Antioxidants are a group of unique vitamins and minerals, some manufactured by our body and found in a variety of foods (especially abundant in the Plant Kingdom) that are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage from free radicals. Tufts University researchers found that antioxidants can rejuvenate an aging immune system, while other studies suggest their prevention and even reversal of age-related memory loss and mental problems, and they have even been found to aid those suffering from ADHD. In charge of maintaining a healthy balance in our body, antioxidants work in synergy with one another, providing us with a strong defense network against degenerative diseases like heart disease, skin cancer, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions.

What Are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are chemically unstable molecules with unpaired number of electrons.  They are produced by natural functions like the process of making energy in the body.  This process called biological oxidation happens by moving electrons from one oxygen molecule to the next; when one electron escapes, it is classified as a free radical.

Free radicals play a role in both life and death.  At low levels, some act as switches, turning genes on and off.  They perform critical functions from controlling the blood flow through our arteries to fighting infection and keeping our brains sharp and in focus. Some free radicals can even kill cancer cells. But just like the flip of a switch, some of these signaling molecules can turn on us and create degeneration, and irreparable damage. Without an ample amount of antioxidants in the body, these “free” electrons can create a variety of diseases like stroke and heart attack, promote premature aging, and even increase the likelihood of cancer.  Overproduction of free radicals in a specific area causes inflammation, which can lead to arthritis. In order to combat these free radicals, there must be a substantial supply of antioxidants in the body. Maintaining the right balance between antioxidants and free radicals is key for optimal health.

The Antioxidant Network
The antioxidant network is an amazing structure with various players on whom your life depends on (you’ll see why in a bit). Antioxidants disarm free radicals by engulfing them (like Pac-Man), which allows the radical to join the antioxidant’s molecular structure. The antioxidant then becomes a weak free radical, which doesn’t really cause any harm. Then, it is up to other antioxidants in the network to restore the former antioxidant turned weak free radical into its glorious antioxidant state again. In this way, free radicals are neutralized, and antioxidants recycle each other back to their original state. Antioxidants are said to be our own personal physicians, as they are the ones responsible for making sure our cells are healthy. When a cell is not healthy, the antioxidant network’s job is to detect this anomaly, and send a signal to our genes on what to do (if the cell should continue living, or if it should die). Just so you get an idea of how important this is: The number of oxidative hits to DNA per human cell is 10,000 a day. Multiply that times 50 trillion cells in your body. Now do you begin to see why you need to eat fruits and veggies every day? Since you are as healthy as your cells are, it is literally up to antioxidants – which you get by eating from the Plant Kingdom – to keep you alive. The following are the top stars of the antioxidant network:

• ❉ Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant not produced by the body, but obtained through food or supplements.  It regenerates vitamin E and works with it to prevent oxidation of lipoproteins that can lead to heart disease. It is essential in keeping immune function strong, may have antiviral and antibacterial properties, preventing and reducing the common cold.  Also necessary for the production of collagen, which holds the body together and is critical for wound healing and arthritis. This vitamin has been documented to decrease bronchitis, tonsillitis, and other common throat and lung ailments. Foods rich in vitamin C include: Red bell peppers, papaya, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cherries, strawberries, kiwis, jicama, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and kale.

• ❉ Vitamin E is fat-soluble and must also be obtained through food and supplements.  It travels through the body in molecules called lipoproteins and protects them from oxidation. Oxidation of lipoproteins can lead to atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries and heart disease.  Keeps your brain cells from aging as well as your skin youthful by protecting it against UV, ozone radiation damage. It relieves symptoms of arthritis, and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s.  This vitamin is also recycled by lipoic acid and Coenzyme Q10 and has a unique ability to be the only one who can move through the fatty parts of a cell membrane. Foods rich in vitamin E include: Almonds, Sunflower seeds, olives, spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, collard greens, blueberries, avocado and whole grains.

• ❉ Lipoic Acid, the most versatile of all, is the only one who can regenerate the entire antioxidant defense network.  It protects against stroke, heart disease, and cataracts, and it strengthens memory and prevents brain aging.  This antioxidant reverses mushroom poisoning of the liver, which is usually incurable, and suppresses bad genes. Lipoic acid can boost levels of glutathione. Our bodies produce lipoic acid in small quantities. Foods rich in lipoic acid are green plants like spinach, broccoli, and dark leaf vegetables like collard greens.

