Superfoods are known to be nutrient dense foods that come from a variety of different food groups. They are deemed “superfoods” due to their various health benefits and are usually chock full of antioxidants to ward off many diseases. Most are full of fiber and healthy fats as well. It is safe to say that most include a rainbow of colors from various fruits and vegetables ranging from deep reds, purples, orange, greens, and more. Yet, also certain nuts, seeds, meats, and even dairy are included in the superfoods category. However, what about the less common ones that many may not be aware of that contribute to so many health benefits? We will discuss this today as well as the importance of incorporating new superfoods into your daily regimen. This is the superfood challenge that we all would benefit from by adding new foods to our weekly shopping list. This will greatly enhance the intake of much needed phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, proteins, enzymes and fiber to use as a staple in our regular day to day meals. Not to mention, there are so many wonderfully delicious recipes that are easy to find with all these foods. You can simply google or check out SUPERFOODS The 50 Best Foods for You! Put out by LoveFood author Clive Streeter.
Some of the more well known of these superfoods include oils like extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and unrefined coconut oil. Nuts include Brazilian nuts full of magnesium and walnuts full of good heart healthy fats. Even almonds make the list if you ask some experts. Vegetables known to be superfoods include leeks, garlic, spinach, beets, peas, celery, kale, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, red bell peppers, carrots, and of course broccoli. Fruits include pumpkin (yes, actually considered a fruit by botanist standards), bananas, berries like blueberries and raspberries, kiwis, grapefruits, oranges, apples, and avocados. Superfoods which are meats include much seafood like salmon, oysters, scallops, trout, and tuna. Other meats are grass-fed beef, chicken, venison, and turkey. Dairy nutrient dense foods would be low sugar Greek yogurts and kefir eaten in moderation. Other foods that score high on the list are eggs, legumes, kidney beans, brown rice, lentils, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, miso, honey, and cinnamon. For drinks, we have green tea, water, and we cannot leave out red wine. One of my dear favorites is cacao or dark chocolate which has four times the catechins found in green tea and two time more than red wine. Catechins are a special polyphenol compound that is full of anticarcinogenic antioxidants which help prevent cancer as well as protecting the heart. So chocolate is truly one of the most powerful antioxidants.
Now that we have covered the more common superfoods, let’s take a look at the ones that may be more frequently missed. Bee pollen contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids including the 8 essential ones and over 5,000 enzymes including coenzymes. It can be taken in tablet, capsule, powder or in raw unprocessed honey itself.
Next, let’s take a look at micro algae including spirulina and chlorella. These algae are full of minerals, high protein content, and carotenoids. These are used for various health disorders and conditions.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bitters also called herbal extracts of bitter are used for their healing, strengthening, and cleansing properties. These components are often found to be lacking in the Western diet.
Wheat germ oil which is an excellent natural source of vitamin E is also among this category of now uncommon superfoods which help protect against heart disease.
Dried nutritional yeast has often been used for many cases of chronic fatigue with its excellent source of B complex vitamins and a variety of minerals. This is specifically helpful with diabetics, alcoholics, and anyone with out of control sugar cravings.
The next one may sound a bit strange but it used to help many endocrinology disorders: glandular and organ extracts. These consist of dried tissue from animals that have successfully been used to treat the same organ or gland in humans. Recommended by a qualified health practitioner, they can be given in capsule form. These extracts can be prescribed to aid with kidney, liver, thyroid, thymus, spleen, pituitary, and adrenal issues. Also, protomorphogenics are something I also prescribe to help repair tissue damage. Protomorphogens are derived from organ or glandular tissue and act as cell determinants and are the fundamental building block of cell life.
Lastly, noni juice which is widely used by Polynesians for its effectiveness with many disorders. These range from diabetes, injuries, digestive disorders, and even depression. Noni juice is derived from the Tahitian noni fruit and should be taken on an empty stomach.
There are more superfoods like probiotics, kelp, colostrum, cod liver oil, acerola cherry powder, and amalaka powder that have amazing bioflavonoids and enzymes to keep us at our most optimal health. So please start the superfood challenge and reap all the amazing results of long time health and vitality. And please call today to book your telehealth or office appointment with an Eastern Medicine Board Certified Physician to help navigate your journey to health! 772-353-1397
