to eat purslane is to mix it in a salad with other greens such as mizana, if picking purslane in the wild, use a guide who knows all types of wild plants, never pick any wild green or flower or herb unless you know. One good way to know a plant is to grow it your self you can also purchase seeds and plant purslane on your own. If you cultivate it there are many more purslane plants to grown such as golden purslane or the green variety, both are good. Eating salads rich in greens are also good and can do wonders for your health it is best to grow your own and you can do that very easy on a windowsil or in a pot on your porch or a spot in your yard that is covered from animals. There are are many items you can get to enable you to keep the critters out! There are many seed mixtures that offer a good balance and mix.

A Quality mix will include greens and herbs, such as green onion which you pick by snipping off the top Kyona Mizuna, Red Russian kale, Komatsuna, Red Giant mustard, and Tatsoi, all of these greens are high in nutrients add colored lettuces which are high in vitamins stay away form empty green iceberg lettuce which has no value at all. Eat vitamin  rich foods with high properties of nutrients. Colored lettuces  have a high number of vitamins over the green iceberg which is mostly water.

A word about organic greens and organic foods as you know there is no truly organic food as they are grown in soil and all soil is polluted from over the years of lead in the gas as well as many pesticides used in growing and in the enviroment that do not break down, but still it is good to buy foods that the grower or producer did not use chemicals in the production. Eating right goes a long way in the way you feel and being healthy and staying away from drinking alcohol and smoking is a must to achieve better health and keeping it. It is wise to study herbs as they continue to offer many wonderful properties that are good for your immune system such as garlic for colds and Cayenne  pepper is used worldwide to treat a variety of health conditions, including poor circulation, weak digestion, heart disease, chronic pain, sore throats, headaches and toothache. Chamomile  is a good herb for helping to relieve stress. Knowing which foods to eat will go along way in achieving a more beautiful you.

Whether you are a fan of vegetables and super foods or not it is essential that you include them in your diet. There are a number of benefits to including these healthy foods into your daily diet. Super foods are packed with nutrients and contain vitamins, minerals, and many other nutrients. Here are 6 healthy super foods you should include in your diet.
1. Berries
Berries are toward the top of the list for healthy foods because they are packed with antioxidants to help protect the cells from damage. They also contain a great deal of Vitamin C and soluble fiber. A common worry with aging is short term memory loss, which blueberries can help prevent.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli is certainly not among the top of the list for many people when it comes to super green foods. But broccoli is one of the healthiest greens you should be including in your diet. It is excellent at helping prevent cancer and is great for boosting your immune system. This can help you fight off the common cold and stay healthy.
3. Garlic
Although garlic often gets overlooked, numerous studies have shown that a regular consumption of garlic can lower our blood pressure. On top of lowering our blood pressure, it also prevents the blood from being overly sticky and decreases the LDL cholesterol. While LDL is the bad cholesterol, it helps increase the good cholesterol, HDL cholesterol.
4. Spinach
Spinach is another super green food that may not taste the best but is something you definitely want to include in your daily diet. Lutein is one of the best foods for preventing cataracts, which is a large part of spinach. Another benefit to spinach is that lutein helps prevent age related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of preventable blindness.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are something that taste good and are extremely healthy for you. There are high levels of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant to help protect the cells in our bodies from damage.
6. Turkey
Turkey is among the top meats you will want to include in your diet. It is one of the leanest protein foods and is low in calories. Another thing it contains is selenium, which has been found to inhibit cancer development, improve the immune system, and assist the metabolism.
7. Spirulina
This ancient blue green algae my look unappetizing but it packs a real nutritional punch. This microscopic food contains large amounts of protein, vitamins, mineral sand is easily absorbed for instant fuel. It is naturally low in fat and sugar and provides a large assortment of phytonutrients as well.
These are just a few of the best super foods you can and should include in your daily diet. You can benefit greatly from them by increasing your immune system, providing you with more energy, and preventing a number of diseases.