• ❉ Co Q10 (Coenzyme Q10) is an effective treatment for heart failure, angina and high blood pressure. It is also synthesized in most human tissues. This fat-soluble antioxidant, present in all cell membranes, rejuvenates brain cells and may aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Works very closely with vitamin E.  Foods that contain Co Q10 are: soy beans, sesame seeds, pistachio nuts, cauliflower, broccoli, and strawberries.

• ❉ Glutathione is manufactured by the body and keeping high levels of it prevents premature aging.  This primary water-soluble antioxidant recycles vitamin C and it’s involved in the storage and transport of amino acids. Glutathione is crucial for a strong immune system and the detoxification of drugs, pollutants and healthy liver function. Foods that boosts the levels of glutathione in our bodies are: avocados, asparagus, kale and also foods rich in sulfur containing amino acids like dark leafy vegetables, onions, garlic, leeks, broccoli and cauliflower.

Network Boosters
Phytochemicals are potent plant-based chemicals, and most are classified as antioxidants.  Most enhance the effectiveness of the star antioxidants.

• ❉ Flavanoids are antioxidant compounds found in the pigments of plants. They interact with the network by regenerating vitamin C.  The strongest are pycnogenol and ginkgo biloba. Flavanoids promote good circulation, contain anti-inflammatory effects, protect against heart disease, treat impotence, slow down aging, and act as brain boosters.

• ❉ Carotenoids are natural pigments, of which 60 are found in fruits and vegetables with bright colors. Some of them are converted into vitamin A, which plays a role in healthy skin and the ability to protect against skin cancer. Some, like lutein, can decrease risks of cataracts. Beta-carotene mixed with others can boost immune function and lycopene lowers rate of prostate cancer.

Source: The Antioxidant Miracle: Put lipoic acid, picnogenol, and vitamins E and C to work for you.  Packer Lab

Magnesium is an intracellular nutrient and metabolic electrolyte. It’s a very important essential macro-mineral, not only the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, but also involved in several hundred enzymatic reactions, with cardiovascular functions being one of them. Known as the “relaxer” mineral, magnesium is an alkaline earth metal, involved in more the 300 biochemical reactions in the body such as energy production, synthesis of essential molecules, cell signaling and ion transport across cell membranes. This anti-stress mineral is the central component in the “blood” of the plant world just like iron is to our own human blood, because the central atom of the chlorophyll structure is magnesium. I’m in love with it already – aren’t you? Some highlights:

• ✴ Magnesium is needed for heart, muscle  and digestive system function. It has a very positive effect on the mucus membranes, nerves in general, and excretory and secretory nerves specifically.

• ✴ It is alkalizing for the body (raises pH levels), as it neutralizes acids in the system.

• ✴ Cools the brain and nervous system, has a calming effect on nerves, which improves flexibility in muscles, nerves, joints and ligaments.

• ✴ Magnesium has been known to lessen menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression, and water retention (in combination with calcium and Vitamin B6).

• ✴ More than 80% of the population is magnesium deficient. Depression, adrenal exhaustion, anxiety, fatigue, anorexia, difficulty with menses, insomnia, muscle tremors, twitching, hyperactive nervous system, scatter and erratic personality are all signs of magnesium deficiency. Studies found that a decreased  quantity of magnesium is found in the heart and blood of heart attack victims.

• ✴ Magnesium deficiency increases with the use of alcohol and caffeine, excess of sugar, use of birth control pills and diuretics.

• ✴ Stress increases the excretion of magnesium and this depletion will make the heart more sensitive to electrical abnormalities, which may lead to heart problems.

• ✴ The brain has very high concentrations of magnesium. This element is extremely important for the efficient function and production of neurotransmitters.

• ✴ Magnesium is a natural tranquilizer, relaxing skeletal muscles and blood vessels. While calcium contracts muscles, magnesium relaxes them.

• ✴ It activates cell growth, improves tissue elasticity, and relaxes the nervous system.

• ✴ The Pituitary gland (known as the master gland) uses it to regulate adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid function.

