Sugar Pearls: Dangers Associated with Excessive Sugar Intake

The largest source of calories for individuals living in industrialized nations is sugar.  Sugar increases insulin levels, promoting fat accumulation and inflammation throughout the body.  Sugar consumption and elevated insulin accelerate the aging process and create an environment conducive to degenerative disease.

The chemistry of sugar is based on the number of carbohydrates and includes monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides.   The most important monosaccarides are glucose, dextrose, and fructose.  The primary difference in these deals with the way they are digested and metabolized.  Glucose and dextrose are basically the same form of sugar.  Many sugars can be identified by their characteristic “ose” ending.

Many of these sugars also combine to form complex sugars such as sucrose.  Sucrose, typical table sugar, is a disaccharide (2 sugar forms) that is half glucose and half fructose.  Meanwhile, high fructose corn syrup is 55% fructose and 45% glucose.

Massive Increase in Sugar Consumption

In the year 1700, the average individual consumed about 4 pounds of sugar each year.  In 1800, it was about 18 pounds of sugar per year.  In 1900, the average person ate 90 pounds of sugar per year.  In 2009, the average individual consumed 150 pounds of sugar per year.  Half of our society consumes ½ pound of sugar per day.   Most of this is in unnatural, man-made forms such as sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

Most forms of sugar (other than fructose based sources) metabolize quickly in the body into a simple glucose form.  This glucose is then funneled into cells by the hormone insulin.  This process is performed very well in our bodies when the cells are kept sensitive to the circulating insulin.

Lifestyle behaviors that lead to chronically elevated blood sugar and insulin levels cause a cellular resistance to insulin.  These behaviors include excessive sugar intake, processed foods and sedentary lifestyle.  Elevated blood sugar and insulin cause excessive free radical damage and inflammation throughout the body.

The Major Problems with Elevated Sugar & Insulin Include:

  1. Mal-coordinates the immune system and reduces its functional ability.
  2. Dehydrates the cells and depletes the body of critical electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, & sodium, leading to cell death and chronic muscle spasms.
  3. Depletes the body of chromium, copper,and  zinc, and other trace minerals that help sensitize cells to insulin.  This further accelerates cell membrane insulin resistance
  4. Induces cancer cell division and proliferation and inhibits mechanisms that slow down tumor growth and inhibit cancer cell apoptosis (programed cell death)
  5. Creates tissue damaging Advanced Glycolytic Enzymes (AGE’s)
  6. Depletes the body of anti-oxidants such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
  7. Inhibits Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and elevates cortisol levels
  8. Inhibits cellular protein synthesis which results in dysfunctional bone, muscle, and joint chemistry.  This accelerates the risk of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and chronic muscle and joint pain.
  9. Promotes the growth of pathogenic bacteria and parasites such as Candida and other yeast-like organisms.  This also depletes the body of good bacteria and can lead to chronic infections in the gut, respiratory tissue, and sinuses.
  10.  Leads to obesity, elevated triglycerides, abnormal LDL:HDL cholesterol levels, elevated arterial inflammatory risk factors.
  11.  Opens up the blood brain barrier, depletes the brain of trace mineral stores, and allows toxins and other heavy metals to accumulate in brain tissue
  12.  Destroys nerves leading to chronic pain, neuropathies, vision disorders, and accelerated organ dysfunction.

Sources For This Article Include:

 



The Amazing Health Benefits of Holy Basil

Holy Basil or Tulsi is one of the most powerful herbs alive.  The name “Tulsi” means “The Incomparable One” because of its unique health benefits.  The herb was a staple of Hindu mythology and considered sacred by the Indian royalty.  Modern science has shown that this distinctive herb is incredibly good for balancing the mind, body, and spirit.

Holy basil, a variety of Ocimum basilicum (basil), is a small shrub with scented leaves that is a part of the mint or Labiatae family.  It grows wildly throughout south Asia where the natives in these areas have been using it for centuries.  It is known to help the bodily systems adapt, balance, and increase resilience.

