Minimize Free Radicals for Vibrant Health

Free Radicals Are Implicated In Nearly All Health Challenges are produced in response to many different everyday things, such as:

• Foods subjected to high heat (especially animal products (chickens and other birds, cows, pigs, fishes, lambs, eggs, dairy products, animal fats and proteins, and metabolic waste products contained in animal tissues- organs) and refined foods such as white sugar, white flours, hydrogenated oils, etc.)
• Environmental pollution (from air, water, household chemicals, asbestos, pesticide residues, & other man-made pollutants including the out-gassing of plastic and other synthetics)
• Preservatives, Food  Colorings, and other food additives
• Smoking and passive smoke          Exposure to excess heat or cold
• Metabolism        Medical Treatment including medications
• Alcohol        Bacteria       Parasites             Heart Disease & Strokes
• Chemotherapy & Radiation     Prescription & Over The Counter Drugs
• Lack of Truly Clean & Fresh Air
• Radiation (including electromagnetic radiation from anything electric such as outside power lines; wires in your home/work, TVs, computer monitors,
• Use of Ovens (microwaves are the worst!)
• Nutrient deficiencies (major & minor) which can still occur even on the best of diets (even fresh, raw foods contain only as many nutrients as the soil in which they were grown)
• Sunburn      Stress (any)    Tap Water, etc.
• Judgment or any other non-positive mental state
• Synthetic materials such as Polyester, Acetate, Satin, Plastics, etc.
• We are exposed to 70,000 chemicals -- 20,000 of which are known cancer-causing agents. These all cause free radical damage too, and help to cause cancer in yet another way

BAD !!

12 superfoods that can improve your life

These dietary dynamos fight everything from cholesterol to cancer, helping you live a longer, healthier life.

By  Stephanie Rogers   & Don Porter

·         BERRY GOOD: Blueberry extracts have been shown to help prevent infectious bacteria from clinging to the walls of the gut, bladder and urethra. (Photo: pfala/Flickr)

·         Not all foods were created equal -- some are so packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and other beneficial substances that they've been deemed "superfoods." Superfoods have incredible health benefits, packing a powerful nutritional punch that helps protect against cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, protect the organs from toxins and improve digestive health. Some nutritionists even say superfoods can help you live longer.

·          Here are 10 superfoods that can supercharge your diet, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, legumes, grains and fish.

·          Açai: This exotic berry from the Amazon has been the subject of intense hype, but there's a good reason why it's so trendy. Named by famed nutritionist Dr. Nicholas Perricone as his No. 1 superfood and one of the most powerful foods in the world, açaí (ah-sigh-ee) contains a remarkable concentration of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. It's considered one of nature's best offerings to combat premature aging thanks to its high monounsaturated oleic acid content. Oleic acid helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate cell membranes, making them more supple.

·          Yogurt: It's alive! Yogurt contains active cultures known as "friendly bacteria" that restore healthy balance in the digestive system. Among the most well-known cultures is Lactobacillus acidophilus, which passes through the stomach and populates the intestines, helping the body fight off infection. One cup contains 50 percent more calcium than the same size serving of milk, and it's also full of potassium, riboflavin, magnesium and phosphate.

·          Broccoli: This cruciferous vegetable is loaded with vitamin C, folic acid and carotenoids, which are packed with vitamin A and can protect your cells from the damage of free radicals, enhance immune system function and improve reproductive health. Just one serving (1 medium stalk) provides 175 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, which helps build strong bones and plays an important role in blood clotting. Just half a cup of broccoli per day is also said to help prevent a number of cancers, particularly cancers of the lung, colon, rectum and stomach.

·          Lentils: Among the most nutritious legumes, lentils are a great source of cholesterol-lowering fiber and lean protein. They contain lots of iron and B vitamins and are very filling, yet low in calories. Folate and magnesium also contribute to heart heath and improve the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

·         Chia Seeds also Pumkin Seeds !

·          Sweet potatoes: They'll satisfy your craving for starches but are far healthier than their white, nutritionally lacking cousins. Carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium and fiber are just a few of the benefits of eating this savory-sweet veggie, which is ranked among the highest vegetables on the nutrition scale. Sweet potatoes can help stabilize blood sugar, making them a great choice for diabetics, and are relatively low in calories.

·          Blueberries: Hidden within the juicy, deep blue-purple flesh of this tasty fruit is cancer-fighting ellagic acid, an antioxidant that has been proven in laboratory research to slow the growth of some cancerous tumors. Blueberry extracts have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and help prevent infectious bacteria from clinging to the walls of the gut, bladder and urethra.

·          Wild salmon: Packed with omega-3 fats, wild salmon can help reduce the risk of sudden-death heart attacks and contains lots of vitamin D and selenium for healthy hair, skin, nails and bones. Wild salmon can be eaten with little fear of mercury or excess contaminants and is more nutritionally rich than farmed salmon. Wild salmon also has a smaller environmental impact. Consume two to four four-ounce servings a week for optimal benefits.

·          Goji berries: They've been called the most nutritionally dense food on Earth, and they taste something like salty raisins. Lycium barbarum, commonly known as goji berries, contain more vitamin C than oranges, more beta carotene than carrots and more iron than steak. The dried Himalayan fruit is also a great source of B vitamins and antioxidants and contains 15 amino acids. Goji has been used medicinally in China for centuries to improve blood circulation, strengthen the limbs, improve eyesight, protect the liver, increase libido and boost immune function.

·          Kale: A dark, leafy green in the same vegetable family as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, kale contains high amounts of beta carotene, iron and folate. It's also a low-calorie, low-carb source of protein that's packed with fiber, which improves digestive health and helps you feel full. A small cupful of cooked kale provides more than half the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

 

·          Barley: This low-glycemic grain is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which help the body metabolize fats and promote a healthy digestive tract, respectively. Eating hulled barley on a regular basis is said to lower blood cholesterol levels, protect against cancer and keep blood-sugar levels stable. Barley is rich in niacin, vitamin E, lignans and phytochemicals that function as antioxidants.

·         Avoid hydrogenated oils, fried foods and shellfish in restaurants, and highly refined foods - all of these foods are typically rich in free radicals. Avoid charcoal-grilled meats and animal products that have been cooked at high temperatures - these foods are also abundant in free radicals.

·         Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, celery, bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes. Fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in natural antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals in your body.

·         If your life circumstances permit, drink fresh vegetable juices on an occassional basis. Freshly pressed vegetable juices provide a wide range of nutrients, including antioxidants, that are easily absorbed into your bloodstream. To optimally support your blood sugar level, emphasize the use of greens like romaine lettuce, kale, and celery, and use only small amounts of sweet vegetables like carrots and red beets. Consider using a high quality super green food product if you don’t have time to make vegetable juices on a regular basis.

·         Eat fruits that are rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, pomegranates, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries, goji berries, papayas, mangoes, watermelon, and olives.