• ✴ Magnesium activates metabolic enzymes important for protein and carbohydrates, and it is needed in DNA synthesis and function.

• ✴ Modulates electrical potential of cell membranes, which allows nutrients to pass back and forth through the cell.

• ✴ Transports a key phosphate molecule to ATP (an energy source), which releases energy.

• ✴ Magnesium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It may influence the release and activity of insulin, the hormone that helps control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Low blood levels of magnesium (hypomagnesemia) are frequently seen in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

• ✴ Evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency may be an additional risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis. This may be due to the fact that magnesium deficiency alters calcium metabolism and the hormones that regulate calcium.

• ✴ Magnesium is thought to prevent excitotoxicity because of its ability to sit at the entrance (like a little club bouncer/cellular bodyguard) to nerve cell calcium channels and help prevent over stimulation of the cells due to calcium flooding.

• ✴ In the body, magnesium works closely with calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorous.

• ✴ Certain emotions such as hate, jealousy, resentment, bitterness, hostility and greed tend to create a magnesium deficiency.

• ✴ 85% of magnesium is lost with the refining and processing of foods (milling of flours). Soaking and boiling foods can also leach magnesium into the water. When boiling produce, be sure to use the water as a broth/soup, as you will have a batch of minerals in the remaining water.

Sources of magnesium: The best way to obtain magnesium is through unprocessed whole foods from the vegetable kingdom. Magnesium is a core component of chlorophyll and makes it a very important mineral for plant photosynthesis. Chlorophyll gives plants their green pigmentation. Dark green algaes and leafs such as chlorella and spinach are great sources of magnesium because of their high chlorophyll content. Foods high in magnesium are frequently high in potassium and dietary fiber as well. Most nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews), seeds and legumes contain high amounts of magnesium. Other high magnesium foods include apples, organic soy, apricots, avocados, beet tops, berries, black walnuts, Brazil nuts, cabbage, coconuts, comfrey leaves, figs, dulse (red algae), dark green leafs (kale, chard, collard), walnuts, and watercress. Also, whole grains such as millet and brown rice.

Remember to look at minerals and nutrients in general as the amazing and loyal employees of your personal enterprise, all working synergistically as a team  to make your human machine (physical body) thrive. Minerals work in concert with other nutrients, which is why it is crucial to get them from whole food sources, where they are paired with their “buddy” nutrients – other minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients that help in absorption and activation of the mineral. It is never one thing that solves or creates problems, it’s a combination of many. We are mind, body, spirit and must address our imbalances on all levels – holistically.

Additional sources: Spiritual Nutrition by Gabriel Cousens, M.D., Staying Healthy with Nutrition  by Elson Hass, M.D., Oregon State University, NIH (National Institutes of Health).

At some point in history a distorted idea came about: the concept of cow’s milk for human consumption. It’s a very silly thing to observe that the human species is the only mammal that drinks another mammal’s milk. Why? Ignorance, media brainwashing, billion dollar industry, because your parents told you and their parents told them., etc… Here at HLife, we encourage and empower individuals to question and research the what, when, why, how, and where of things, especially when it comes down to two very important questions: Does my body need this? and What does my body – or do my cells – actually need?

The confusion of drinking acid-promoting cow’s milk is still around due to the heavy misleading information from the milk industry, stating that people need cow’s milk for bone health. But the truth is that cow’s milk has too much protein for the human body (have you seen cow’s bones?) and it actually leaches calcium out of our bones. Our blood is very alkaline and it needs to stay that way. When the body ingests too much protein, it acidifies the blood therefore needing to leach  the alkaline mineral calcium out of our bones in order to balance the acid in our blood  and maintain the slightly alkaline pH of blood. You heard it, cow’s milk actually increases your risk of osteoporosis (all of this is not new – Dr. T Colin Campbell, nutrition expert, discusses this in our interview with him, as well as all of the issues with cow’s milk in his best-selling book, The China Study). Also, milk is usually pasteurized in order to kill bacteria, but this process also kills the enzymes that help breakdown the gigantic amount of protein in the substance. The human body doesn’t need the amount of protein cow’s milk contains. Are we calves? No. Do we need to build massive cow bones?  NO. You like milk?  The replacement and solution to the distortion is right here: NUT MILK.  Nut milks are super easy and quick to make; they are also high in minerals, good fats and enough digestible protein for a human’s body not to get acidified by an excess of protein but to get the nourishment and healthy amount of amino acids it needs. Want more calcium?  Eat your dark greens, hijiki, broccoli and sesame seeds. And now, we’d like to welcome you to liquid mineral heaven:

