FIND POMEGRANATE & BERRIES WITH RESVERATROL JUICE IN THE REFRIGERATED SECTION OF WALMART!
Before there were hospitals, ambulances and prescription medications, there was food. And for thousands of years around the globe, people have used food as their medicine. We call these incredible foods with high amounts of nutrients and unmatched healing attributes “superfoods”, and I have spent a very part of my life studying different continents in search of the most powerful superfoods and bringing them to the U.S. so that all people might be able to use these foods to support healing, anti-aging, energy, brain health, heart health and so much more!
This year, I’ve identified the hottest superfoods that you can find at your local health foods store or even Wal-Mar or Targett. These foods can help with everything from libido to gas and indigestion, and they have been used in indigenous cultures in different parts of the world for a combined total of over 10,000 years! That’s some history of healing! Here are my top superfood picks for 2012:
SUPERFOOD: JAPANESE KNOTWEED – The Anti-aging weed!
REGION: JAPAN
Where it’s found/history: Although native to
Japan, this plant has quite a history in the U.S. and around the globe as an
invasive species – it is even listed by the World Conservation Union as one of
the world’s 100 worst invasive species. As such, you can find Knotweed growing
wild in 39 of the 50 U.S. states, it resembles bamboo, although don’t be
fooled, it isn’t related. The plant has a reputation for being resilient to
cutting as it re-sprouts forcefully from the root – again, it’s this same
survival mechanism, this strength against all odds that makes Japanese Knotweed
a superfood and why we want it in our bodies fighting for our health. The
history of Japanese Knotweed in traditional medicine dates back centuries in
Japan.
Why it Works: Japanese is one of the world’s
most potent known sources of the anti-aging compound Resveratrol. Resveratrol
affects a family of enzymes knowns as the sirtuins. The sirtuin gene has been
identified as the gene that controls and regulates lifespan, and is often
referred to as the “anti-aging” or longevity gene. While first observed in
yeast and other simple life forms, it is increasingly believed that sirtuin
enzymes are present in all living organisms, and serve an evolutionary role as
universal gatekeepers of cellular health and lifespan.
How to eat it: Traditionally, the bark is used
to make a tea. However, there are much more delicious – and easier ways to get
your daily dose of Japanese Knotweed and absorb the benefits of this tenacious
plant. Japanese knotweed is actually a source in most Resveratrol supplements.
I always recommend getting your nutrients in liquid form to better absorption,
that’s why I recommend getting your Resveratrol from juice, which has
concentrated Japanese Knotweed and delivers 50x the amount of Resveratrol that
you would find in a glass of wine – and no hangovers! To get your resveratrol,
I recommend Genesis Today’s Pomegranate & Berries with Resveratrol,
which you can find in the refrigerated section of Wal-Mart and Safeway stores
nationwide. Another option is the Genesis Today 4Resveratrol, which is a highly concentrated Resveratrol
supplement made from the Japanese Knotweed, this is available at Whole Foods
stores nationwide.
SUPERFOOD: MACA – The Libido Booster…helps with Energy
too!
REGION: PERU
Cultivated high in the Andean Mountains of Peru at altitudes
as high as 14,500 feet, the Maca Root grows in a region of violent winds,
intense sunlight, and below freezing weather in an area considered some of the
worst farmland in the world. Yet, Maca has evolved in order to thrive under
these harsh conditions, adapting and developing a unique set of survival
skills. It’s these same survival skills that give the Maca Root its incredible
healing properties and why it has been used in traditional medicine by the
locals for thousands of years. First domesticated by the Incans 2,000 years
ago, the use of the Maca Root for nutrition and natural medicine dates back as
far as 1600 BC. Maca developed a reputation for boosting libido centuries ago,
even the Spanish colonial records document the use of Maca to help fuel
reproduction of livestock.
