Pure Health Centre : January 2015

Tuesday 13 January 2015

Colour Wheel of Natural Foods

Colour Wheel of Natural Foods

Nature provides us with an array of bright colours to stimulate our senses and encourage us to eat a variety of foods. Each colour is represented by a different nutrient, but they are all beneficial for our health, helping to keep us cancer free and at lower risk for heart disease and other ailments.

Red
Many of The red-hued foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit and papaya get their colour from the phytonutrient lycopene. Lypocene is believed to be responsible for the decreased risk of certain cancers including prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, bladder, breast and stomach. Interestingly, cooking greatly increase the amount of lycopene that we absorb by breaking down the plant cell wall. So eating tomato based pasts sauces and soups is great for your health!

Yellow & Orange
Beta-carotene is responsible for the orange and yellow colour of many vegetables and fruits. Inside the body it converts to vitamin A which helps keeps the eyes, skin, bones and teeth healthy. It also may help to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease and boost the immune system. Alpha-carotene is also found in this colour group and it has been associated with lower risk of death from cancers of the organs, tissues of the respiratory tract and upper GI tract such as the mouth and esophagus. Careful though, eating too much of these fruits and veggies can cause your skin to go a bit yellow!(although it isn't harmful to your health!)

Green
Darker is better when it comes to choosing your greens because it means they have higher levels of carotenoids! Dark green vegetables are also rich in Vitamin K which helps blood clot properly and keep bones healthy and strong. Greens are also sources of vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants which help inhibit age-related eyesight deterioration, reduce the risk of chronic disease and inhibit the spread of cancer cells.

Blue + Purple

Anthocyanins are the antioxidants responsible for the blue and purple spectrum of the fruit and vegetable world. Blueberries own the bragging rights for having almost four times the amount of cancer-fighting and inflammation reducing antioxidants than most fruit, and wildest blueberries have the highest levels of all with double that of regular blueberries.

White
Despite their neutral colour, white vegetables and fruits contain many phytonutrients, they are rich in fibre and sulforaphane a compound that protects the lining of the stomach by preventing bacterial overgrowth. Their phytonutrients also help reduce inflammation which can play a role in ailments such as celiac disease, IBS and rheumatoid arthritis. White vegetables and fruits have also been found to reduce the risk of stroke by 52%!

Maca - The Ancient Peruvian Superfood

Lepidium meyenii, known commonly as Peruvian Ginseng or maca, is a root vegetable that belongs to the radish family native to the high Andes of Peru. It has been cultivated as a vegetable crop in Peru for at least 3000 years. Maca’s benefits have long been valued, and has recently been popularized as a supplement and food ingredient. What are maca's benefits? Below are the 7 top health benefits that maca provides:

1. Vitamins

Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, potassium, phosphorous and contains the essential trace elements iron, iodine, copper, manganese and Zinc. Maca also contains fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid as well as 19 amino acids.

2. Sexual function

Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility. Hormonal regulation is responsible for all of the physiological attributes that enable us to enjoy the myriad sensations of being vibrantly alive, including those related to sexual arousal, physical activity and mental-emotional states of wellbeing.

3. Women’s health and mood

Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca. Hot flashes are diminished; sleep is normalized while stress levels are reduced when incorporating maca Power into a daily wellness routine. Peruvian Maca root encourages the body to produce its own hormones to restore balance, instead of introducing hormones to the body. It's the simple, natural approach that brings a world of difference to women suffering from the sometimes debilitating symptoms.

4. Energy

Within days of using maca your energy level may increase. It is also known for increasing stamina. Many athletes take maca for peak performance. Unlike many other energy- and muscle-boosting substances, such as anabolic steroids, maca contains no chemicals that interfere with or over-activate normal endocrine function. If you find yourself tired most of the time, experiment with maca to see if it helps. Just a small amount could be exactly what you need for a boost!

5. General health

Maca helps your overall health in a number of ways. It supplies iron and helps restore red blood cells, which aids anemia and cardiovascular diseases. Maca keeps your bones and teeth healthy and allows you to heal from wounds more quickly. Maca is an adaptogen, which means that it raises the body's response to defend itself against disease both physically and emotionally. When used in conjunction with a good workout regime you will notice an increase in muscle mass.

But be very cautious if you have a cancer related to hormones like testicular and ovarian, among others. If you have liver issues or high blood pressure you should ask your doctor before taking maca.

6. Skin

Many people take maca for skin issues, as for some people it helps to clear acne and blemishes. Another benefit for your skin is that is decreases sensitivity. In hot or cold weather, maca may help your skin withstand extreme temperatures.

7. Mood balance

If you find yourself overcome with anxiety, stress, depression or mood swings, maca may help alleviate these symptoms, though of the evidence is anecdotal. Some have reported an increase in mental energy and focus. Adaptogens increase the body's ability to cope with physical, chemical and biological stress. Characteristics of an adaptogenic herb are non-toxic, while increasing resistance to stress, fatigue & distress - helping the body regain balance.

Maca can be used for a variety purposes, which can differ for men and women. Here is a break down of the top ways it helps both sexes.

Male:

Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
Treat sexual dysfunction (Loss of Libido)
Increases stamina & athletic performance
Nourishes glandular system
Fertility enhancement
Improves physical and emotional well being
Promotes mental clarity
Balance hormones

Female:

Treat PMS (Mood Swings)
Menopause symptom relief (Hot Flashes)
Sexual stimulation
Nourishes glandular system
HRT alternative(Hormone Replacement Therapy)
Increases stamina & athletic performance
Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
Balance hormones

Overall, maca will:

Promote vitality

Contribute to a feeling of overall well-being

Maintain good health

Provide antioxidant support

Maca root is a food and therefore should not be used in small quantities. For it to be effective and to achieve results, proper dosages should be followed. In keeping with original ancestral Peruvian dosages, you should mix 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of maca into smoothies, yogurt, herbal teas, fruit juices, etc. Or if you are using maca capsules take 2 to 6 500mg capsules per day or as directed by your health practitioner.

Energy 2060kJ	Fat saturated 4.00g
Fat Total 32.00g	Carbohydrate sugars 13.00g
Carbohydrate Total 39.00g	Dietary Fibre g
Protein 9.00g	Cholesterol mg
Sodium 70.02mg