Prep: Soak the nuts in separate bowls for 4 hours. Rinse with filtered water and put them in a blender.  Add the water and blend at high speed for about 2 minutes. Over a large mixing bowl set your nut milk bag or cheese cloth and pour the blender mixture slowly. Once it is all poured into the nut milk bag or cloth, squeeze the rest of the liquid out with your hand (this is the real milking process, right in your kitchen). Rinse your blender with filtered water and pour the nut milk back into it. Add other ingredients, blend and serve.  If you want chocolate milk add 1 teaspoon of organic raw cacao powder. (I don’t even want to tell you what cow’s chocolate milk is made of…nasty.)

Nut milk usually keeps for about 3 days, forcing you to drink it fresh (as it should be).  When I buy bottled water, it’s usually in a glass bottle; I keep the bottles and when I have leftover nut milk I pour it into the large glass bottles and it goes in the fridge. Always give it a shake before you drink it.

Also, when I make fresh nut milk in the morning, I usually don’t add any ingredients to it because I use it for my morning ultimate smoothie. But if I’m going to have it in the fridge for a period of three days, I do add the lecithin in order to keep it fresh and not coagulated. Usually, I don’t add any natural sweetener because it tastes so great on its own that I don’t think it needs any, and that’s why I say it’s optional. Experiment in your kitchen and come up with the perfect nut milk recipe for you and your family. Creativity and finding the right balance of tastes that suit you best are part of meal-making.

Note: I usually soak my nuts the day before, rinse them and store them in glass jars for the next morning.  When I wake up, I make fresh, tasty and nutritious nut milk super quickly.

Nutritional Info: For this milk, we used two nuts: almonds and Brazil nuts. This combination is what I like to call “mineral heaven”. In HLife, there is always a nutritional reason for pairing certain foods. Almonds are the only alkaline nut, extremely high in manganese (aids in calcium absorption) and heart disease-reducing Vitamin E. Almonds are also rich in magnesium, which lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.  It also contains the important electrolyte mineral potassium, involved in nerve transmission, maintaining normal blood pressure and proper heart function. Almond is antioxidant heaven, providing the body with about 20 potent antioxidant flavonoids to keep you young and glowing. It is also a monounsaturated fat, which the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders suggest helps you lose weight. Brazil nuts are outrageously loaded with the immune-boosting mineral selenium, which most diets lack. The vital antioxidant glutathione is only made by the body and its synthesis depends on how much selenium is available. According to the National Institutes of Health: “selenium deficiency may contribute to development of a form of heart disease, hypothyroidism, and a weakened immune system.”  Selenium has been known to be crucial for fertility in both men and women and is also needed for thyroid function.  A powerful detoxifier, selenium removes heavy metals and has protective effects against aging and disease. Besides containing other essential minerals, Brazil nuts are also extremely high in amino acids.

Food Recycling: Save the nut meat after you squeezed the bejesus out of it, and come up with a veggie mix combo to make raw patties/burgers, like we did with the Raw Yam Nut Burger.  Then put them in the dehydrator for a few hours, and voila!! You got tasty, healthy and protein-packed nutty burgers!

There are so many different ways of verbally glorifying bee pollen because its just that holistically amazing. It’s a complete food famous since ancient times due to its nutritional properties and medicinal benefits. Throughout centuries, bee pollen has been referred to  via  a variety of names, among these “the semen of the plant kingdom,” “the original treasure house of nutrition and medicine,” “the ultimate superfood,” and “the proactive life force of the plant world.” My family and I like to refer to bee pollen as “the real gold nuggets.” In Spanish we called them “las pepitas de oro” (seeds of gold).