Why it works:
Today, Maca continues to be used in natural medicine in Peru
and around the world to support reproductive and sexual disorders as clinical
trials indicate that Maca Root can enhance fertility and boost energy. However,
the compound responsible for boosting libido hasn’t specifically been
identified. There are a couple theories; first, chemical tests have shown that
Maca Root contains the naturally-occurring chemical p-methoxybenzyl
isothiocyanate, which has reputed aphrodisiac properties. The other
conclusion is that Maca Root contains a high concentration of proteins and
vital nutrients, in fact, Maca Root contains about 10% protein, most of which
is from amino acids. Amino acids are key to driving many cellular functions in
the human body, including fertility, sexual function and the manufacturing of
neurotransmitters like dopamine and noradrenaline. The benefits of Maca Root
could be a combination of both isothiocyanates and amino acids
working together – either way, Maca Root helps to boost energy, libido and
balance the body.
How to eat it:
Native Peruvians will prepare the root fresh or dried and
baked or roasted, similar to a potato. The root has a sharp, sweet taste, almost
like butterscotch. In the U.S., the Maca Root is hard to come by, so you won’t
find it at your corner grocery! The best way to get Maca is in powder form
mixed into a juice or smoothie, but because it’s a hot superfood right now, you
can also find it foods like chocolate or pre-packaged teas that you can pick up
at Whole Foods.
Be careful with Maca – and with any of the superfoods that
we discuss here today – to read the label and don’t fall victim to the hype
surrounding superfoods. Everything you consume for the health benefits of
superfood should contain a significant amount of the superfood and should be
purchased through a reputable distribution channel or retail outlet.
SUPERFOOD: ASAFOETIDA – The Stinky Solution to Gas!
REGION: CENTRAL ASIA
Where it’s found/history:
Native to Central Asia, specifically Iran and Afghanistan,
Asafoetida is now commonly used across Asia and especially in India where it is
known as “hing” as nature’s solution to gas and indigestion. Its resin-like gum
comes from the dried sap extracted from the stem and roots of a giant species
of fennel. Because the resin is difficult to grate, traditionally, it was
crushed between stone or pounded with a hammer. Both the root and stems have
been used both medicinally and for cooking for thousands of years. The plant is
easily identified by its pungent smell, which is also why in multiple languages
it is actually called “devil’s dung”. However, the odor and flavor become much
more pleasant upon heating in oil acquiring a taste reminiscent of sautéed
onion and garlic.
Why it works:
Asafoetida reduces the growth of indigenous microflora in
the gut, which naturally reduces flatulence. In some regions of India, more
than 60% of the locals use Asafoetida to relieve flatulence and constipation.
How to eat it:
You can find asafetida in a powder form, which is how it is
commonly used in Indian cooking. In some parts of Asia, like India and
Thailand, it is also smeared on the abdomen after being dissolved in hot water
to make a paste. Traditional Indian cooking often uses Asafoetida as a spice,
it doesn’t have the smell of the “devil’s dung” and it tastes delicious!
SUPERFOOD: SPIRULINA – Natural Preventative &
Alkalinizer!
REGION: CHAD/AFRICA
Where it’s found/history: Spirulina is a
microalgae that derives its name from the spiral shape of its filament. It
thrives in hot, sunny climates in both fresh and salt water bodies around the
globe, and is one of the most primitive sources of plant life that uses only
sunlight, water and minerals to grow. The use of Spirulina has history as
far back to the 9th century in the African country of Chad where it is still
harvested from small lakes and ponds, dried into cakes and sold in local
markets. It was also a food source for Aztecs and other Central American
indigenous peoples until the 16th century. Today, Spirulina is cultivated
commercially around the world with production facilities based in the U.S.,
Asia and South America.
Why it works: Don’t let the size of this
superfood fool you. This microscopic vegetarian organism packs a nutritional
punch! Spirulina produces 20 times as much protein as soybeans
growing in the same area of land, and it’s a complete protein too – meaning it
contains all essential amino acids. Spirulina has a plethora of health benefits
(lowers cholesterol, suppresses fatty accumulation in the liver, prevents tumor
formation, enhances immunity, protects kidneys), I recommend it for anyone as a
staple of your supplement routine, but I especially recommend it as a superfood
for vegetarians and anyone trying to lose weight. That’s because as a protein,
Spirulina works to fill you up – it is also one of the richest sources of
Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins, which are responsible for boosting
metabolism, and one of the strongest vegetarian sources of iron. Additionally,
Spirulina helps with digestion by increasing the good bacteria in the
intestines. No doubt about it, spirulina is definitely one of nature’s most
powerful superfoods!
