The subtle energy of your food becomes your mind
After decades of extensive research, many nutritionists and researchers believe that more than our genetics, our chosen lifestyle and eating habits can accelerate aging.
According to research, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is the body’s most powerful natural antioxidant enzyme that plays a critical role in reducing the oxidative damage and inflammation.
To slow down aging process, new cells must constantly be replaced with the old or dying cells. But as people age, there are not enough new cells to replace damaged or dying cells.
Oxygen (which is essential to life) poses a threat to our biological system. In fact, more damaging to body cells than toxins or environmental pollutions are internally generated pro-oxidants.
Our body creates energy by burning nutrients with oxygen, but in the process of generating energy, certain inevitable oxygen molecules known as free radicals are created.
These free radicals are highly reactive and unstable oxygen molecules that play a main role in accelerating aging and auto-immune diseases. In fact, as we age, the number of free radicals increases and they could significantly damage and ruin any other molecules that they come in contact with (like DNA, proteins, and lipids).
Scientists have released studies that suggest anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 (depending on diet, food preparation, and the amount of oily foods consumed per day) “free radicals” are attacking our living cells and tissues per each day.
The best way to fight free radicals and have more energy is to add the following organic foods to your diet on a daily basis:
1. Green vegetables: Organic green veggies, in particular, kale, broccoli and carrots are high in phytochemicals, micronutrients and antioxidants and have strong anti-aging properties.
2. Berries—including blueberries, gojiberries, gooseberries, red whortleberries and barberries :
Organic berries, in particular blueberries are high in antioxidants and can protect your body against damage of free radicals and toxins: http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/health-benefits-of-blueberries-antiaging-killing-cancer-cells-reducing-risk-of-Alzheimers-heart-disease-diabetes.php
Goji berries are high in powerful antioxidants including carotenoids (good for eyes), beta-carotene (twice beta-carotene as carrots), polysaccharides, lutein, germanium and zeaxanthin.
There are few other foods that have even higher level of antioxidants than these blueberries and goji berries. These foods (from highest level of antioxidants) are: dried Indian gooseberries, dried red whortleberries, barberries (commonly used in Persian rice made with barberries and Saffron) and dried pomegranate seeds.
3. Fruits high in vitamin C: Organic citrus fruits, pineapple, pomegranate, lemon, coconuts, and papaya are amazing source of antioxidants, bioflavonoids, phytochemicals and micronutrients.
4. Organic Green/herbal tea: Organic green and herbal teas are an amazing source of powerful antioxidants.
Keep in mind that many herbs imported from China have also high levels of aluminum, lead and arsenic. Even green tea (not real ones) with so many health benefits can be contaminated with high levels of fluoride: http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/toxic-chemicals-gmo-ingredients-in-nutritional-supplements.php
5. Organic raw cacao beans: Organic cacao beans are great superfood high in antioxidants, flavonoids nutrients and minerals such as sulfur, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
Statistics show that 80% of Americans have magnesium deficiency and raw cacao beans are an amazing source of magnesium.
Keep in mind, that conventional or milk chocolates are not real chocolates and they can have high levels of toxic preservatives, additives and artificial colors/flavors like soy, MSG or High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that have been linked to Metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides, liver disease, hyperinsulinemia, chronic fatigue, dyslipidemia, pancreatitis, fetal Insulin resistance and sugar craving.
If you do not have access to raw cacao beans, make sure to look for dark chocolates that have up to 50%-75% raw cacao.
6. Various groups of antioxidants can even work better together: To stay younger and have more energy add various groups of antioxidants including Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Vitamin E, Glutathione, Bioflavanoids, Lutein, Lycopene, Coenzyme Q10, Zinc, Copper, Managese, and Vitamin A to your diet.
In fact, beta carotene and vitamin A in carrots are an amazing source of antioxidants. Leafy vegetables like kale and broccoli are amazing source antioxidants, in particular, vitamins C and E.
7. Herbs and spices: Spices including turmeric, cinnamon and ginger have strong antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory and can fight against accumulation of toxins and free radicals.
Studies suggest that cinnamon may improve blood-glucose levels by increasinginsulin sensitivity and significantly lowering blood-glucose levels. Herbs like oregano, basil, garlic and onions have also strong antioxidant substances that can fight against heart disease and cancer.
Make sure not to heat or fry herbs or greens in high temperatures, since heat can kill and destroy most of enzymes and phytonutrients.
Some of these foods including onion can even become carcinogenic when exposed to heat. In fact, fried onions retain heat and increase the temperature of the oil used for frying and the intense temperature can easily burn your skins if any of it gets on you.
This high intense temperature of fried onionsdestroys nutrients in onions, for instance if you are making a vegetable fried rice dish. High temperatures during frying destroy the fat-soluble vitamins like A and Vitamin E which are very heat-sensitive as well as other fatty acids like vitamin F.
Keep in mind that when oils are heated at a very high temperatures during frying, (e.g. smoking point temperatures), they produced carcinogens.
8. Foods high in omega3 like nuts, olive oil, hemp seeds, avocado and wild salmon: The imbalances between omega 3 and omega 6 in Western diet is the root of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation, diabetes, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.
These autoimmune issues can affect the body’s functionality to replace old dying cells with new ones.
Human body has evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 of approximately 1.
However, many nutritionists and experts believe that this ratio should be even higher, like 3 to 1.
Based on the Western diet, the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 is more like 1/15-1/25. The primary sources of omega 6 in Western diet (high in free radicals) are red meat, dairy, corn oil, hydrogenated (partially hydrogenated) fats and oils, butter, canola oil, soy oil, and margarine.
The primary sources of omega 3 fatty acids are wild salmon, nuts (walnuts and cashews), olive oil, flaxseed, sesame seeds, avocado and hemp seeds.