Anti-aging antioxidants are major contributors to destructive reactions that can lead to aging and disease.
Anti-aging antioxidants are major contributors to the blocking and inhibiting of destructive reactions that can lead to premature aging and disease. Free radicals are substances produced in the body during the processing of food and conversion of energy. Free radicals are said to cause aging and certain diseases, but luckily can be neutralized by antioxidants. All-natural anti-aging antioxidants are cutting edge supplements, vitamins and herbs that specifically counteract the production of free radicals that attack youthful skin. Wrinkles caused by premature aging can be reversed using anti-aging antioxidants supplements. Anti-aging antioxidants improve cardiovascular health and are said to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. The balance of anti-aging antioxidants and free radical production can lead to increased longevity and a healthier lifestyle.
Live Well With Green Foods
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. Spirulina 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.
Lower and Reduce Cholesterol Levels Naturally
Cholesterol is an essential substance that our bodies produce. Cholesterol is a waxy, soft material that is found around the lipids of our bloodstream and in our cells. Good cholesterol is important for our cell membrane formation, our hormones and other functions. However, when our cholesterol level gets too high because of the foods that compose our diets, it results in a condition called hypercholesteroemia. Cholesterol either LDL or HDL. LDL, i.e. low-density lipoprotein is the harmful cholesterol. HDL, i.e. high-density lipoprotein is the beneficial cholesterol. Our health is improved when we reduce our LDL level and increase our HDL level. An elevated LDL cholesterol level can result in heart disease which kills a third of us and takes 10-15 years off our average life-span. High blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to arteriosclerosis, i.e. hardening of the arteries that results in less blood flow and so less oxygen for our cells and tissues. If arteriosclerosis develops near our heart, it puts us at risk for a heart attack. If arteriosclerosis develops near our head and neck, we are at risk for a stroke. Arteriosclerosis leads to high blood pressure because the walls of our arteries are lined with cholesterol making the passage for our blood flow smaller and even blocked which requires our heart to pump blood with more force in order for our blood to circulate.
A variety of synthetic, prescription drugs called “statins” are used extensively in our culture. Statins block an enzyme that our liver needs for the production of cholesterol. Statins do reduce LDL levels, but do not raise HDL levels which we need for our cells and tissues. The side effects of statins potentially include liver damage, fatigue, nausea and disruption of healthy digestion signaled by abdominal pains and craps, gas and constipation. We can avoid the potential harmful side effects of statins by turning to substances that occur naturally to reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. Not only are these substances natural and without the risk of harmful side effects, but they also carry many other health benefits beyond those of reducing cholesterol.
Chromium is a trace mineral that promotes healthy blood sugar levels and therefore the risk of insulin resistence that leads to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Garlic supplement with standardized, high levels of allicin has been shown to lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels
Gugulipid or guggul. is the gum of the myrrh tree and is an ancient Indian medicine. Gugulipid is able to lower LDL and triglycerides. It connects to cholesterol in our intestines and we eliminate the cholesterol before it can enter our bloodstream.
Maitake mushroom extract is yet another naturally occurring material that has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.
Flaxseed oil contains a soluble fiber that binds to cholesterol in the intestines and helps eliminate cholesterol. Flaxseed oil contains Omega 3 essential fatty acid that forms alpha-linolenic acid or LNA. LNA lowers triglycerides and slows the growth of arteriosclerosis plaque. Fish oil is also high in Omega 3 essential fatty acid.
Apple Pectin, oat bran, and psyllium are fibers that bind to cholesterol in the intestines where it can be eliminated.
Red yeast rice is rice fermented with a red yeast. It has been shown that red yeast rice balances cholesterol levels. It is recommended that red yeast rice should be used in combination with Co Q 10. Formulas of red yeast rice and Co Q 10 are available.
Niacin may help reduce cholesterol. Niacin is found in vitamin B3. Other B vitamins such as B6, B9 and B12 do not necessarily reduce cholesterol, but they do lower high homocysteine levels which carry a risk for heart disease.
Vitamin E may prevent the formation of fatty deposits on the inside of our arteries. Many medical journals contain articles praising the benefit of vitamin E for a healthy heart. It has been recommended that we get at least 400 IU of vitamin E each day.