SUPERFOOD: GOTU
KOLA – Stress reliever & brain booster!
REGION: SRI LANKA/CENTRAL ASIA
Where’s it’s found/history: Gotu Kola is native
to India & Sri Lanka, as well as other regions in Central Asia, it has been
used as a medicinal herb in traditional medicines around the globe for
thousands of years. It is also a very common ingredient in food and is used in
many types of Asian cuisine. In Sri Lanka, there is a saying that “two leaves a
day keeps old age away.”
Why it works: Gotu Kola naturally cleanses the
blood and boosts circulation, including circulation to the brain, which is why
it has been used traditionally as an energy enhancer on the cells of the brain.
Gotu Kola is used to calm the body and mind while also working to improve
memory – in fact it is sometimes known as the memory herb!
How to eat it: You can add Gotu Kola to your
cooking or if you’re just looking to relax, try taking some of the dried herb
and making a tea out of it.
SUPERFOOD: ACEROLA – A natural immunity booster!
REGION: CENTRAL AMERICA
Where’s it’s found/history: Acerola looks like
the cherry, but it offers a completely different taste and nutritional makeup.
Native to Central America, South America and Jamaica, Acerola is as common and
popular across Latin America as OJ is here in the U.S. – and it has been
consumed for thousands of years to boost immunity.
Why it works: Acerola
is one of the richest sources of natural Vitamin C, which we all know boosts
immunity. Picture this, Oranges have about 500 to 4,000 parts per million of
Vitamin C – but Acerola has a whopping 16,000 to 172,000 parts per million of
Vitamin C, that’s somewhere around 40 times more Vitamin C than oranges! It
might be time to rethink your drink. Vitamin C is not only great for immunity,
but it is also a powerful antioxidant that helps fight cellular aging.
How to eat it: Across most of Latin America, you
can find Acerola juice just like you can find Orange Juice here in the states.
I found Acerola Vitamin C chews at Whole Foods, but you can also find Acerola
as an ingredient in many energy drinks. I know you probably wouldn’t expect me
to recommend an energy drink, but I highly recommend Wake Me by Genesis Today, which you can find at Wal-Mart in
the refrigerated beverage section next to the OJ. This drink combines two of my
favorite superfoods, Guarana and Acerola, it tastes delicious and it gives you
the most incredible clean, pure, energy – and no crash like you get from those
sugary energy drinks.
SUPERFOOD: CAT’S CLAW – Sets your digestive system to
normal – the smooth mover!
REGION: BRAZILIAN AMAZON RAINFOREST
Where’s it’s found/history: Known locally in
South America as the “unha de gato,” Cat’s Claw is a powerful, woody vine that
gets its name from the claw-like thorns that grow on the vine. The plant is
very strong and resilient; it’s this type of plant—with the ability to fight
with and dominate other plant species—that gives it exceptional healing
capabilities. The Cat’s Claw has been used medicinally by multiple indigenous tribes
for thousands of years, with the earliest written documentation taking place
about 2,000 years ago. While Cat’s Claw is native to the Amazon, it also grows
in the U.S., and it has been known to takeover gardens because of its
aggressive growth.
Why it works: Some natural medicine doctors
today refer to cat’s claw as the “opener of the way” because it works to
cleanse the entire intestinal tract and treats many stomach and bowel disorders
like Crohn’s disease and leaky bowel syndrome. That’s why you will
often find cat’s claw in fiber supplements. The herb is also
incredibly effective at relieving inflammation; some studies have shown that
cat’s claw, which contains glycosides, could inhibit inflammation from 46% to
up to 89% in various in vivo and in vitro tests.
This furthers the support of using Cat’s Claw for use as a gentle way to
cleanse the intestinal tract.
How to eat it: You can get the bark of the cat’s
claw plant, which is the most potent part of the plant, and make a tea out of
it. However, I recommend a more simple and more concentrated form like the pure
powdered form, which you can throw into smoothies or mix with juice, or a
tincture. I take Cat’s Claw daily with my GenEssentials Fiber supplement, which you can find at Whole
Foods.
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