Food For Health And Healing

What is the best food for the health and healing of our bodies?

Eating food is normally regarded as recreational, but it has a more important part to play in the nutrition and healing of the body. Let's consider what we are putting into our bodies and whether it is good for our health. Our bodies are machines and machines need the best fuel for maximum performance.

Food Essentials

A list of what our bodies need and where to find it...

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a healthy diet as one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. But just what minerals and nutrients are vital to our health and well-being? Consider these nutrient-dense foods when you're looking to improve your vitamin and mineral intake.

Vitamin A is needed for good eyesight and optimal functioning of the immune system. Cod liver oil, dairy products, sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables are all great natural food sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is imperative to the body's ability to process carbohydrates. Whole grain breads, cereals and pastas have high amounts of thiamin.

Riboflavin, or B2, can be found in fortified cereals, almonds, asparagus, eggs, and meat. It's used in many body processes, including converting food into energy and the production of red blood cells.

Niacin, also known as B3, can be found in lean chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts, and fortified cereals. It aids in digestion and also plays a key role in converting food into energy.

Vitamin B6 can be found in fortified cereals, fortified soy-based meat substitutes, baked potatoes with skin, bananas, light-meat chicken and turkey, eggs, and spinach. It's vital for a healthy nervous system, and helps break down proteins and stored sugars.

Vitamin B12 is needed for creating red blood cells, and can be found in beef, clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, poultry, and soybeans.

Vitamin C. Citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, ccauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach are all loaded with vitamin C, which is vital to promoting a healthy immune system, and making chemical messengers in the brain.

Vitamin D can be found in fortified milk, cheese, and cereals; egg yolks; salmon; but can also be made by the body from sunlight exposure. It's needed to process calcium and maintain the health of bones and teeth.

More Food For Health And Healing...

the list continues...

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant and is essential to your skin's good health. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, almonds, hazelnuts, and vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, and soybean to get this vital nutrient.

Folic acid can be found in fortified cereals and grain products; lima, lentil, and garbanzo beans; and dark leafy vegetables. It's vital for cell development, prevents birth defects, promotes heart health, and helps red blood cells form. Pregnant women need to take special care to ensure they are getting enough of this for themselves and their developing baby.

Calcium. Dairy products, broccoli, dark leafy greens like spinach and rhubarb, and fortified products, such as orange juice, soy milk, and tofu are all loaded with calcium. Like vitamin D, it's very important in helping to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.

Copper. Organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all high in copper, which aids in metabolism of iron and red cell formation. It also assists in the production of energy for cells.

Iron can be found in leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, soy foods, and some fortified foods. It's needed to transport oxygen to all parts of the body via the red blood cells.

Potassium can be found in foods like Broccoli, potatoes (with the skins on), prune juice, orange juice, leafy green vegetables, bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. It aids in nervous system and muscle function and also helps maintain a healthy balance of water in the blood and body tissues.

Zinc. Red meat, fortified cereals, oysters, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy foods, and dairy products are great dietary sources of zinc. Zinc supports the body's immune function, reproduction capabilities, and the nervous systems.

Protein is the main component of muscles, organs, and glands. Every living cell and all body fluids, except bile and urine, contain protein. The cells of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are maintained with protein. Children and adolescents require protein for growth and development, and adults need it to maintain cell integrity. It can be found in foods like beans, milk and meat.

Carbohydrates Are Important Too...

Carbohydrates The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. Complex carbohydrates are the best choice for a stable blood sugar level. Whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, and starchy vegetables are all good complex carbohydrate sources.

Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses. Good sources are fish and shellfish, flaxseed, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts. Also, as more people are finding out, omega 3 fatty acids in fish are extremely beneficial for the brain.

Though this list is far from complete, it gives a good base of knowledge on which to build a healthy, well-balanced diet.

What Are Superfoods?

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT HOW FOOD, IN PARTICULAR THE "SUPERFOODS", CAN TAKE YOUR HEALTH TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL, THEN CHECK OUT THE BOOK BY AINE BELTON, "MIRACLE SUPERFOODS"

In her book she lists the 23 "Superfoods" proven to do the following:

Deter Aging
Massively Boost Your Immune System
Aid Weight Loss
Lower Your Cholesterol
Radically Improve Your Energy
Enhance Your Mental & Emotional Well-being
Boost Your Libido
Alkalise Your System
Protect against Toxins and Pollutants
Beautify Your Skin
Cleanse and Fortify Your Blood
Nourish and Revitalise your Systems
Fight and Protect against numerous diseases including Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Stroke, Cancer, Arthritis, Cataracts, Osteoporosis, Acne, Obesity, High cholesterol, Age-Related Blindness...

...Plus you will receive 5 bonuses, plus her free article, "Food of the Gods" which contains over 300 identifiable compounds, unrivalled antioxidant power, healthy minerals, mood-enhancing substances and aphrodisiac properties...

READ MORE ABOUT THE BOOK "MIRACLE SUPERFOODS"

New YouTube vids

Living Well: Superfoods

3.78

Why Soy Is NOT a Health Food www.mercola.com

4.40

powered by YouTube

Did You Ever Consider A Body Detox?

If you are serious about eating right and only putting healthy, life-giving foods into your body, it also makes sense to get rid of the toxins which have accumulated over the years.

Detoxing your body is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. People are raving about the huge benefits of having a detox, saying how wonderful they feel afterwards and the enormous increase in energy they experience. The only thing is, how long does this last? Can you just do a detox once and then that's it? Of course the answer is no. Even in our everyday lives, no matter how careful you are about what you eat or drink, there are many ways in which more toxins will invade your body.

In his book 12 Steps To A Complete Body Detox- A Natural Path To Superior Health, Calvin Newstead reveals his program which gives you a sustainable body detox.

He describes how he went from debilitating back pain to being able to compete with his 18 yr old son in a triathalon, just by following his own body detox program (which he discovered by accident).

If you have ever tried a detox, felt great, but then were disappointed when you went back to feeling lousy again (the detox rollercoaster ride) then you may want to check out Calvin's 12 Step Detox program. As Calvin says, "...just about anyone could put together a detox program, but not everyone can put a detox program together that actually achieves a true SUSTAINABLE full body detox."