History: The Bible, the Talmund, the Torah, and the Koran, along with the scrolls of the Orient, the writings of Ancient Greece and Rome, and the legends of the Russian and Slavic people, all praise the many nutrients provided by the hard work of the bee as well as the species’ industrious  characteristics. Bee’s nectar is mentioned 68 times in the Bible. The book of the Hindu people, the Rig-Veda, written in Sanskrit before  2000 BC, demonstrates a high admiration for bees. Vishnu, the powerful Preserver and Protector of the Hindu trinity of gods, is often depicted as a blue bee on a lotus flower. In cultures that worshiped a goddess of fertility, (Venus, Diana, Ceres, Cybele, or Iris,) bees were considered sacred and were minor deities in their own right.  No other living creature, other than man, has been held in such high regard by so many diverse cultures.

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, believed that bee pollen contributed to longevity, and it looks like he may have been correct. Most of the modern Methuselahs who live in dry, desert-like climates like the one in Georgia (formerly the Soviet Union) are beekeepers, whose main daily nourishment consists of raw, unprocessed honey with bee pollen. “All of the 200 or more people past 125 years of age in Georgia, without exception, state that their principal food is pollen and honey – mostly pollen,” said Professor Nicolai Vasilievich Tsitsin, a biologist and experimental botanist at the Longevity Institute. Naum Petrovich Joirich, M.D., chief scientist at the Longevity Academy in Vladivostak, concurred: “long lives are attained by bee pollen users.”

Description: Bee pollen takes the shape of small granules that look like various shades of tiny yellow, orange and brown balls, that are soft and compacted.  To me, they look like drops of yellow gold. One pollen granule contains from 100,000 to five million pollen spores, each capable of reproducing its entire species. Bee’s gather the pollen (carrying it in their legs, as is depicted in the picture below), mix it with their own digestive enzymes, then form them into granules. The taste depends on the trees located in the area where the pollen was gathered, flowers they collect pollen from, and the environment (type of ecosystem, pollution, organic farm, natural habitat).  Bee pollen captures the essence of every plant that the bee collects its pollen from. Sometimes it is sweet and sometimes it is not.  My favorite is Viva Pura’s Australian Jarrah Bee Pollen, which is ethically wild crafted from a one million acre preserve. This bee pollen has been biologically and energetically tested by Gabriel Cousens, M.D., Director of the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, and discovered to be highly vibratory, full of life force energy – higher than any other food ever tested. Literally, it is the best bee pollen I have tasted, and it is my own version of candy.

Nutritional info: Bee Pollen contains all of the nutrients needed to sustain life. In fact, studies have shown that generations of mice have lived on bee pollen exclusively, with no signs of malnourishment.  Bee pollen is the perfect food for the human body, as it contains all the nutrients the body needs, and that’s why we call it a perfect food.

• ☀ Loaded with protein in amino acid form, so it is easily digestible and won’t putrefy in your intestines. Contains all essential amino acids, about 20-25% complete protein (some say up to 40%) with most containing at least 18 amino acids. It has five to seven times more protein than meat, eggs, or cheese and it is easily absorbed by the body: Clinical tests have shown that within two hours of ingestion, bee pollen is found in the blood, cerebral spinal fluids, and in the urine.

• ☀ A varied and high mineral content, with minerals such as calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, as well as trace minerals such as iodine, silicon, boron, and sulfur. Minerals are needed for the intra and extracellular communication that emanates from DNA and for its repair.  Health and disease can both be traced back to either an adequate amount or a lack of minerals.

• ☀ Contains about 5,000 enzymes, co-enzymes, carbohydrates and essential fatty acids (alpha-linolenic and linolenic). Enzymes are necessary in the body for digestive and immune functions and the ones present in pollen are especially important for a balanced chemical metabolism – which makes it a great food for weight management.

• ☀ Helps to support the immune system.  In a study of 25 women suffering from inoperable uterine cancer,  the ones given bee pollen in their food quickly showed higher concentrations of cancer-fighting immune system cells, increased antibody production, and a improved level of infection-fighting and oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

• ☀ High in Vitamins A, E C, K, and almost all B’s including vitamin B12 (one of the few vegan sources of B12) and folic acid. Folic Acid is important for the synthesis of DNA and RNA as well as required for the metabolism of amino acids.

