Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
The term superfoods is just as popular a buzzword as Collagen in the health and nutrition world today. It refers to nature-packed nuggets of antioxidants – fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices – that are naturally found all around the world. But superfood powders make these …
? by Alfonso Cenname on Unsplash We all know the importance of greens in our daily diet. But getting the right amount through what we eat alone can be somewhat of a challenge. Despite constant ongoing research and awareness, the average American still only consumes …
Written by Claudia Guy, ND
Phytonutrients are often disguised, healthy pigments that span the colors of the rainbow. Though these healthy pigments translate into nutrients, there are certain foods that contain far more nutrients than our everyday foods. We call these superfoods. They may pack more Vitamin C than lemons, or more carotenoids than carrots.
Despite research and more awareness, the average American still only consumes 1-2 servings of vegetables daily, which leaves them way behind the current dietary recommendations of 5-9 daily servings. One way to catch up with your servings of vegetables and fruits are with superfood blends.
Superfoods are nature-packed nuggets of antioxidants and detoxifiers. These super-packed fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices are found all around the world, but the good news is that you don’t have to travel to get them. InVite® Health has found a way to preserve these boluses of super nutrients through freeze-drying, which preserve freshness and nutrients without the sugars and carbohydrates. Gathering and cultivating these non-GMO superfoods is done with utmost scrutiny and inspection for purity and potency. We have created several unique superfood blends, each with a great taste and unique purpose, including support of the heart, brain, immunity, detox, circulation, vision, digestion, and energy. Because of their potency, InVite® Health superfoods are regarded as pharmaceutical-grade supplements.
Our newest vascular superfood is Beets Hx®. It contains no sugar and combines fermented non-GMO organic beet root powder and the skin of tart non-GMO cherries. Beets Hx® is substantially high in nitrates. These nitrates convert to nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation, exercise endurance, and workout recovery. Beets Hx® also contains trimethylglycine, a very important step in methylation, detoxification and the breakdown of homocysteine, a marker of atherosclerosis.
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Dr. Claudia Guy, ND
Naturopathic Doctor – Westbury, NY 516.506.7850 and New Hyde Park, NY 516.616.5767
Claudia Guy received her Doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Dr. Guy is currently an active member of SHINE Medical and Dental Mission Team, and mentor and speaker for Sister to Sister International and is a participating member of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians(NYANP) and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). Email Dr. Claudia: [email protected]
Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash Making the same protein shake every morning or before your workout can get boring pretty fast. Shake up your routine by adding superfood powers like Cocoa Hx®, Greens Hx® and Collagen Hx® and InVite®’s Whey Protein Powders into these …
It can be difficult to incorporate healthy foods into your diet, so we have designed superfoods to include into your nutritional routine.
For years, health professionals have been advising others to “eat the rainbow,” advising to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. For many, getting those 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables is a struggle. How does one get the antioxidant, immune boosting, vitality supportive benefits of a rainbow of foods? While there is no replacement for eating fruits and vegetables, by including black-pigmented superfoods, you can support your body with antioxidants powerful enough to make a difference.
Black pigmented superfoods are among the strongest antioxidants that exist, as measured by the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), which measures how effectively a food or nutrient neutralizes free radicals; the higher the number, the stronger the antioxidant. There is certainly something very special about black pigments as potent protectors of our body at the cellular level, where oxidative damage occurs. Oxidative damage is like rusting and leads to immune dysfunction, interruption in cellular communication, inflammation, accelerating aging and a host of other issues that keep wellness out of reach. Antioxidants act like martyrs, breaking down to protect our body from physical and biochemical damage, like a shield. A diet rich in antioxidants forms a substantially bigger and much more protective shield than a diet lacking them.
These special black-pigmented superfoods are especially nourishing for immunity and help to support normal inflammatory responses. Hailing from the Middle East, black seed (Nigella sativa) has been identified as an inflammation regulator, immune tonic, analgesic (pain fighter) and natural antimicrobial. Black seed also has been shown to reduce muscle spasms, support muscle function, balance blood sugar and nourish the optimal function of organ systems, especially the brain and neurons, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines. The ability of black seed to support so many body systems and functions is why it has been such a revered herb to the many cultures who value natural remedies. As a blood sugar balancer, black seed has been shown to support insulin production, glucose metabolism and cellular insulin uptake. Black seed supports the prevention of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), bringing needed balance to this important biochemical system. In the heart, studies show that black seed supports healthy cholesterol levels, normal blood pressure and prevents platelets in blood from becoming too sticky, warding off blood clot formation and the buildup of plaque in the arteries. In the GI tract, black seed seems to support normal intestinal function, keeping colitis and ulcers at bay and may even protect against heartburn. In the kidneys, black seed reduced blood levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, which reflect poor kidney function when levels are high; it acts as a shield against toxin-induced damage to the kidneys. x In the liver, black seed has been shown to protect against damage caused by heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Black seed also restores levels of glutathione, our internal master antioxidant and detoxifier, as well as other highly protective antioxidants in the liver. In the brain, black seed helps to combat stress and anxiety and balance brain chemistry and mood. This powerful spice also has a powerful protective and regenerative effect over nerve cells, as well as an anticonvulsive effect, opening the door for further research into brain disorders like epilepsy and even Alzheimer’s disease. Black seed may reduce lung inflammation, improve the function of different cell types and biochemicals in the lungs like surfactant that keeps lungs from deflating, clear respiratory viruses and mucus buildup and even improves lung function in asthmatics. In a 2010 study published in the journal Phytonutrients, participants with asthma were given two different doses of black seed oil or a placebo. Both groups experienced a dramatic reduction of wheezing, coughing, bronchial construction and other pulmonary dysfunction, some in just two weeks. At the end of the trial, most participants were using less medication, especially rescue-type inhalers and all had improved scores on pulmonary function tests.
Another black-pigmented superfood, the shiitake mushroom (Lentinula Edodes) hails from East Asia and has been used for thousands of years as both food and medicine.
What do you think about these black-pigmented superfoods? Leave us a comment to join in our conversation!