The Adaptogenic SuperStar!

Holy basil is known in natural medicine as an adaptogenic herb in that it helps the body better adapt to stress.  Adaptogenic herbs don’t affect an individual’s mood, but they help the body function at its optimal level during times of stress.  They do this by modulating the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Chronic, low-grade stress is a modern day epidemic that creates sluggish metabolism, chronic inflammation, and abnormal immunity.  High cortisol creates digestive problems and leaky gut syndrome, increased appetite, weight gain, thyroid disorders, and accelerated brain degeneration.  This is commonly found in the brains of those with anxiety disorders, depression, and other physchological disorders.  Many auto-immune conditions also link to chronically elevated stress hormone production as a catalyst for abnormal immune response.

Stabilize Cortisol Levels

One of the key components that adaptogenic herbs offer is their ability to lower and stabilize cortisol levels.  High cortisol drains the precursers to major hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.  With less than adequate raw materials, the body becomes sex hormone deficient.  This process rapidly accelerates the aging process and makes an individual’s life miserable.

Healthy individuals have stable cortisol levels that naturally spike in the morning and then level off and stay consistently low during the day before tapering at night.  This allows us to wake up with energy in the morning and maintain that energy until nightfall when we should naturally be gearing down and getting ready for sleep.  Stable cortisol levels result in improved mental clarity and memory.  The individual feels as though they are less agitated and anxious and therefore able to perform better and have higher quality of life.

Holy Basil Contains Powerful Anti-Oxidants

Holy Basil is rich in aromatic essential oils that have powerful effects on the body.  These phytonutrient rich oils include ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, caryophyllene, and eugenol, among others.  These oils have a great smell that naturally boosts mood and spirit.  Eugenol has been shown in studies to combat stress and enhance mental clarity.

Holy Basil acts to modulate stress levels and blood sugar levels by stabilizing cortisol and insulin.   A study out of the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry indicated that holy basil may reverse some of the damaging effects of diabetes like neuropathy and retinopathy.

Holy Basil contains vitamin C, vitamin A, and essential oils, which are all anti-oxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body, improving cellular integrity, blood flow, and genetic expression.   It is particularly good for cardiovascular health and brain function, as it helps protect against heart disease and brain degeneration.

Holy Basil Helps the Immune Coordination

Holy basil helps to strengthen the body’s immune system, helping it to fight off opportunistic parasites such as Candida, viruses, and MRSA staph infections.   As an adaptogen, it is able to modulate the immune system by turning it up higher when it is necessary to fight a toxic invader.  It also has the ability to quiet down the immune system to reduce unnecessary inflammation.

The strength and coordination of the immune system plays a very important role in preventing and destroying cancer cell growth.  A 2007 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food described holy basil’s ability to combat the development of cancer. The herb significantly reduced the formation of cancerous micronuclei, while increasing antioxidant levels and healthy enzyme activity.

Breakthrough Technology for Herbal Botanicals

My favorite way to consume Holy Basil is in its fermented form, from Beyond Organic Terrain liquid herbals.  These unique products unlock the full nutritional potential of the Holy Basil by putting it through an intense 3-month fermentation process. The Sacred Herbs Terrain combines the extraordinary adptogenic benefits of fermented holy basil with the incredible anti-inflammatory and cancer killing properties of turmeric.

Related Products & Reading:
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Upgrade Your Food Choices

You’re slightly confused. You are not sure who to believe. You are ready to start, but not ready to commit to the whole enchilada. You wonder how you can possibly obtain some free nuggets that will help set you on a track to health, without breaking the bank. I will tell you what you can do. You can learn how to get healthy, and stay on track, by transitioning your food to better options, that don’t insult your taste buds and your account manager.

So how do you get healthy without falling off the wagon?

You stop ingesting toxic ingredients and transition to higher quality foods you can enjoy, so you can stay the course and continue to upgrade your health as you you continue to be empowered on how to get healthy.