We’d all love to find a food or “super pill” that will cure anything that ails us, from the common head cold to the extra ten pounds we find ourselves trying to sweat off every Christmas. Many nutrition companies swear that these products are already available on the market. The question is, are they really? Do these products truly offer hope, or are they just more of the same when it comes to nutrition nonsense?   Weight Loss   Imagine the improved health and happiness that men and women all over the world would be able to enjoy if there were really such a thing as a weight loss super pill that could help you lose weight while still continuing to enjoy your favorite his calorie latte every morning. Unfortunately, regardless of the claims of marketing companies all over the world, such a thing doesn’t exist.   What’s more, there may be danger in them there hills when people go looking for a fast solution to their weight loss dilemma. Some products sold over the counter, such as herbal preparations that contain the herb ephedra, have been linked to real health problems. Other products, such as those that are supposed to increase serotonin (a neurochemical involved in appetite regulation), just have not been proven. The danger there may lie in wasted efforts (to say nothing of wasted money), pinning your hopes on an approach that takes you nowhere.   Bottom Line: When it comes to healthy weights, there’s no substitute for healthy living. It’s a pleasant, safe way to be the best you can be.   Herbal Supplements   Ask women why they take herbal supplements such as ginseng, echinacea, gingko and St. John’s wort, and some of the most common responses are to:   Improve energy Promote weight loss Relieve stress Improve memory Improve mental performance   Do these herbs really have such wonderful effects? Well…maybe. But it’s wise to be cautious. In most cases, there is just not enough research to hang our hats on. Even if there were, product consistency is sorely lacking. There’s no guarantee when it comes to the amount of active ingredient you actually get when you buy various supplements – you could get too little in some and too much in others. Finally, these herbal preparations may have a severely negative effect on the medications that you’re already taking, leaving you feeling like the cure was worse than the disease.   Bottom Line: Take the claims that these supplements make with a grain of salt, and make sure your health care provider knows about herbs you take. She or he can give you guidance based on your individual situation.   Super Foods   The first food that comes to mind when you start talking about super foods is soy. Is it the answer to the challenges women face as they get older, such as menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease, as so many people claim? There’s no question it’s a great food , but is it really a super food? Soy provides protein for vegetarians and anyone else who wants to reduce the amount of animal food they eat. What’s more, research does show that eating a diet rich in soy can help cut risk of heart disease. Whether it cuts cancer risk or prevents hot flashes – that’s not so clear. Then there’s the challenge – do you like the stuff?   Bottom Line: Steer clear of pinning your hopes on these so-called “Super foods”. The best advice remains the same: Eat a variety of foods that include grains/starchy vegetables, protein foods, vegetables and fruits. That way, if you don’t like one particular food, you will likely be able to get similar benefits from others foods you enjoy.   But give soy (a protein food) a try. There are plenty of choices, and you may find that you enjoy them far more than you originally believed. Try tofu instead of chicken in stir fries, sample soymilk if you can’t drink regular milk (get the calcium-fortified kind), and enjoy a veggie burger made with soy instead of a hamburger occasionally. The jury’s still out in soy powders – whether they really provide the benefits you want from soy. Best to stick with the real stuff.   Antioxidants & Other Vitamin/Mineral Supplements   After several years of recommendations from very credible sources to take antioxidants daily, recent studies indicate supplements of vitamins C, E and beta-carotene offer no increased protection against heart disease. Once again, it seems that the higher levels of antioxidants from the foods we eat, e.g. fruits and vegetables, rather than single nutrients are the best way to go. Why? Perhaps because foods also contain additional components such as fiber and other nutrient and non-nutrient components that are not found in single supplements.   Here’s a quick list of phytonutrients (plant nutrients, including antioxidants) that may offer real health benefits and the plants they come in:   Beta carotene — Enjoy apricots, mangoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach and other dark-green, leafy vegies. Lutein — Try kiwi, broccoli, spinach. Lycopene — Pink grapefruit and tomatoes are among the best sources. Anthocyanins — Blueberries, cherries, plums and strawberries fill the bill here. Phenolic compounds – Savor berries, grapes, tomatoes and apples.   In addition, there’s plenty of time-tested research that shows many women don’t get enough calcium or vitamin D, particularly those over the age of 40 and those who live in northern climates and/or do not drink milk. Adequate folate is critical for women of childbearing years, to reduce risk of birth defects. It’s also important to control homocysteine levels in the blood — too much is linked to heart disease. Fortified cereals and other grain foods, leafy greens and legumes are excellent sources of folate.   Younger women likely need supplemental iron, but it is not recommended for postmenopausal women. Fortified cereals are an easy way to add iron to the diet.   Bottom Line: Nutrient deficiencies in the diet are not at all uncommon, but there’s no need to overcompensate. At this time, many researchers believe that multivitamin/mineral supplements, or individual supplements that provide no more than 100% of the daily needs for a individual nutrient, or fortified foods are preferred methods by which to supplement the diet.   The Bottom, Bottom Line   It comes down to this. While there may some truth to many of the nutrition or health claims we hear, in most cases it is too soon – sometimes too dangerous – to act until we know more. Even though scientific research is a very slow, methodical process involving repeated studies and can take years to sort out the facts, experience shows it’s usually better to be safe than sorry. Think carefully before you make any changes in your diet or health routine, particularly if the change is based on the findings of a single study, and always run these changes by your health care practitioner.