What are the new Superfoods
and why should we take them?

Superfoods have super quantities of phytochemicals and bioactive substances that we rely on for our very existence. With decades of diminishing food quality confronting us and an epidemic of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, allergy, lethargy and cancer - it's no wonder science is looking hard for the holy grail of foods - the Superfoods - those that give us the biggest bang for our buck and help protect us from a world which has become more than a little toxic for our bodies to cope with.

From formaldehyde and benzene fumes emanating from adhesives in particle board, to scotch guarding in our carpet and dry cleaning, volatile organic compounds are everywhere - even in our paint and furnishings. The human body has to put up with quite a toxic cocktail within the environment we have chosen to live compared to our ancestors. All of the VOCs we have surrounded ourselves with for the sake of convenience, comfort and creativity have come back to haunt us with another C word - cancer. Volatile organic compounds and other oxidizing substances in our food and automated environment are degrading our health and it's becoming harder and harder to avoid them. So, it's no wonder we have been told time and again to make sure we eat a good cross-section of fruit and vegetables - organic where possible - as just about all fruit and vegies contain those little substances which clean up oxidizing substances in our bodies and protect our cells from the damage caused by our modern environment. They are called antioxidants and some foods have them in enormous quantities - they are called Superfoods.

Among the first Superfoods to be recognized were apricots with an ORAC (Just think of the ORAC value as the "cut and polish" power to keep your cells clean!)

Score of 1100 u mol/100g, broccoli with 2500 u mol/100g, and the humble blueberry with 5000 u mol/100g. The hunt for Superfoods then really kicked in with Goji berry (25,000u mol/100g) followed by Acai (35,000u mol/100g) - The current "King of Superfoods" the Maqui berry has (95,000u mol/100g) which means that the Maqui berry has 100 times more powerful antioxidants than an apricot for cleaning up oxidative substances in your cells that are responsible for so many health problems in society today. That's why Maqui has been recently named the Ultimate Super Fruit. As well as antioxidants most of these Superfoods also contain vitamins and minerals, bioactive substances and phytochemicals - the mounting evidence is that these natural substances provide enormous natural support for our general health. The movement toward super-nutrient foods has already led to followers cutting down on expensive man made vitamin formulations which do not have the synergistic advantage of whole foods. This is a phenomenon where complex nutrients within whole foods aid and complement one another so our body gets better absorption and the power of group-nutrient interaction.

So what are some of the new Superfoods?

Super Foods and Tumors

Yum Berry - from the Yang Mei tree that has adorned the avenues of China and Japan for centuries. The Yumberry has the highest known concentration of OPCs - the most powerful class of Antioxidants - which are thought to be the only natural antioxidant capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to directly support the brain and nervous system. In addition OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanins) have been studied for their potential to support healthy blood vessels - particularly in the legs, and help the body maintain healthy gums.

Maqui Berry - called the ultimate Super fruit Maqui has a phenomenal antioxidant level more than any other - even more than Acai. Maqui has powerful anthocyanins and phenolic compounds which have been studied for their ability to support the immune, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems as well as supporting the body in its natural defense against cancer. Maqui Berry is hitting the headlines in the U.S as a powerful antioxidant to support the body's detox system and the way it utilizes body fat. Combining a balanced whole food diet with exercise and Maqui powder is the latest weight management tool in the US and UK.

Goji Berry Polysaccharide concentrate - Goji has been used for thousands of years as a natural rejuvenator, and to support fertility, sexual function, strength and endurance. It appears that the unique long-chain polysaccharides in Goji berry are responsible for many of its gifts. In addition Goji has a high antioxidant level and a full range of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals responsible for supporting eye and skin health as well as the body's natural defense against cancer.

Acai Berry - Second only to Maqui in its antioxidant score - Acai has its own unique range of phytochemicals, bioactives, micro and macro-nutrients, amino acids and omegas - it is a true powerhouse of the Amazon and supports the immune ,cardiovascular and respiratory systems and is also thought to support the body's natural defense against cancer.

All of the Superfoods have their own unique range of beneficial bioactives, phytochemicals and other nutrients which support human health. There are many reasons to include some or even all of them in your diet - we all want the energetic health that Nature has promised us.

"This information is presented in good faith, but is not warranted as to accuracy of result. The information provided about specific products in this publication has not been evaluated by any Food and Drug Administration and is not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use this information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication or supplements, especially if you are pregnant or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem"