Tag Archives: zinc

Seven+ Superfoods, Part 6: Goji (Wolfberry)

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This is Part 6 in a series of Seven+ Superfoods. Previously, we have learned about Gac, Fucoidan, Mangosteen, Acai and Sea Buckthorn.

This post is dedicated to Goji (pronounced GOO-chee), sometimes called “Wolfberry,” also known as “Himalayan Mountains Berry of Life” as well as “Nature’s Most Complete Food for Eye Health.” Its Latin name is Lycium Barbarum.

Yes, that is a mouthful, but keep reading and you’ll know why…

Why is Goji a Superfood?

Wow, are you ready? Trying to keep this in manageable “bites,” but golly, there is just so much to share! :)

Goji contains 500X more Vitamin C than oranges, making it a powerful antioxidant powerhouse. These antioxidants enhance the immune system, restore and repair damaged DNA, and prevent free radical damage.

The richest source of carotenoids, Goji contains more beta carotene than any food source on earth. The Vitamin A converted by the body from beta carotene makes Goji is valuable to vision and overall eye health. The fatty-sheathed retina makes a wonderful home for beta carotene, which seeks out fatty layers in which to make a home.

Also aiding eye health, a type of antioxidant called phenolics are richly concentrated in Goji berries at 1309 mg per 100 grams. Raspberries, usually touted for phenolic content only contains 85 mg per 100.

More eye-health heavy-hitters are zinc, zeaxanthin and lutien. Zinc prevents macular degeneration, which zeaxanthin and lutein are absorbed from the blood by the retina. The retina deposits zeaxanthin and lutein in the macula lutea area of the eye, providing a light-absorbing filter against intense sunlight. Goji is one of the richest sources of zeaxanthin with 162 mg per 100 grams of Goji berries. Continue reading →

How to Eat Organs Without Flinching

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Raise your hand if you can eat organs without flinching. I’m talking a heart on a plate. Could you do it?

I didn’t think so.

Traditional food cultures included not just your typical animal food sources (meat, milk, eggs), but organs as well.They knew what scientists are now able to prove: organs are full of concentrated amounts of vitamins and minerals and are the most nutrient-dense foods available.

Dr. Weston A. Price discovered that natives ate fresh organs full of vitamins A and D to keep them healthy, fertile, and able to maintain pregnancies with rarely a miscarriage or stillbirth. Continue reading →

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds - and a challenge

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Did you know one tablespoon of chia seeds contains 2,375mg’s of omega-3′s? Chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Chia seeds contain the highest known proportion of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) at over 60%. The omega-3 to omega-6 ratio is 3:1. They also contain 19-23% complete protein, providing all essential amino acids in appropriate balance.

Chia seeds are the superfood.

Unlike flax seed, another high source of omega-3′s, they don’t need to be ground before consuming. You can toss them on salads or in your yogurt, add to banana bread, or make a fruit pudding (recipes below).

Due to the strong antioxidant activity, the omega-3′s (DHA, EPA) are not easily oxidized like they are in flax seeds which don’t contain antioxidants.

Here is a breakdown of nutrients that you will find in one serving (2 TBSP) of chia seeds… Continue reading →