Let’s get started.

Ingredients To Avoid

ingredientsThere are several toxic ingredients that are hidden in packaged foods that you have no idea are causing you harm.  How would you know if you either don’t read labels closely or don’t know what you are looking for?

Well, a lot of the confusion has been taken out of what ingredients to avoid, from this A to Z list. This list is very comprehensive, and I would suggest you avoid these ingredients as much as possible, to slow down and ultimately stop the ingestion of toxic ingredients that are damaging your body.

So now that you are aware of what ingredients to avoid in order to get healthy, let’s look at some transition foods.

Grains & Starches

gluten freeWe love wheat.  So much that we typically have it in every meal.  From our toast, cereal, bagel, pop tart, whatever…to our sandwich, pasta, pizza, and wraps.  Not to mention plenty of of other places it shows up.

If it’s not wheat, its potatoes. Easy to grow, cheap, and fill the stomach.  The North American dream meal!

The problem with wheat aside from gluten intolerances is that we ingest it in incredibly large amounts, in an non-organic form, and leave it to be assimilated by a digestive system void of a healthy ecosystem, which in turn results in large, undigested particles that eventually render themselves toxic.

Potatoes are difficult to assimilate as well and often have a nice dose of chemicals on them, including fungicide. Rice is often not much better.

So what transition ‘grains’ should you consider as an upgrade?

  • Try quinoa (keen-wa), an ancient grain with lots of protein.  Easy on the palate and easier on the stomach (rinse, then soak in clean water first for at least 2 hours first).
  • If you need to make a crust, bread, or cookie, try alternate flours like quinoa, amaranth, kamut, coconut, and almond. They don’t alter the taste much, and are generally easier on the stomach.
  • If you want potatoes, eat the red skinned kind and make sure they are as organic as possible. Even better, try sweet potatoes which offer much more nutrition.

Animal Protein

People will sometimes tell you to get healthy you are basically stuck with fruits and vegetables.  Although this has merit, it’s not entirely true.

The problem is with what they call ‘meat’ (like hot dogs for example), the cleanliness of it, and eating too much.

The only real meat you should avoid altogether is anything that comes from a swine. It’s not sanitary and the human body lacks the enzyme to actually digest it. You should avoid it at all costs if you want to get healthy.

So what transition ‘meats’ should you consider as an upgrade?

  •  Your best choice is grass fed organic beef (to avoid intaking the grains for reasons mentioned above) as it contains many more nutrients and is easier on the body.
  • Your next best choice is fish, caught from an unpolluted source that is not chock full of mercury.
  • Finally, organic free range chickens (vegetable fed) are a better choice than the caged, heavily inoculated kind.

If you think your hormones are out of balance (mood swings, stubborn weight), a lot of it can occur from hormones and other toxins injected into the meat you consume, which in turn puts yours out of balance. You can’t get healthy be eating these types of meats.

Dairy

Cow’s milk is such a favourite.  We’ve been led to believe it is the purest and only form of calcium on the planet, and if we don’t eat it we are all doomed to broken bones, osteoporosis, and can never get healthy.

The truth is, conventional dairy is very harmful to the digestive system as it is mucous forming, mostly pasteurized, full of hormones, and is actually acidic in nature.  That’s no way to get healthy.

Another ‘dairy’ product people enjoy is margarine.  Margarine became a popular alternative to butter when it got the bad rap, but since then, we have realized margarine is one molecule removed from plastic and largely undigestible.

Finally, lets not forget cheese, the add on to everything.  Hard cheese is another mucous forming food that causes digestive upset.

So what transition ‘dairy’ should you consider as an upgrade?

  • Coconut milk, almond milk, or hemp milk, preferably organic.  Check out these recipes.
  • Raw organic cows milk if you can handle it.
  • Choose organic butter, unpasteurized if you can, as it is way better than margarine.
  • Choose raw cheeses that contain bacterial cultures and are more digestible than their counterpart, hard cheese.

