March is National Nutrition Month, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics!
No I’m serious, it really is!
Time to celebrate by eating super, nutrient-dense foods! I have compiled a beginner’s list here for
you –we all have to start somewhere. There
are many amazing foods out there that are nutrient dense and very
functional. A list like this is inherently subjective and a practical list couldn't and shouldn't contain them all. I mean if you're aware of a particular, rare mushroom with miraculous healing powers, but it can only be located after trekking the Amazon jungle for a month, then well, that's not really going to help the rest of us 9-to-fivers is it?! All the foods I have listed here can be found at almost any super market or whole-foods-type market. This is a practical list for you and I. So what makes me consider a food “Super”?
As far as this list is concerned a food will not be considered super unless it
possesses healing properties above and beyond providing nutrition and
energy. “Healing properties?” you ask – why yes, along with providing
energy and nutrition, food can also be Mother Nature’s most raw and powerful
‘medicine’. Let me give you few examples of some healing and medicinal
properties I’m referring to and how they are defined:
- Anti-oxidant: Neutralizes free-radical molecules in the body, due to
oxidative metabolism, by binding to them. Free-radicals left
unchecked can wreak havoc in the body by pulling electrons from other
molecules and speed up the aging process of cells.
- Alkalinizing: If you’ll
remember from my earlier article on pH-balancing, your body’s natural pH
is slightly alkaline, and many of the refined foods, sodas, coffees, and
dairy we eat are very acidic causing the body to leach calcium and other
minerals from our bones and muscles to neutralize the acids. An
acidic body has a weakened immune system and does not function at its
ideal.
- Anti-inflammatory: Some foods lower inflammation and it is
now thought that chronic, systemic inflammation is directly linked to
elevated CRP, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, arthritis, Lupus, and
many other problems.
- Lower LDL-cholesterol and/or raise
HDL-cholesterol: This one really
needs no explaining. Good for the heart and blood vessels.
- Anti-biotic/anti-fungal: Some foods naturally accomplish this role
in helping the immune system eliminate harmful pathogens from the body and
preventing Candida, (yeast), overrun.
- Anti-cancer/carcinogenic: Some foods directly battle cancer cells, and
bust up tumors.
- Anti-allergenic: Can help our immune systems grow accustom to allergens and
prevent reactions.
- Phyto-chemicals: Micronutrients found in plant-foods including
phyto-estrogens to block bad/synthetic estrogens, isoflavones, flavonols,
and plant sterols. These amazing chemicals do things like lower
LDL-cholesterol, function as anti-oxidants, support hormone balance, and
combat cancer.
- Improve Insulin sensitivity/glucose tolerance: Helps cells uptake glucose from the blood for energy using less insulin.