• ☀ Contains flavonoids that have significant antioxidant properties such as Luteolin, an agent in the prevention of inflammation, a promoter of carbohydrate metabolism, and an immune system modulator. Also, Quercetin, which acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, and may help protect against heart disease and cancer. Tricetin and myricetin  are present too, and they are anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and promote heart and brain health. Antioxidants destroy the free radicals formed as a result of metabolism, which can potentially damage cells.

• ☀ Essential for mental health. Contains 15-20 % lecithin, which is the form of phosphorous for the brain, which we burn every time we think and need to replenish daily.

• ☀ It is high in nucleic acid (The NA in DNA and RNA), whose main function is to store and transmit genetic information and use that information to direct the synthesis of new protein. It’s the short-term energy storage for all life processes and plays an essential role in providing energy.

• ☀ The ultimate biogenic food. Dr. Eric Erickson from the university of Wisconsin found in his research that bees have a slight negative or neutral charge and when they come back to the hive they have a charge as high as 1.5 volts, same as their bee pollen. In other words ,pollen causes a positive electric charge.

• ☀ It’s been know to rejuvenate, stimulate organs and glands, rebuild the body after illnesses and improve physical performance.

• ☀ Helps the body normalize from diarrhea and constipation and reduce upper respiratory infections

• ☀ Protects red and white blood cells from radiation and increases blood hemoglobin.

• ☀ Detoxifies by flushing out artery-clogging biochemical deposits.

• ☀ Protects the skin against dehydration and stimulates its growth.

• ☀ Research has shown that bee pollen contains a substance that inhibits the development of numerous harmful bacteria, including E. Coli.

• ☀  Bee pollen stimulates metabolism and curbs the appetite due to its Phenylalanine content, one of the essential amino acids and also a powerful antioxidant.

Preparation: Simple – I put it in my morning smoothie every day.  Also, can be mixed with water, nut milk and cereal, eaten by itself or sprinkled in salads.

NOTE: Some people may be allergic to bee pollen and as little as 1 teaspoon can trigger serious reaction. People with pollen allergies should refrain from ingesting bee pollen.

Sources: http://www.draperbee.com/info/beepollen.htm, http://www.ebeehoney.com/beepollenbenefit.html, Spiritual Nutrition by Gabriel Cousens M.D., Healthy Healing by Linda Page, http://www.indianchild.com/bees.htm, http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:qVQg4Nn-R58J:www.angelfire.com/clone2/nucleic_acids/functions.htm+nucleic+acid+function&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a,

Memory: Scientists are reporting the first evidence from human research that blueberries – one of the richest sources of healthful antioxidants and other phytochemicals – improve memory. previous studies in laboratory animals suggest that eating blueberries may help boost memory in the aged, but until now there had been little scientific work aimed at testing the effect of blueberries on memory in people. The research, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that participants who drank blueberry juice showed significant improvement on learning and memory tests. “These findings are encouraging and suggest that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration,” said the authors of the report.

Probiotics: Bacteria that produce compounds to reduce inflammation could be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The research published in the February issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology explains that probiotic microbes could be the most successful treatment to date for IBD, a disease in which there is inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract followed by severe diarrhea and abdominal pain, and is also related to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is known to be the result of an overactive immune response linked to an imbalance of the normal types of bacteria found in the gut. The study has identified two strains of bacteria, Faecalibacterium prausnitzil and Butricicoccus pullicaecorum, that have been shown to help treat the symptoms of IBD.

Perception: We think we see thinks as they are. But according to a study published in the journal Psychological Science, it is desire that may influence how we see our surroundings. The research carried out by scientists from New York University and Cornell University involved participants estimating how far a water bottle was from where they were sitting. Half of the volunteers drank water before the experiment while the other half ate salty pretzels that made them thirsty. The results showed that the thirsty volunteers estimated the water bottles being closer to them than the volunteers who had drank water before. These findings indicate that when we want something, we actually view it as being physically close to us. The authors explained that “these biases arise in order to encourage perceivers to engage in behaviors leading to the acquisition of the object.” In other words, if you want it bad, your mind will help pump you up about getting it. “So close, I can taste it!”

