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Les superfoods ou superaliments sont un type de nourriture riche en phytonutrients et dynamisés via un ensemble d'éffets synergiques puissants (et souvent thérapeutiques).
En France, la notion de "superfood" est encore une notion controversée. En Europe, il est interdit d'en faire mention au plan marketing sans une base scientifique reconnue.
Or, c'est pas ce qui manque (la base scientifique). Toutefois, la recherche en nutrition orthodoxe et en médicine allopathique française en matière de "superaliments" est jeune voire inexistante. C'est pourquoi il faut venir en Amérique dans les universités et les centres qui travaillent sur ces questions.
Dans cette perspective, l'on distingue quatre catégories des superfoods: les superaliments énergisant et immuno-fortifiant, les superaliments cibles (targeted), les superaliments longévité, régénération et bien-etre, et les superaliments "focus" (concentration).
Dans notres séjours-stages, nous passons en revue les meilleures superfoods, plus d'une soixantaine, fondés en science et utilisés dans les cliniques et centres de remise en forme en Amérique et ailleurs. Puis nous procéderons à la mise en préparation de certains de ces superfoods et démontrons, preuves à l'appui, pourquoi et comment ils sont bénéfiques.
Sur plus d'une centaines d'aliments qui ont atteint le statut de superfoods, nous en énumérons quelques uns qui sont reconnus par l'ensemble de la communauté holistique scientifique.
1. LE GOJI
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(Lycium Chinense ou "Tibeticum")
Dans les vallées du Tibet et Mongolie, le goji est honoré pendant deux semines chaque année. Des études montrent qu'un bon nombre de ces habitants vivent plus de cent ans sans maladies chroniques. Toutes les variétés du goji contiennent les acides aminées essentielles et un combinatoire puissant de minéraux, de polysaccharides, carotenoid, anthocyanin et autres.
Li-Chi Yueng (il aurait vécu plus de deux cents ans)
ANALYSE NUTRITIONNELLE
• 19 acides aminés constituant un bloc de protéines incluant les 8 vitamines essentielles pour la vie.
• 21 minéraux et oligo-éléments, incluant le germanium.
• Une gamme complète de caroténoïdes incluant le bêta carotène,et la zéaxanthine (importante pour les yeux).
• 3 fois plus de vitamine C que dans l'orange! (Le Goji à une teneur en viramine C moyenne de 170 à 280 mg pour 100 grammes).
• Les vitamines B1, B2, B6, B12 et la vitamine E.
• Acides gras essentiels et Oméga 3 (bon pour combattre les états dépressifs, diminue le stress, augmente la mémoire et la concentration, et aide à régulariser le cholestérol).
• Bétaïne, utilisée par le foie pour produire de la choline, aide à réduire le niveau d'homocystéine et protège l'ADN.
• Beaucoup d’antioxydants et de caroténoïdes, du coup, il aide efficacement à conserver un foie en bonne santé.
• Quatre types de polysaccharides qui fortifient le système immunitaire. Ces polysaccharides sont des «molécules maîtresses» qui commandent et contrôlent les plus importants systèmes de défenses du corps.
. Anti-vieillissement, il stimule la sécrétion de l'hormone de croissance via la glande pituitaire.
2. LA MACA
(lepidium meyenii)
La maca est une plante tubéreuse qui peut survivre dans les conditions climatiques extrêmes.Provenant des hauteurs de la Bolivie et du Pérou, le maca est une plante herbaceious qui est utilisé pour sa racine en alimentation et comme herbes médicinales. La recherche montre que la racine de maca est un adaptogène, fortifie l'immunité, reminéralise le corps et augmente l'énergie. La racine de maca contient plus de 55 substances phytochimiques.
Les Vitamines : La maca est riches en vitamines B et C, en particulier la vitamine B1 (ou thiamine), ce qui favorise la transformation des glucides en énergie et est nécessaire au bon fonctionnement du système nerveux et musculaire. Elle facilite également la dégradation de l'acide pyruvique, toxique pour le système nerveux. Un déficit en vitamine B1 dans l'alimentation humaine provoque le béribéri.Augmente la Fertilité (Urology 55 :598-602, Avril 2000, Dr. Gonzalez 2001, 2003, Dini et al.
