top ten superfoods

Superfoods. What are they? According to this blog post superfoods paired with super thinking is a recipe essential for maintaining a super brain. But what exactly classifies a superfood? In the wellness world the term superfood is used zealously but there is still confusion about what is and what is not a superfood.

My health coach training course at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, from which I'll graduate in June 2014, has covered the topic of superfoods and the list I'm sharing with you now is set forth in the course by David Wolfe. So… get comfortable, brew your herbal tea, and prepare for clarity to come…

Superfoods are a class of the most potent, super-concentrated, and nutrient-rich foods on the planet. Superfoods have the ability to tremendously increase the vital force and energy of one's body, and are the optimum choice for improving overall health - boosting the immune system, elevating serotonin production, enhancing sexuality, cleansing, lowering inflammation, and alkalising the body.

one. cacao (raw chocolate). The seed/nut of a fruit of an Amazonian tree, cacao is the highest antioxidant food on the planet, the #1 source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, manganese, and chromium. It is also extremely high in PEA, theobromine (cardiovascular support), and anandamine ("bliss chemical"). Raw chocolate improves cardiovascular health, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, elevates your mood and energy, and increases longevity. 

two. goji berries (wolfberries). Used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years, goji berries are regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and potency food of the highest order. This superfoods contains 18 kinds of amino acids, including all eight essential amino acids, up to 21 trace minerals, high amounts of antioxidants, iron, polysaccharides, B & E vitamins, and many other nutrients. 

three. maca. A staple in the Peruvian Andes for thousands of years, this adaptogenic superfood increases energy, endurance, strength, and libido. Dried maca powder contains more than 10% protein and nearly 20 amino acids - including seven essential amino acids. 

four. hemp products (eaten in raw form). Hemp seeds are packed with 33% pure digestible protein, and are rich in iron, amino acids, and vitamin E as well as omega-3's and GLA. Hemp is a perfect food for growing children and adults looking to increase protein intake. 

five. spirulina and AFA blue-green algae. Spirulina is the world's highest source of complete protein (65%). Spirulina provides a vast array of minerals, trace elements, phytonutrients, and enzymes. AFA blue-green algae is a wild-grown superfood that is made up of 15% blue pigmented phycocyanin which, according to Christian Drapeau in his book Primordial Food, increases our internal production of stem cells. Both spirulina and blue-green algae are vital superfoods. 

six. bee products (honey, pollen, and propolis). Bee pollen contains nearly all B vitamins especially vitamin B-9 (folate) and all 21 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Honey, in its organic/wild, raw, unfiltered states is rich in minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, and enzymes, and is one of the highest vibration foods on the planet. If your metabolism can handle sweeteners, honey is the best. Russian research indicates that honey is a longevity superfood. 

seven. camu berry. Camu berry is one of the highest vitamin C sources on the planet, second only to the Gubinge, the Kimberley version of the Kakadu Plum from Australia - our very own superfood! The camu berry is great for rebuilding tissue, purifying blood, and enhancing immunity and energy. Camu berry is one of the best anti-depressants, immune building, and eye-nourishing superfoods in the world. 

eight. sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, nori, etc). Rich in life-giving nutrients drawn in from the ocean and sun, sea vegetables help remove heavy metals, detoxify the body of radioactive iodine, provide numerous trace minerals, regulate immunity, and decrease the risk of cancer. Seaweeds benefit the entire body, and are especially excellent for the thyroid, immune system, adrenals, and hormone function.

nine. medicinal mushrooms (reishi, chaga, etc). High in polysaccharides and super immune enhancing components, medicinal mushrooms are one of the most intelligent adaptogenic herb/superfoods on the planet! They have also been proven effective in healing cancer and a variety of other ailments. 

ten. additional superfoods & supplements:

• MSM
• Digestive and Metabolic Enzymes
• Mangosteen Powder
• Marine Phytoplankton
• Activated Liquid Zeolite
• Ormus
• MegaHydrate
• Crystal Energy
• Krill Oil (not vegan, lowest on the food-chain, a source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids)

On the news front… please check out my new Facebook page and stay tuned for my health coaching website coming soon in 2014! X