Note I did NOT include soy milk.  Even though it was touted as THE alternative source, it’s widely known in health circles that soy is ONLY healthy if its organic, non-GMO, and fermented.  I don’t know of any widely available soy milk that has any of these characteristics to date, so you can’t get healthy drinking it.

Fats 

Fats have received a bad rap, but as with any essential nutrient, it’s the form of it that’s the issue.

Most fats you are ingesting are trans or hydrogenated fats, which are damaging to many parts of your body, including your cardiovascular system.  These are found mostly in processed and packaged foods due to their extended shelf life.

Good fats help with many functions, including the brain’s.  Want to get smarter? Increase your beneficial fat intake.

So what transition fats should you consider as an upgrade?

  • Coconut oil is BY FAR the all around healthiest fat you can take.  It is anti-bacterial and extremely healing. Try it for cooking, in smoothies, and even baking in place of margarine or conventional butter.
  • Olive oil is also a good fat to ingest, with antibacterial qualities as well. But you need to navigate between the good and the bad.
  • Also try hemp oil and avocado oil which are loaded with healthy fats.

Sugar

The darling of the masses…everything is sweeter with sugar!

It’s not that sugar in and of itself is ‘bad’, it’s just that we eat too much of it in a bastardized form and it feeds Candida, an issue for 80% of the population. Not only that, it has caused other health issues like obesity and diabetes.

When choosing sugar, limit your intake.  Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) or any corn syrup for that matter, and limit your intake of the white refined stuff. You can’t get healthy by eating refined sugar.

So what transition ‘sugars’ should you consider to upgrade?

  • Try stevia or xylitol (non-GMO from birch), natural sweeteners with no glycemic index value. They work well in smoothies, teas, and some baking.
  • Use coconut sugar, a sugar with a malty taste that is very low on the glycemic index.
  • Consider yacon or lakanto.
  • Lastly, try raw cane sugar in place of white sugar as another alternative.

Salt

Salt has become the obsession with people starting to take care of their health, and all the talk is about how to reduce it.  The fact is, you require salt and its nutrients for many of your body’s processes to take place and to get healthy.

However, the majority of people are consuming processed table salt, that has been stripped of its spectrum of nutrients and has added chemicals in the process. This salt has little benefits, and you should limit your intake of it until you don’t consume it at all.

So what transition ‘salts’ should you consider to upgrade?

  • Use a full spectrum sea salt (pink himalayan sea salt is a good choice) that still contains all the essential nutrients of salt, so you can apply liberally to your food as you would table salt so you can get the taste AND the minerals.

Snacks

Snacks…the focal point of our gluttony.  The snack industry has capitalized on our desire to graze, but has generally made us fatter and more unhealthy than ever before.  This is one of the primary stumbling blocks when trying to get healthy.

The problem with most snacks is that they are full of hydrogenated oils, harmful salt, MSG, HFCS, GMO’s, dyes and colours, wax, and non-organic grains and starches. It’s a digestive nightmare and a dead end road if you want to get healthy.

Some newer “healthier” snacks have come to the forefront, but many of them in fact are not much better than their counterparts.  It’s important to read the top ingredients to avoid above, to understand what is in your snack food and what it is doing to your health.

So what transition “snacks: should you consider to upgrade?

  • The only snack that I have found that you could truly enjoy the taste and still feel great about the ingredients is Way Better Snacks which offers a largely organic and sprouted snack that tastes delicious.

Beverages

Two beverages that are crippling our nation can both be made much healthier – soda and coffee.

People are consuming soda at an alarming rate, with little to no idea of how it is slowly destroying multiple areas of the body. Coffee is a 1-5 cup a day habit that is not going away and as a result we are more high strung, anxious, and jittery. You can’t get healthy drinking either conventional versions.

However, both offer alternatives that can allow you to transition to a much better habit.

So what transition “beverages” should you consider for an upgrade?

  • If you really need to wean yourself off soda, or replace it with a better habit, try Zevia.  It’s sweetened with stevia and the ingredients are much less harmful than regular soda.
  • If you love the taste of coffee, but realize that the side effects are much more damaging than you would like to admit, try SereniGy healthy coffee which gives you your coffee, without the side effects.

Transition is Important

There is a lot of information out there on what to avoid, what to eat, and which are the best products out there. This can be very overwhelming and lead people to give up before they even really start.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with some easy transitions that will keep you on the wagon until you are ready to introduce a higher level of nutrition that involves considerably more fruits and vegetables, super foods, high quality herbs and supplements, and processes that improve the digestibility and nutrients of everything (like fermenting).

Until then, transition as many of the above categories you can, preferably the ones you consume the most, and get ready to progress to the next level when you are ready to feel even better!



The Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Superfoods are natural foods that have an array of nutrients that synergistically work to together to exponentially expand the individual nutritional components.  Many raw, organic vegetables fall into this category.  One of the world’s favorite superfoods is cucumbers.

Cucumbers are the 4th most cultivated vegetable in the world.  Cucumbers are in the same botanical family as melons and squashes.  They are considered one of the absolute best foods for the health of the skin, joints, liver and  kidneys.  They are also a natural energy tonic with their rich array of phytonutrients and electrolytes.

Cucumbers are Rich in Silica

Cucumbers are loaded with the mineral silica, which is an essential component for healthy connective tissue (muscles, ligaments, cartilage, bone, & skin).  They are also full of ionic potassium, magnesium, and  vitamin C, which gives them a powerful alkalizing effect within the body.  Additionally, cucumbers are particularly rich in fluids that hydrate the skin, joints, and tissues.

More recently scientists have begun studying the unique lignans found in cucumbers.  These lignans include lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol.  New research is linking these lignans with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease as well as breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

Cucumbers Inhibit Cancer Cell Signaling

Cucumbers also contain the triterpene phytonutrients cucurbitacins A, B, C, D & E.  These phytonutrients have been the major focus of some extensive research looking deeply into their abilities to inhibit cancer cell signaling pathways.

Fresh cucumbers have been shown to improve anti-oxidant levels within the body and inhibit pro-inflammatory substances such as COX-2 and nitric oxide.  The combination of alkalizing elements, electrolytes, and fluids make it one of the world’s best foods for enhancing energy levels.  Cucumbers are also great for stabilizing blood pressure and stimulating the body’s natural detoxification process.

Cucumbers Make For Beautiful Skin

Cucumbers are often used topically to enhance skin function.  The natural ascorbic acid and caffeic acid within the cucumber act to prevent water retention in the skin.  This reduces swelling under the eyes and helps the skin heal from sunburn, inflammation, and eczema.

Cucumbers are also very effective when eaten and applied topically for removing unwanted cellulite.  Cucumbers act to draw out excess fluids and tighten collagen which has the effect of a natural cellulite reduction.  Simply eat some cucumber, juice it and/or place the cucumber on the regions of water retention.

Get Your Cucumbers Organic

Cucumbers are typically highly sprayed with pesticides so it is necessary to get organic varieties.  If conventional is the only option, it is best to scrape off the green skin rather than washing.  Many of the chemicals are waxy and do not come off easy when washing.

Try dicing up cucumbers and adding some apple cider vinegar, oregano, and pink salt.  This makes a quick, electrolyte and enzyme-rich snack to boost energy levels.

Sources For This Article Include:



Things Health Nuts Do With Their Food

There are a variety of things people do to food. Some of the most common practices are baking, grilling, frying, deep frying, and microwaving. However, if you are a true health nut, you cut back on the heat and destruction of food and focus on processes that leave it raw or lightly cooked so real healing can begin in the body. Here are the top 5 things health nuts do with their food.

Blending

One of the first things you will see in a health nut’s home is a high quality blender. It’s not uncommon to see a lot of affection towards it, including winks, smiles, and gentle rubbing.