La spirulina maxima est une algue "blue-green", vieille de plus de trois milliards d'années. Lorsque les Européens débarquèrent en Amérique centrale ils découvrirent que les Aztèques de Mexique précolombiens consommaient abondamment de la spiruline. La spiruline contient une mine de nutriments dans un très petit volume : elle renferme entre 55 et 70 % de protéines, le taux le plus important connu à ce jour pour un aliment avec la présence de tous les acides aminés essentiels. Elle est très riche riche en fer (40 fois plus que dans les épinards), en vitamines (vitamines B12, E et provitamine A) et de l'acide gamma-linolénique. Sources
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that thrives in warm, alkaline fresh-water. It’s one of the cleanest, most naturally sterile foods found in nature. This tiny aquatic plant has been eaten by humans since prehistoric times, and has now earned the modern-day status of Superfood. Imagine a vegetable with more protein than soy, more Vitamin A than carrots, more iron than beef, and tons of phytochemicals, that’s also easy to digest. That’s Spirulina. It’s said to have been one of the main food sources of the Aztecs until the 16th century. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals and the essential fatty acid GLA. Add Spirulina to your favorite Healeo drink and up your daily nutrient count.
DAVID WOLFE SUR LES SUPERFOODS
CACAO
The genuine cacao tree is a small evergreen tree, grown 20 degrees north and south of the equator, in South America, the West Indies, Mexico, the Caribbean and on the West Coast of Africa. Yes, cacao really does grow on trees. The trees have pods, and inside there’s a layer of sweet pulp with anywhere from 20-60 seeds or beans embedded in it. These cacao beans contain a wide variety of unique nutrients. Cacao is said to increase your focus and alertness, and help keep you happy. Most people are happy just to learn that cacao is a Superfood and powerful antioxidant that’s bursting with beneficial nutrients. Hoorah for cacao! It makes many of our Healeo drinks delicious and incredibly nutritious.
MANGOSTEEN
Grown primarily in hot, humid climates of Southeast Asia and Indonesia, the mangosteen is a round, purple fruit about the size of a medium peach. The bitter rind is crushed away to reveal a delicious pure white fruit that some say is the best tasting fruit in the world. Well, that’s up to you, but it is pretty darn good, and impressively nutritious, earning it Superfruit status. We should note it has nothing whatsoever to do with the mango. It’s said that Queen Victoria offered a sizeable reward to anyone who could bring an edible mangosteen back to England, but no one was able. What a shame. This one’s too good to miss. Add a shot of mangosteen to your Healeo drink for an antioxidant blast that contains the heralded nutrient Xanthones.
CAMU CAMU
For quite some time, the scientific community has known that Camu Camu berries provide an astonishing amount of naturally occurring Vitamin C, in fact, 30 to 60 times more than citrus fruit. Camu Camu berries are truly the richest source of Vitamin C in the world. These prized berries grow only in very remote areas of the Amazon Rainforest, so they have been hard to come by. Wild crafting camu camu berries has proven to be more profitable than clearing the rainforest and grazing cattle, so local communities can now create a sustainable economy based upon their ancient traditions of wildcrafting camu camu. That’a a win for everyone. Healeo offers you Camu Camu every day of the week. Add a shot to your drink for some Vitamin C pow.
CRYSTAL MANNATM
Crystal Manna is 100% pure Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (AFA), and is one of nature’s most perfect Superfoods. This unique blue-green algae grows wild in the spring-fed pristine waters of Upper Klamath Lake in the beautiful state of Oregon. Harvested at the peak of its potency, it’s carefully preserved to maximize nutrient concentration. It contains the widest variety of nutrients of any known algae, and is power-packed with vitamins, minerals, rare trace elements, essential fatty acids, proteins, active enzymes and amino acids. In other words, it’s a super Superfood!
