Chlorophyll Benefits

What is chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is actually responsible for the green pigmentation in plants. What does chlorophyll do? Chlorophyll is what absorbs energy from the sun to facilitate photosynthesis in plants. Chlorophyll to plants is like blood to humans. It is important in many plant metabolic functions such as growth and respiration.

Interestingly, chlorophyll is chemically similar in composition to that of human blood, except that the central atom in chlorophyll is magnesium, while iron is central in human blood. This, and the fact that chlorophyll is central in plan metabolism, had prompted scientists to find out if chlorophyll can offer similar benefits to humans. A number of chlorophyll researches have been focused on finding out the potential chlorophyll health benefits in humans.

Health Benefits of Chlorophyll

True enough, chlorophyll has been seen to provide health benefits to those who take them. It has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Here are some of the known chlorophyll benefits:

• It has been seen to help in the growth and repair of tissues.

• Chlorophyll helps in neutralizing the pollution that we breathe in and intake everyday - a good supplement for smokers

• It efficiently delivers magnesium and helps the blood in carrying the much needed oxygen to all cells and tissues.

• It is also found to be useful in assimilating and chelating calcium and other heavy minerals.

• It had been seen to have a good potential in stimulating red blood cells to improve oxygen supply.

• Along with other vitamins such as A, C and E, chlorophyll has been seen to help neutralize free radicals that do damage to healthy cells.

• Chlorophyll is also an effective deodorizer to reduce bad breath, urine, fecal waste, and body odor.

• It may reduce the ability of carcinogens to bind with the DNA in different major organs in the body.

• Chlorophyll may be useful in treating calcium oxalate stone ailments

• It possesses some anti-atherogenic activity as well.

• It can be used to treat infected wounds naturally.

• These are only a few of the multitude benefits that chlorophyll can do to the body.

• It has antimutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties so that it may be helpful in protecting your body against

toxins and in reducing drug side effects.

Chlorophyll Sources

Some vegetables contain particularly high amounts of chlorophyll. Spinach tops the list with 300 to 600 milligrams per ounce. It’s far and away the best food source for chlorophyll. After spinach, there is a huge gap.

Green olives, come in a distant second with 30 to 300 micrograms per ounce or 1/1000th the amount as found in spinach. Other good food sources of chlorophyll are asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green cabbage, celery, collard greens, green beans, green peas, kale, leeks, green olives, parsley, romaine lettuce, sea vegetables, Swiss chard, and turnip greens.

However, cooking destroys much of the chlorophyll.

If you want to enjoy the aforementioned benefits of chlorophyll, it is best to get your regular supply through chlorophyll supplements. Chlorophyll extracts, chlorophyll liquid solutions and chlorophyll tablets are now widely available and can be bought in local drug and health stores. Whether they are in liquid of tablet form, chlorophyll benefits can allow you to enjoy a stronger immune system, strong set of tissues and organs, and a naturally healthy body and life.

 

Go Nuts!

Nuts are one of the best plant sources of protein. They are rich in fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants such as Vitamin E and selenium.  Nuts are also high in plants sterol and fat - but mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 - the good fats) which have all been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.

Walnuts
Walnuts are especially great because they have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in fatty fish like tuna and salmon. We know that omega-3 fatty acids lower levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the bloodstream. Experts are not exactly sure how. Omega-3 fatty acids may also slow down the growth of plaques in the arteries and reduce swelling throughout the body.

Almonds
Many studies show that almonds have real health benefits too. Almonds are a good source of protein and are high in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron as well as vitamin E. Like other nuts, they also provide a good source of monounsaturated fat (the good fat that is needed for heart health).
In a 2002 study, one researcher tested 27 men and women with high cholesterol over three months. People who ate about a handful of almonds a day lowered their bad LDL cholesterol by 4.4%. Those who ate two handfuls lowered it by 9.4%. The results were published in the journal Circulation.
Studies presented at the 2006 Obesity Societies Annual Scientific Meeting (NAASO) showed evidence that almonds help to satisfy hunger. In fact, eating a handful of almonds a day could play a valuable role in weight management.

Brazil Nuts
Another must are Brazil nuts. A recent study conducted at the University of Illinois in the US suggests that Brazil nuts may play a vital role in preventing breast cancer. According to the scientists who carried out the study, this benefit is probably a result of the high amounts of selenium they contain.
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralise harmful free radicals that can attack healthy cells and increase the risk of serious conditions like heart disease and cancer — including breast cancer as already mentioned, and lung, bowel and prostate cancer.

Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are significant sources of (1.) iron, essential for red blood cell function and enzyme activity, (2.) magnesium, which promotes energy release and bone growth, (3.) phosphorus, which builds bones and teeth, (4.) zinc, essential to digestion and metabolism and (5.) selenium.
The list of health benefits attached to each individual nut is endless.

Peanuts
Technically legumes, peanuts are a concentrated source of monounsaturated fats. A 2003 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed regular consumption of peanuts lowers triglycerides and improves diet quality by increasing nutrients known to be protective against cardiovascular disease. Peanuts contain all nine essential amino acids. In addition, peanuts contain the antioxidant resveratrol (A natural compound found in grapes, mulberries, peanuts, and other plants or food products, especially red wine, that may protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease by acting as an antioxidant, antimutagen, and anti-inflammatory).

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts' rich taste and sense of indulgence sometimes overshadows their nutritious bang―they're an excellent source of vitamin E, fiber, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Hazelnuts are especially high in proanthocyanidin-containing antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and delay the onset of dementia (Significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning).

Pistachios
The pistachio is one of the oldest edible nuts and one of the most dense protein sources at 6 grams per ounce, with cystine being the limiting amino acid. This little nut also comes out on top in fiber content, with as much as 3 grams per ounce, putting pistachios on par with oatmeal. Pistachios are also the only nut to contain a significant amount of the carotenoid lutein, which has been associated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

Drinking coconut water has many benefits. Coconut Water is naturally

• Low in Carbs
• 99% Fat Free
• Low in sugars

Coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help

1. Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
2. Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage.
3. Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
4. Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
5. Raise your metabolism.
6. Promote weight loss.
7. Boost your immune system.
8. Detoxify and fight viruses.
9. Cleanse your digestive tract.
10. Control diabetes.
11. Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS.
12. Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer.
13. Treat kidney and urethral stones.
14. Boost poor circulation.

More information about Coconut Water

"It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak." In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.

• Coconut Water is more nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol.
• Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories.
• Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.
• Coconut water is naturally sterile - Water permeates though the filtering husk.
• Coconut water is a universal donor - Its identical to human blood plasma.
• Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
• Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV.

"Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural", according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization.

• Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.
• Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.
• Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
• Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.

Data is based on a 100ml drink

"The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine." - Hippocrates