Brazilian Acai: Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil and hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature's perfect energy fruit. Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Acai continas contains a remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine. A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health. An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, it is vital for to proper muscle contraction and regeneration. The fatty acid content in acairesembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and as we all we know, inflammation causes aging.
Cayenne Pepper Fruit is a member of the plant genus "capsicum" (cap-sih-kum), a term that comes from the Greek word kapto, which means "to bite". All peppers contain compounds called capsaicinoids. This is especially true of cayenne peppers, which derive their spicy heat, as well as extraordinary anti-inflammatory, analgesic, heart-healthy effects, from very high levels of capsaicinoids, the most common form of which is capsaicin. In addition to capsaicin, Cayenne peppers are high in antioxidant carotenes and flavonoids, and contain about twice the amount of vitamin C found in citrus fruits. Cayenne is also great for supercharging your metabolic rate helping you to burn body fat at a much higher rate.
Garlic Lowers total cholesterol (but raises HDL--"good"--cholesterol). It lessens the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), may lower blood pressure, may reduce the risk of blood clots, destroys infection-causing viruses and bacteria, produces more "natural killer" cells in the blood to fight infections, and enhances detoxification by reducing toxins.
Soybeans Isoflavones are naturally occurring plant compounds that are particularly concentrated in soybeans. Genistein, Daidzein and Glycitein are the major isoflavones found in soybeans and offer the most numerous health benefits. Soybeans are extremely beneficial in a "Smart Carb" diet because they rank low on the glycemic scale, which means that they do not cause the inflammatory, hunger-inducing spike in blood sugar levels associated with refined grains and baked goods.
Barley: Not only is barley a low-glycemic grain, it is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps the body metabolize fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber, commonly called "roughage", promotes a healthy digestive tract. Barley provides high concentrations of tocotrienols, the "super" form of Vitamin E.
Wheatgrass: Before World War II, drug stores throughout the country (especially in the grain-belt states of the Midwest) sold tablets of dried wheat or barley grass as a kind of primitive vitamin supplement. Today, young wheat and barley grasses are dried and powdered to make dietary supplements. The health benefits of this "Super Greens Food" are too numerous to list all of them.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a healthy bacteria found in high concentrations in Kefir and Yogurt. Also known as a Probiotic. In humans, probiotic microbes help the body's ongoing fight against infectious diseases by competing with the pathogens for food, nutrients and survival. This is why human breast milk is rich in nutritional factors that foster the growth of bifidobacteria—a beneficial bacterial family that keeps babies’ intestinal ecosystems healthy and disease-resistant.
Alfalfa Sprouts are a highly nutritious food. There are a great many reasons to eat sprouts. As we age, our body's ability to produce enzymes declines. Sprouts are a concentrated source of the living enzymes and "life force". Additionally, due to their high enzyme content, sprouts are also much easier to digest than the seed or bean from which they come.
Flaxseed: If you want to dramatically control your weight with no hunger pangs and reduce the visible signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin, it is recommended that you "go nuts." Nuts and Seeds are so rich in appetite suppressing nutrients that they are a must have in any healthy diet. Flaxseeds are especially beneficial because of their remarkable fatty acid profile and rich source of lignans.
Buckwheat: Usually thought of as a grain, buckwheat is actually the seed of a broadleaf plant related to rhubarb. It surpasses rice, wheat and corn on almost every measure of healthfulness (including the fact that rice, wheat, and corn are high on the glycemic scale, thus provoking a quick spike in blood sugar levels, a proven promoter of systemic inflammation). Buckwheat, on the other hand, ranks low on the glycemic scale. Its protein characteristics also enhance buckwheat's ability to reduce and stabilize blood sugar levels following meals--a key factor in preventing diabetes and obesity.
Idebenone: (pronounced eye deb eh known) A fat soluble analog of Co-q10, Idebenone is an extremely powerful anti-oxidant that can improve neural mitochondrial performance and facilitate transfer of information between hemispheres of the brain. Idebenone was first marketed by the Allergan Corp. as the world's strongest antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agent for cosmetic purposes. Idebenone is also great for memory and cognitive performance, as well as energy and mood enhancement.
EGCG's: from Green Tea leaves are rich in polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants also found in vegetables, fresh fruit, red wine and dark chocolate. When brewing green tea, the polyphenols are infused with hot water and are responsible for green tea's astringent and bitter taste. Flavanols are an important green tea polyphenol, with catechins as the predominant form of flavonols. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is quantitatively the most important polyphenol, and is considered the main active ingredient in green tea. Green tea extract and EGCG play an important role in weight management: reducing body fat by enhancing metabolism and increasing fat oxidation.