FLAX
Flax has been around since ancient times. But by modern day standards, it’s now touted as a modern miracle food due to its high content of alpha linolenic acids. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Many studies show flax seed has excellent properties to help promote good health. These studies show it lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels, may help lower blood pressure, and is good for the heart. Flaxseed also contains lignans which have antioxidant benefits. Add Flax to any Healeo drink to promote a healthy heart.
HEMP SEEDS
This one comes as a surprise to many. But, yes, hemp is a Superfood.
Hemp seed is one of the plant kingdom’s most concentrated, complete, and balanced sources of essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Hemp seeds are high in essential nutrients, including chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, iron, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin. It’s rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids, and is also one of the few plant sources of gamma-linolenic acid. All that, in one little seed.
BEE POLLEN
Bee pollen is one of nature’s most complete Superfoods. It’s 25% to 35% protein, and contains an un-bee-lievable range of 18 amino acids, water soluble vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids including Omega 3’s, and enzymes and co-enzymes. Not to mention many of the enzymes necessary for digestion and healing. If that seems like a lot, there’s even more super about bee pollen—it is an abundant source of phytonutrients including carotenes, bioflavonoids and sterols, which makes it a powerful antioxidant. As a rich source of quercetin, bee pollen is also recognized for its anti-allergy and antihistamine properties. Now that’s a Superfood! Add a scoop to any Healeo drink.
KAVA KAVA
Kava is a tall shrub in the pepper family that grows in the South Pacific islands. For thousands of years, due to its relaxing qualities, the Kava root has been used as a folk remedy and to make a social and ceremonial beverage. Today, the kava root herb is said to have a tranquil effect, and is used to overcome stress, anxiety and insomnia. It’s active ingredients are called kavalactones. Add a Kava Kava to any Healeo drink for a calming, relaxing effect.
E3 LIVETM
E3Live is Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (AFA), also known as blue green algae. Despite its long name, it’s simply one of the most powerful high energy superfoods out there. Consumed for centuries by those in the know, it’s a whole living food rich in vitamins, trace minerals, protein, enzymes, amino acids, and chlorophyll. E3Live is 100% wild grown in Upper Klamath Lake and captured at its peak nutritional growth cycle.
It’s an incredibly nutritious whole food containing over 64 nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body. Down some E3Live in Healeo’s Brain On shot, or add it to your favorite Healeo drink.
WHEAT GRASS
Wheat Grass is one of the most alkaline green leafy vegetables on the planet. Adding Wheat Grass to your Healeo drink is a potent, convenient way to help get your daily quota of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables. Wheat Grass is definitely one of natures most perfect Superfoods. A superior source of protein, it’s packed full of Vitamin E and K, chlorophyll, enzymes, minerals, beta-carotene and lutein. Studies have shown it to have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, with positive effects on cellular health and regeneration. Go green for goodness sake!
TOCOTRIENOLS
Tocotrienols are one of two types of Vitamin E. (The other is Tocopherol.) Plant oils, particularly palm, rice bran, palm kernel and coconut oils are rich sources of Tocotrienols. They are fat soluble substances with strong antioxidant properties, stronger than those of their counterpart Tocopherols. Studies show they may be more useful in lowering cholesterol levels and protecting against cardiovascular disease.
Bottom line, Tocotrienols are the Superfood of Vitamin E.
PURPLE CORN KERNELS
With four times more antioxidants than blueberries, these kernels can be boiled to make a delicious antioxidant tea or ground for corn bread or tortillas.
BLACK BOTIJA OLIVES
Artisan-crafted heirloom olives, tree-ripened and naturally cured in spring water and sea salt. Moist, and juicy, with a tangy twist.
GOLDENBERRIES
A cross between sweet oranges and chewy raisins, each of these deliciously tart berries is bursting with nutrients – vitamin C, bioflavinoids, and even protein.
TRUE BLUE AGAVE™
An exquisite low-glycemic sweetener made entirely from mature Blue Agave. Sweeter per calorie than sugar, and doesn’t cause energy crashes.
BRAZIL NUT POWDER
The incredible nutrients of Brazil Nuts, without all the fat calories – essential amino acids and 2,500 times more selenium than any other nut.