Seriously though, a blender gets a serious work out in a health nut’s home for 3 main reasons: smoothies, soups, and dips.

A common staple in any health nut’s diet is a smoothie. Nothing wakes up a thirsty, hungry, and acidic body first thing in the morning more than a delicious, alkaline, and satisfying superfood smoothie. Not only that, but you can pack more nutrition in a single smoothie than most people can pack in for an entire day, which results in incredible healing benefits. It makes getting in your daily fruits, vegetables, super foods, fiber, protein, and healthy fats, incredibly easy.

Get some ideas with these fun smoothie recipes.

Another great use for a blender is making cold and hot soups. Blending your ingredients and making a smooth textured soup greatly assists in the digestion and assimilation of nutrients so that you are absorbing as many of the beneficial vitamins, minerals, and enzymes as possible.

Finally, another major use for blenders is making fresh and savoury dips.  Whether it’s an award winning almond hummus or a healthy mayonnaise, blenders make it incredibly easy to whip these dips up in a fraction of the time and with flavourful results.

In terms of staying fresh in the refrigerator, smoothies will typically last only 1-3 hours before they go “bad” (if no preserving agent is added), and soup and dip will last up to a week.

Juicing

Another important component to preparing healthy food is juicing. Health nuts will spend more time preparing a fresh juice in the morning than most people spend preparing dinner. True story.

Juice is a great idea because it allows you to maximize your intake of fruits and vegetables (you can often get 3-4 pieces of fruit into a 12 to 16 oz glass of juice), create superior and maximum absorption of nutrients and enzymes, and put little to no stress on the digestive system in the process. This is where some real healing can begin when done properly.

Not only that, juicing can create drinks that are simply amazing. The freshness combined with your creativity can result in an unlimited amount of recipes, and you can feel good about it knowing that the nutrients and enzymes are still largely in place, with no extra ingredients required!

In terms of staying fresh, juice should be consumed immediately after it has been rendered to enjoy the nutrients and enzymes at their highest value. However, it can last a couple days, depending on your juicing method and ability to store it in airtight jars.

Fermenting

Another popular thing health nuts do with their food is fermentation. Although not as prevalent as some of the other methods, it is perhaps the most important of all.

Fermentation is the art of taking a food medium, adding a probiotic culture, and placing it in airtight containers to allow the bacteria to replicate to create an end product teeming with probiotics, vitamins, enzymes, and other beneficial nutrients.

It’s very important to note that since we have 10 times more bacteria than cells in our body and  80% of our immune system lies within our digestive system, fermented foods are one of the most important things you can do for your health. True healing does not begin until you get these foods into your diet. And fermenting foods is a very cheap method of preservation. Done correctly, fermented foods can last as long or longer than that jar of pickles in the cold room, with way more health benefits.

To learn more about the benefits of fermented foods, check out this article.

Dehydrating

Many health nuts prepare their foods in a way that results in a lot less heat, leaving them much more “‘raw”, keeping delicate enzymes and nutrients intact for consumption.

A dehydrator essentially allows you to create food that would traditionally be baked at much higher temperatures, such as breads, crackers, granola, and crusts, and allows you to gently heat them at levels that keep the delicate nutrients intact. It also allows you to create dried fruit, “chips” (kale chips are outstanding) and other treats that can last much longer than their fresh counterparts.

Dehydrating can preserve food for an indefinite amount of time and is a great choice for hiking or long trips. I can assure you, carrying a dozen apples in your backpack is much bulkier and heavier than carrying 12 dehydrated apples. Dehydrating definitely has its benefits.

Soaking/Sprouting

A sure sign you are in a health nut’s house is various bowls on the counter (right beside the jars of fermented and dehydrated foods) with standing water, filled with nuts, seeds, and grains. There is a method behind their madness.