Other natural substances that we can obtain in supplement form to lower and reduce cholesterol levels include, alfalfa, aloe vera juice, devils claw, fenugreek, ginger, grape seed extract, green tea, licorice, milk thistle, soy and evening primrose. We need not risk the potential harmful side effects of synthetic, prescription drugs, such as statins, in order to lower and reduce high cholesterol levels. All these natural nutritional materials give us many other health benefits as well as reduce cholesterol levels. We can also obtain heart healthy, cholesterol lowering and reducing formulas containing combinations of many of these natural substances in synergistic proportion.
Anti-Aging Effects and Vital Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q is an essential natural compound that facilitates the metabolic process of nutrients in our bodies, especially that of protein assimilation. 10 indicates the structural components of Coenzyme Q, i.e. Co Q10. Co Q10 therefore, is essential for helping us feel energetic and for our cell and tissue repair. Coenzyme Q10 is used by our cells to produce energy needed for cell growth and maintenance. Co Q10 is used by our bodies as an antioxidant to protect our cells from chemicals called free radicals. Co Q10 is found in our body tissues especially our heart liver, kidneys and pancreas. Our bodies naturally produce Co Q10 especially in our very early years. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies ability to produce Co Q10 declines rapidly as much as 80 %. Low levels of Co Q10 has been found in people with mycelia, lymphoma and cancers of the breast, lung, prostate, pancreas, colon, and kidney.
Co Q10 molecules help enzymes that stimulate energy generation. These molecules act as a shuttle to transport electrons and protons from one bioenergy enzyme to another. Every electron and proton from which energy is gathered must be transported to appropriate enzymes by a molecules of Co Q10. This process happens repeatedly at a rate of thousands of times per second.
The longest and most documented use of Co Q10 is to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. Many studies over the years have shown that Co Q10 can protect our hearts from damage from reduced blood flow and electrical disturbance. People suffering from heart pain, heart arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, heart valve defects, hypertension, and heart damage caused from toxic drugs have improved significantly and often dramatically with supplementation of Co Q10.
After 10 weeks of using Co Q10 supplementation, people have realized lowered blood pressure.
People who have used prescription drugs to lower cholesterol, i.e. statin, have been shown to experience the side effect of decreased levels of natural Co Q10 which can also lead to other health difficulties. CoQ10 supplements can improve blood sugar levels and help manage high cholesterol for people suffering from diabetes. There are studies that have shown that people with diabetes given supplement CoQ10 experienced no hypoglycemic response. CoQ10 supplementation has been shown, along with other antioxidants, vitamin C, E, and Selenium and essential fatty acids, to help shrink tumors and reduce pain of women suffering from breast cancer. Periodontal or “gum” disease is accompanied by swelling, bleeding, pain and redness. These periodontal symptoms have been shown to decrease as CoQ10 supplements helped healing and tissue repair.
Studies also indicate that CoQ10 supplements help improve immune function in cases of immune deficiencies, and yeast and other viral infections. CoQ10 has also been shown to improve brain health and functioning which is important in the relief and prevention of migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s disease, damage from stroke and improve overall cognitive and emotional functioning. Co Q10 protects the brain from neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s, although it does not relieve the symptoms. CoQ10 has been shown to enhance the physical ability and activity of people suffering from fatigue syndromes and muscular dystrophy, as well as improve athletic performance and energy for athletes and people who are engaged in strenuous physical work. CoQ10 has been shown to protect against the harmful side effects of toxic drugs.
CoQ10 deficiencies are inevitable due to the normal process. It becomes evident that our bodies no longer produces CoQ10 in the amounts that are needed to keep our bodies functioning properly and in good health. CoQ10 supplements help our body maintain and increase the supply of energy for cellular production and maintenance as well as tissue repair. It would be very wise on our part, especially as we naturally age, to make sure we have adequate amounts of CoQ10 through supplements.
Tags: alfalfa, Anti-aging antioxidants, arachidonic acids, candida, chlorella, coenzymes, fibromyalgia, glycoproteins, naturopaths, physocyanin, phytochemical, phytonutrients, spirulina, wheatgrass