These crisp, meaty nuts are a king-sized, super-nutrient alternative to ordinary nuts. Rich and buttery, they satisfy almost any snack attack, with all 9 essential amino acids - a complete protein. Just three of them meet your daily requirement for the vital mineral selenium! Truly raw, these nuts are shelled at low temperature to protect their treasure trove of nutrients. It's more than health food - it's Essential Living Food.
HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT
This is by far the purest salt available on earth and is absolutely uncontaminated with any toxins or pollutants. It’s known as “white gold” in the Himalayas, and
contains natural elements identical to the elements in our bodies. Our bodies can’t live without salt, and this is the purest there is!
MESQUITE POWDER
A sweet (yet low-glycemic) molasses-flavored protein powder that adds thickness, sweet flavor and a smooth texture to many recipes. Excellent for those with a Gluten or Wheat sensitivity. In desert areas of the Americas, mesquite seed pods have been used as a food source for indigenous peoples, who traditionally ground them into a powder to be used as a sweetener or as a flour. Today, mesquite powder is coming on the scene as a versatile food with high nutritional and flavor value. It’s also highly effective in balancing blood sugar, because its sugar is in the form of fructose, so it helps maintain a healthy insulin system.
CHIA SEEDS
Packed with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, as well as antioxidants, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and protein. They can be sprinkled onto cereals, soups, salads, yogurt or smoothie.
TOMATOES
A thorough review of scientific literature strengthens the evidence that eating tomatoes and tomato-based products can provide powerful protection against many kinds of cancer. Dr. Edward Giovannucci, a leading cancer researcher at Harvard Medical School, reached this conclusion after analyzing the results of 72 studies on the health effects of tomatoes. "The antioxidant properties of lycopene, a carotenoid found primarily in tomatoes, have raised interest in the tomato as a food with potential anticancer properties," says Dr. Giovannucci, whose research review appeared in the February 17, 1999, issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Some studies examined dietary differences between cancer patients and people free of the disease, while others measured lycopene levels in blood plasma. A total of 57 studies present convincing evidence of a relationship between tomato consumption or blood lycopene level and the risk of cancer. The data are strongest for cancers of the prostate gland, lung and stomach, but also extend to several other kinds, including breast, pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral and cervical cancers. According to Dr. Giovannucci, these benefits were observed whether the diets contained fresh or processed tomatos. Researchers believe that lycopene neutralizes harmful free radicals that can damage cells and trigger cancer. But researchers believe that cancer protection most likely comes from a complex interaction between lycopene and other phytochemicals and nutrients present in tomatoes. The author advises that current recommendations should emphasize the health benefits of diets rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and tomato-based products. Though there is strong evidence connecting lycopene and cancer protection, researchers are not in agreement about how this occurs.
THE BROCCOLI
JOHNS HOPKINS SCIENTISTS have found a new and highly concentrated source of sulforaphane, a compound they identified in 1992 that helps mobilize the body's natural cancer-fighting resources and reduces risk of developing cancer."Three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk," says Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology. Talalay's research team fed extracts of the sprouts to groups of 20 female rats for five days, and exposed them and a control group that had not received the extracts to a carcinogen, dimethylbenzanthracene. The rats that received the extracts developed fewer tumors, and those that did get tumors had smaller growths that took longer to develop. In a paper published in tomorrow's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Talalay and his coworkers describe their successful efforts to build on their 1992 discovery of sulforaphane's chemoprotective properties. Work described in the study is the subject of issued and pending patents. A systematic search for dietary sources of compounds that increase resistance to cancer-causing agents led the Hopkins group to focus on naturally occurring compounds in edible plants that mobilize Phase 2 detoxification enzymes. These enzymes neutralize highly reactive, dangerous forms of cancer-causing chemicals before they can damage DNA and promote cancer. Sulforaphane "is a very potent promoter of Phase 2 enzymes," says Jed Fahey, plant physiologist and manager of the Brassica Chemoprotection Laboratory at Hopkins, and broccoli contains unusually high levels of glucoraphanin, the naturally-occurring precursor of sulforaphane."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
LE FRUIT NONI
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