Nature has set it up so that the nut, grain, and seed may survive until proper growing conditions are present. Nature’s defense mechanism includes nutritional inhibitors and toxic substances that can be removed naturally when there is enough precipitation to sustain a new plant after the nut, grain, or seed germinates. When it rains the nut, grain or seed gets wet and can then germinate to produce a plant. So we are mimicking nature when we soak our nuts, grains, and seeds.

Nutritional inhibitors and toxic substances found in nuts, grains, and seeds can be minimized or eliminated by soaking. These inhibitors and toxic substances are enzyme inhibitors, phytates (phytic acid), polyphenols (tannins), and goitrogens.

Since nuts and seeds provide a wide array of healthy fats, protein, trace minerals, and nutrients it is a good idea to include them in your diet. Just make sure you soak them to ensure they provide the most benefits, with minimal side effects.

So if you are not a full blown health nut yet, and haven’t used a lot of these methods, what’s holding you back?



Mushrooms Boost Your Immunity

Nature provides an amazing array of resources to improve our health and boost our immunity.  Mushrooms are a type of fungus that are enjoyed by people all over the world and renowned for their nutritional benefits.  These have used in tonics, soups, teas, prepared foods, and herbal formulas to promote health and longevity.  In recent years, scientists have studied the medicinal benefits of mushrooms on the immune system.

There are thousands of different types of mushrooms with a small percentage being poisonous if consumed.  Most mushrooms are edible and include white mushrooms, morels, truffles, portabellas, chanterelle, shiitake, maitake, agaricus, reishi, oyster, and enoki.  While all of these mushrooms have nutritional benefits, some are far denser in unique immune stimulating compounds than others.

The most common nutrients found in the majority of mushrooms include thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folate (B9), phosphorus, iron, panthothenic acid (B5), zinc, potassium, copper, magnesium, pyridoxine (B6), zinc, potassium, copper, and selenium.  All edible mushrooms are healthy for the body but some contain high levels of beta glucans, which are an extraordinary molecule that scientists are just beginning to understand.

Beta Glucan and the Immune System

Beta glucan is a powerful immune stimulating compound found in several mushrooms, yeasts, and other foods.  Beta glucan is a polysaccharide that is made up of multiple sugar molecules linked together.  The different types of beta glucan include 1,3-D glucan and Beta 1,6-D glucan,

Beta glucans are known by scientists as “biological response modifiers” that bind to the surface of innate immune cells, which allows the cells to have better coordination in their attack.  This reduces the tendency towards auto-immune reactions and hyperinflamatory activity when the body is under attack. This compound activates certain immune cells such as key T-cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and the cytokines interleukin (IL) 1 and 2.  Studies have shown that it inhibits the growth of cancer and strengthens the immune response to microbial invaders.

Beta glucans have been studied for their ability to mitigate cancer cell growth and reduce the symptoms of the common cold.  In one report by the Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism they studied firefighters and tracked their cold/flu symptoms.   Firefighters have very physically and emotionally stressful positions that demand a lot out of them. The results of the study showed that those who took beta glucan instead of the placebo had a 23% reduction in upper respiratory tract infections.  “These results are consistent with previous clinical research involving marathoners, individuals with high stress lifestyles and the general population,” wrote Brent C. Rudy, the director of the Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism.

Maitake Mushrooms  

Maitake means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. It is said that people danced for joy when they found these mushrooms because they were worth their weight in silver for their remarkable healing properties.  Maitake has been found to contain high levels of the immune modulating molecule Beta 1,6-D glucan.

Agaricus Blazei Murill Mushroom

This mushroom commonly referred to as the ABM mushroom is grown in the rain forest of Brazil and is nicknamed “The Mushroom of God.”  Studies have revealed that the ABM mushroom has the greatest density of beta glucan in the world.  When human subjects were given ABM in their diet, they saw a 3000% increase in NK cells in the blood within 2-4 days.

Reishi Mushroom:

Reishi is rich in Beta1,3-D glucan which boosts macrophages, T cells, and cytokinetic activity.   Reishi is especially good at increasing the production of tumor inhibiting cytokines IL-1and IL-2.  Reishi has powerful analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial affects in the body.  It also acts to protect the liver and detoxify the body of ionizing radiation.

