Superfood Vitamins

Superfoods - What are they?

Superfoods are whole foods that have been identified by leading nutritionists, and dieticians as being high in a variety of essential vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals - the substances in all plants that give them color, flavor and disease resistance. Superfoods contain more disease fighting compounds than other foods with similar amounts of protein or fat.

Although all fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and nutrients, some contain far higher amounts of these nutritional properties. These foods have become known as superfoods and the description is obvious when you learn more about their healthy powers. It's as though nature loaded all the nutritional necessities into a wonderful array of foods for all to enjoy.

However, even though green foods are some of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, most people don't eat enough servings to reap their benefits. Greens infuse your body with easily absorbed vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fiber, chlorophyll, enzymes, and alkaline minerals that help to neutralize acids in the blood and tissues.

Superfoods - Why are they important?

Without getting too technical let's take a look at the three major benefits jammed packed in all superfoods and why they are so important: antioxidants, nutrients, and fiber.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants strengthen the immune system, muscles, bones and skin by protecting the body from wear and tear. As we age, cell-damaging "free radicals" begin to form due to stress, excessive exercise, extended sun exposure, and unhealthy processed and sugary foods. Antioxidants stabilize cell-damage and minimize the damage caused by free radicals.

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. This acronym is one of the critical anti- aging functions of superfoods. Experts recommend 3000-5000 points daily intake to slow down the aging process.

To give you a better idea of ORAC values see the table of Superfoods listed from USDA Agricultural Research Service, February 1999.

SAMPLE SUPERFOODS ORAC VALUES (PER 31/2-OZ SERVING)

• Blueberries - 2400
• Broccoli- 890 Blackberries- 2036
• Kale- 1770
• Spinach- 1260

Most of these foods contain important vitamins and minerals needed in your diets but are usually lacking. They include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and B vitamin folate, magnesium and potassium. Certain pnes also contain good carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

Fiber

The recommended amount of fiber needed in a healthy diet is 25-30g/daily. The typical American usually takes in half that amount which is why I encourage eating more whole foods. They aid in digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Fiber increases insulin effectiveness and gives you a feeling of fullness while lowering your risk of disease.

Superfoods - How can I get enough?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables every day (America Journal of Preventive Medicine, April 2007). Unfortunately, only 11% of adults in the United States meet that guideline.

If you are a veggie lover but don't know which foods are best for you, try adding a few of these Superfoods to your diet:

• Apples
• Beans and legumes
• Blueberries and Bilberries
• Broccoli
• Flaxseed
• Garlic
• Sweet Potato (orange)
• Salmon
• Spinach
• Tea - green or black
• Tomatoes

There's no excuse for not getting all the healthy nutrient-rich greens and whole foods one way or another. The most important thing is to find a way to consume the recommended daily amount of superfoods in a way that works best for you.

Mark Rosenberg, M.D. Institute For Healthy Aging | http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com | http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com/blog

Amazing Grass Green Superfood Vegetarian Capsules
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combines enough alkalizing green superfoods for you to easily readh your RDA of fruits and vegetables - plus organic pure acai powder, probiotics and enzymes. This formula helps with digestion, metabolism, promotes a healthy immune system, aids in appetite control and balances body alkalinity.


Life Extension Mix (tablets)
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A long list of fruit and vegetable extracts, amino acids, green tea extract and important minerals. This is like a multi-vitamin, but taken a step further to include several key nutrients that can help slow down the aging process.

Life Extension also the Pomegranate Extract (capsules) and Blueberry Extract with Pomegranate and CocoaGold formula, which has a high amount of antioxidants. The CocoaGold also helps with a healthy cardiovascular system by keeping the inner lining of blood vessels healthy.

Blue Mangosteen Antioxidant Blend (capsules)
This formula contains Mangosteen and Algae Antioxidants (an anti-inflammatory concentrate). It is made of raw, powdered, organically-grown superfoods and a very small portion of a proprietary blend of minerals. Designed to fight off free radicals and the damage that they cause to our bodies.

Sambazon Acai Power Caps
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Acai is a great energy and immunity booster and promotes healthy skin. Acai is packed with antioxidants, healthy omega fats, amino acids and dietary fiber.

These "PowerCaps" are the first acai whole food capsules - which, unlike extracts, completely captures the unique synergy of health benefits found in this miraculous little fruit.

pHion Green Superfood Capsules
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These green superfood capsules contain 30 alkalizing ingredients, incuding grasses, veggies and sprouts. Check out the video on pHion's website for more information on you body's acid-alkaline balance.

The pHion line of products focuses on balancing the body's pH - If you drink lots of coffee, alcohol, sugars or processed foods, you body may be overly acidic and more susceptible to disease.