Raw Foods-Superfoods

Online summary: 600 words
Printed version: 1700 words

• What is a Superfood?
• Naturally Occurring Standard (NOS)
• Do you need Superfoods?
• Supplement vs. Superfood?
• Algae, Pollens, Sprouts & Young Grasses, Edible Weeds/Local Wild Foods
• Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and/or Mucilage
• Fruit & Berry Seeds
• Vegetables
• Spices
• Seasonings
• Food Components: What they do for you
• Super Blue-Green Truffles Recipe
• Buyer Beware

Superfoods are a 100% natural product, with these distinct features:

• Boosts and ensures adequacy of nutritional intake

• May also be used to target specific areas of healing

• Provides nutrients needed for optimal function and rejuvenation

• It may be obtained in a purely whole form (e.g. head of garlic), or purchased in a bottle (e.g. chlorella tablets or blue-green algae)

In general, Superfoods are excellent for improving:

• Any inflammatory condition

• Blood flow

• Cancer prevention and treatment

• Cardiovascular health

• Cellular repair and wound healing

• Detoxification

• Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) intake

• Eyesight

• Fatigue

• Gastrointestinal health and digestion

• Healthy growth and development

• Hormonal balance

• Hypertension

• Immunity

• Mental clarity

• Overall well-being

• Quality protein intake

• Skin

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

• Weight loss

While Superfoods may be considered nutritional supplements, not all supplements are Superfoods. A nutritional supplement is something designed to make up for a dietary deficiency or generally strengthen the body. A supplement may or may not be naturally derived.

In addition to our super foods list our chart also tells you common ways to use each ingredient

• Algae - Chlorella, Spirulina, AFA (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a blue-green algae)

• Pollens - Rich in antioxidants, the B-Complex vitamins, carotenoids, enzymes, hormones, rutin, vitamins C and E

• Sprouts & Young Grasses - Rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals, hormones, essential fatty acids, enzymes, vitamins, and chelated minerals

• Edible Weeds/Local Wild Foods - The best way to learn about local edible species is to attend an edible weed class in your area. Accurate identification of plants is essential. Use caution! Each species varies on what part of the plant is edible, and when/ how to use it. Many edible weeds make excellent additions to salads and freshly pressed juices.

• Foods High in Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and/or Mucilage - Aloe vera, Chia seed and sprouts, Fenugreek sprouts, Flax seed and sprouts, Hemp seed nut

• Fruit & Berry Seeds - Acai, Acerola, Amla, Camu camu, Goji berries/Wolfberries, Grape seeds, Mangosteen, Noni, Sprouted berry seeds

• Everyday Vegetables, Spices, and Seasonings - Celery Seed, Garlic, Ginge, Maca, Turmeric

From Adaptogen to Zinc, our full laminated guide provides you with an instant reference for the potential health benefits of:

• Adaptogen

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid

• Antioxidant

• B Complex

• Beta-Carotene

• Biotin (part of B-Complex)

• Calcium

• Chlorella Growth Factor

• (CGF)

• Chlorophyll

• Chromium

• Copper

• Coenzyme Q10

• Docosa-Hexaenoic Acid (DHA,

• an Omega-3 Fatty Acid)

• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA

• an Omega-3 Fatty Acid)

• Essential Fatty Acids

• Folic Acid

• Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA,

• Omega-6 Fatty Acid)

• Glutathione

• Iodine

• Iron

• Lecithin

• Lignans

• Magnesium

• Manganese

• Niacin

• Nucleic Acids

• Oligomeric Pro-

• Anthrocyanidins (OPCs)

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Potassium

• Prostaglandins

• Selenium

• Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin E(Alpha-tocopherol)

• Vitamin K

• Zinc

• BEWARE of small amounts of Superfoods that are added to other processed foods. If a Superfood has been processed above and beyond what it minimally needs to be commercially available, or if it has been cooked or requires cooking as part of a product, don’t buy this product for its potential Superfood value.

• BEWARE of what other ingredients are a part of any Superfood product. Avoid fillers, chemical preservatives, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and synthetic vitamins.

• BEWARE of the supplement market; all products are not created equally. Always take into account the processing method, origin of ingredients, and labor practices involved in getting the product to you.

• BEWARE of the word, “natural.” It has no legal definition and can therefore be used freely in product descriptions whether it merits the terms or not.