TV show Better health and Fitness

Superfoods - Foods for Better Health

Lemons
Lemons Boost the immune system with antibacterial and antiviral properties, they clean the liver help the digestive system and strengthens the bones. Lemons also produce cancer fighting enzymes called protease.

Lemon juice can stop a chronic cough and aid in beating the symptoms of a cold by reducing the fever. They help to freshen the breath and emulsify dietary fats, activating the hormone secretin and can be used as a dietary supplement, helping to lose body fat as a natural diuretic taken last thing at night or early morning.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can help dissolve kidney stones and reduce the effects of lower urinary tract infections. like lemon juice apple cider vinegar also activates the hormone secretin

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks down fatty, mucous, and phlegm deposits in the body and, by doing so, improves the health and function of the vital organs of the body, such as the liver, kidney, and bladder by preventing excessively alkaline urine. It oxidises and thins the blood, and promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination, as well as neutralising toxic substances that enter the body. Apple cider vinegar has also been found to neutralise harmful bacteria found in certain foods.

Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium, and this is believed to ease the effects of common colds and allergies. It is also helpful for tooth decay and splitting fingernails, both of which are signs of potassium deficiency. Potassium is also important for the replacement of worn out tissues within the body and also for soft tissue repair. Apple cider vinegar is also thought to help arthritis, either as a beverage, or with compresses soaked in hot vinegar and applied to the affected joints. It is also helpful in the treatment of asthma, nose bleeds, osteoporosis, candida , high cholesterol, colds, constipation, muscle cramps, colitis, diabetes, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, gallstones, kidney stones, hay fever,headaches, heartburn, hiccups, indigestion, insomnia, kidney and bladder problems, metabolism, nasal congestion, sore throats, stiff joints, ulcers, and weight loss.

Apple cider vinegar is useful for a whole range of things including:

helping the metabolism to function correctly
reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in the body
regulating the water content in the cells and body
reducing water retention in the body
helps with regulating blood pressure
helps to prevent circulatory problems
helps with reducing premature calcification of the arteries
increases concentration and memory
helps with blood circulation
helps to regulate the body temperature
increases general vitality and energy

Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut can help modulate cholesterol levels and studies indicate it helps fight against cancer sauerkraut combines the health benefits offered by all cruciferous vegetables (a category which includes cauliflowers and brussel sprouts as well as cabbage) with the probiotic advantages derived from the fermentation process.

Cabbage offers a host of health benefits. It is high in vitamins A and C. Studies have shown the cruciferous vegetables can help lower cholesterol levels. Cabbage also provides a rich source of phytonutrient antioxidants. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties, and some studies indicate it may help combat some cancers. However, this already helpful vegetable becomes a superfood when it is pickled.

In periods and cultures when natural healing methods fell into disuse, people consumed fewer fermented foods and were subject to more illness. Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) killed many British sailors during the 1700s, especially on longer voyages. In the late 1770s, Captain James Cook circumnavigated the world without losing a single sailor to scurvy, thanks to the foods his ship carried, including sixty barrels of sauerkraut.

Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is antiviral antibacterial fights against Alzheimers disease. It is rich in healthy small to medium chained saturated fats called medium chain triglycerides or MCTs. Most common vegetable or seed oils consist of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), also known as long-chain triglycerides or LCTs. The LCTs put more strain on the pancreas, liver, and GI tract. The body must package these LCTs with carrier proteins that require special enzymes to effectively metabolize.

These MCTs are smaller and permeate cell membranes easily without the need for carrier proteins and special enzymes. MCTs are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into usable energy rather than being stored as fat. In fact, MCTs do not depend on bile or pancreatic enzymes to be effectively metabolized. This makes coconut oil fully digestible by those who have had their gallbladder removed.

Coconut oil is the most stable of all the commonly used fatty acid sources due to its high composition of saturated fats. This stability is very important because it reduces the free radical load on our bodies. Physiologist and biochemist Ray Peat, Ph.D. considers coconut oil to be an antioxidant due to its resistance to oxidation and free radical formation.

Coconut oil helps to balance hormones, stabilize blood sugar levels and boost the cellular healing process. It is also known to stimulate the thyroid and reduce stress on the liver and pancreas. This increases metabolism and helps us burn fat more effectively. Additionally, coconut oil increases our energy levels due to its very clean and easy digestive process.

Coconut oil is fantastic for keeping the skin and connective tissue strong and supple. It helps protect skin from the aging effects of free radicals and naturally reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is also one of best nutritional moisturizers for our hair and scalp. Applying coconut oil has been known to enhance texture and highlights in hair while eliminating dandruff and dry skin.

Using Coconut Oil (Always get Extra-virgin coconut oil):

Rub into hair and onto skin as a moisturizer after shower.
Use as a natural deodorant by applying to underarms.
Use coconut oil when you cook due to its incredible stability
Take 1-4 tsp of extra-virgin coconut oil in raw form daily
Use coconut milk for shakes, smoothies, and creamy recipes
Snack on coconut flakes daily

Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein concentrate helps muscle repair and builds up the immune system

Non-denatured, grass-fed whey protein concentrate (not isolate) from organic pastures is the highest quality protein source for most individuals. This form of whey protein contains beta-glucans, lactoferrins, & immunoglobulins that enhance immune function. Additionally, non-denatured whey contains all the branch chain amino acids and optimal ratios of essential amino acids. Finally, non-denatured whey protein is one of the best food sources for boosting cellular anti-oxidants such as glutathione.

The best vegetarian proteins are from brown rice, peas, & hemp. Brown rice protein is considered the most hypo-allergenic protein which is especially important for individuals with chronic food allergies and leaky gut syndrome. When mixed with a high quality pea or hemp protein, they form a complete protein source with all essential and branched-chain amino acids.

Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate repairs and builds muscle tissue and is faster to go to the point of repair and helps digestion. Concentrates contain some fats but have the richest source of bioactive compounds. Isolates are processed to remove all fat & lactose. Due to the processing they are lower in bioactivated compounds. Hydrolysates are whey proteins that have been processed and broken down into smaller amino acid chains. They have little to no bioactive compounds but are the least allergenic form of whey. They have a very bitter taste.

Whey is an abundant source of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA`s). These BCAA`s are used to fuel, build and repair muscles. Whey protein is especially high in leucine which plays a very important role in initiating the genetic transcription pathways that boost protein synthesis. Elevated leucine consumption improves the stimulation of protein synthesis. This improves tissue healing, exercise recovery, strength production and adaptation to stress.

Pea Protein
Pea protein has less allergens than whey proteins is good for digestion tissue repair, e.g. bodybuilding. Pea protein may help prevent kidney disease and reduce blood pressure.

Pea protein is said to be one of the most perfect proteins for human consumption. Its benefits over both animal and other vegetable proteins include:

Ease of digestion.
Lack of allergens.
Ideal amino acids for sports.

Some users find soy and other sources of protein difficult to digest, but because of its unique composition, pisum sativum has been found to be amongst the most digestible source of protein available. Soy, whey, egg and animal-based protein supplements have all been shown to produce allergic reactions in some people and their potential for allergic reactions can increase with repeated use. Of all the protein supplements available, pea proteins have been shown to produce the least allergic reactions.

Perhaps most importantly for sports enthusiasts, pea protein contains an ideal combination of essential amino acids for sports performance:

Lysine, for balanced nitrogen levels in muscles.
Arginine promotes muscle metabolism and a healthy heart.
Glutamine helps restore nitrogen balance after a heavy workout.
Leucine, isoleucine and valine (branched-chain amino acids) help maintain tissues during exercise.