Sources For This Article Include:



The Health Benefits of Hemp

One of the Most Nutritionally Balanced Foods on the Planet

Foods that have an incredible array of health benefits that go well beyond just their nutrient value are considered “super-foods.'” One of the oldest and yet seemingly most misunderstood superfoods on the planet is hemp.  Hemp is an incredible multi-purpose plant that can be used for anything from paper, rope, and cloth.  It is also one of the most nutritionally well-balanced foods on the planet.

Although many people associate hemp with its sister plant marijuana (Cannabis sativa l.) the two are not the same.  Hemp products come from a special variety that contains virtually no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the chemical that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects.  Therefore hemp is a perfectly safe food that will not make one “high” or cause anyone to fail a drug test.

Hemp has been cultivated and used by any ancient cultures since the beginning of recorded history.  Researchers have found its use in China, India, Babylonia, Persia, Egypt, and the native cultures in North & South America.  Hemp fiber was used to make rope and cloth, while the stalk was used to make paper.  These cultures also used the seed for nutritional purposes.  It can be eaten as shelled seeds, oil, butter, flour, and protein powder.

Hemp is a Complete Protein Source:

Hemp protein is one of the very few plant based complete protein sources.  This means that it contains sufficient quantities of all 9 essential amino acids.   Hemp is a great source of sulfur containing amino acids methionine and cysteine which are necessary for cellular detoxification and the production of vital enzymes.  Additionally, it is rich in branched chain amino acids that are needed for muscle growth and repair.

Almost 60% of the protein in hemp is made up of a globulin source called edestin.  Most of the rest is in the form of albumin.  Albumin and Edestin is a very similar molecular makeup as the protein found in the human body.  Because of this common link, hemp protein is very easily absorbed into human blood and used for roles as critical as DNA repair.

Hemp Has the Optimal Fatty Acid Ratios:

Most of our world is suffering from abnormal fatty-acid ratios.  Two critical forms of essential fats are the omega 6 and omega 3 varieties.  Due to the heavy consumption of processed vegetable oils and grain-fed meat & dairy products most people have very high levels of omega 6.  The World Health Organization recommends a 4:1 omega 6:omega 3 ratio.  The typical western diet produces a ratio from 20:1 – 50:1.  Abnormal ratios cause heavy increases in inflammation that leads to accelerated aging and advanced disease states.

Hemp contains the optimal ratio of 3.75:1 (omega 6:3) making it a powerful source for an anti-inflammatory diet.  Hemp is also a great source of the omega-6 essential fat gamma linoleic acid (GLA).  GLA is only found in quantities of significance in hemp, borage oil, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, & Spirulina.  Because of the scarcity of GLA much of our society is deficient in this essential fatty acid.  GLA is critical for reducing inflammation in our body and is one of the most powerful nutrients for balancing hormones.  Additionally, sufficient quantities of GLA promote healthy skin, hair, & nails.

Hemp is Rich in Fat Burning GLA:

GLA significantly increases metabolism by encouraging stored fat known as brown adipose tissue (BAT) to be effectively used for energy.  Additionally, GLA activates the metabolic process by providing key nutrients for the cellular energy system called the sodium-potassium pump.  When the sodium-potassium pump is effectively operating in every cell it can remove toxic substances from deep within the cell structure.  If the pump is weak, cells will store toxins and the metabolism will be slowed.

Hemp is used by healthy conscious individuals in a variety of ways.  I personally like to occasionally snack on hemp seed, use a high quality hemp seed protein powder, and my favorite way of consuming hemp is through hemp seed oil.  Hemp seed oil is great in green shakes or smoothies.  It is also good salad dressing oil.  However, you would never want to cook with hemp oil due to its essential fat content and it should always be stored in a cool, dark area.  Ideally, it should come in a dark container at the time of purchase.

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