Parenting: Caring for children may include daily difficulties but now it looks like there is one particular health benefit of parenting – for mom. A study to be published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that parenthood is associated with lower blood pressure, particularly among women. “Deriving a sense of meaning and purpose from life’s stress has been shown to be associated with better health outcomes,” says study author Julianne Holt-Lunstad. This doesn’t mean the more kids you have the better your blood-pressure – the findings are simply tied to parenthood regardless of how many kids you have. For those who don’t have children: Exercise and a low-sodium diet will also help lower blood-pressure.

Bones: The role of Vitamin D in bone health has finally been determined. A large study that involved patients from the United States and Europe found that taking both Vitamin D and calcium supplements on a daily basis reduces the risk of bone fractures, regardless of whether a person is young or old, male or female, or has had fractures in the past. “This study supports a growing consensus that combined calcium and Vitamin D is more effective than Vitamin D alone in reducing a variety of fractures”, said John Robbins, co-author of the article which appears in the British Medical Journal. While dosage is yet to be determined, there are natural ways to get Vitamin D (15 minutes out in the sun on a daily basis will do the trick) and calcium (eating a good amount of green leafy vegetables like Kale and algaes like hijiki) without a prescription.

Alternative: In the largest national survey of its kind, researchers from UCLA and UC San Diego measured medical students’ attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and found that three-quarters of them felt conventional Western medicine would benefit by integrating more CAM therapies and ideas. CAM, which includes therapies such as massage, yoga, herbal medicine and acupuncture,is characterized by a holistic and highly individualized approach to patient care, with an emphasis on maximizing the body’s inherent healing ability, getting patients involved in their own care, and focusing on physical, mental and spiritual attributes of a disease as well as preventative care. “Integrating CAM into mainstream health care is now a global phenomenon, with policy makers at the highest levels endorsing the importance of a historically marginalized form of health care”, said study author Ryan Abbot. The findings were published in the online issue of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM).

Chlorella, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.  Seriously… totally in love, with this green algae.  Chlorella is a truly amazing natural superfood – whole, pure, and complete. I have to say it again and shout out to the world: I AM IN LOVE, IN LOVE, IN LOVE…”Chlorella, you had me at richest-source-of-chlorophyll-of-any-other-plant-on-the-planet-and-available-for-human-consumption.”

History: In an amazing feat of order and organization, chlorella was the first form of life with a true nucleus. Its name comes from the Greek words chloros meaning “green” and ella meaning “small”. With plenty of sunlight and fertile growing conditions, chlorella reproduces itself by cell division at the rate of four new cells every 17-24 hours. During approximately the first billion years of the Earth’s existence, its atmosphere was heavy with deadly gases, such as ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide. It became the role of green plant life like chlorella to filter these deadly elements and slowly change the Earth’s inhabitable environment to one capable of supporting flora (plants) and fauna (animals). It was discovered in the late 19th century, but chlorella has been on this planet since the Precambrian period (over 2.5 billion years). It was not until the 1890s, however, that chlorella cells were identified by human eyes under a microscope. It was first grown in Holland in pure form in the late 1800s. Due to its high protein concentration in amino acid form (best source of absorbable protein) and rapid growth rate, chlorella was investigated after World War II as a possible commercial food source. In 1948, a pilot study at Stanford Research Institute succeeded in growing chlorella; unfortunately, it was interrupted due to financial problems. In the 1950s, the Carnegie Institute took over the study and scientists there concluded two things: That chlorella could be grown on a commercial scale, and that it could be a solution to help world hunger.

Description/Flavor: Chlorella is a single-celled freshwater algae. These algae are the richest source of chlorophyll of any other plant on the planet available for humans to consume. Chlorophyll, the chemical that gives plants their green color and is an essential compound for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light into chemical energy. Because it comes from fresh water, its taste is mild and pleasing. It’s like momma bear’s soup: not sour, not sweet, not cold, not hot – just right! So, just drink it.

Nutritional info: Where do we even begin?  This fresh water algae provides complete protein in amino acid form (ready to be absorbed by the body,) carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, active enzymes, fiber, natural key vitamins and antioxidants, including Vitamin C, pro-Vitamin A (beta-carotene), chlorophyll, lutein, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, Vitamin B12, biotin, choline, lipoic acid, and inositol; minerals/trace minerals, including phosphorus, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron; and polysaccharides and other phytonutrients to optimize health and well-being.  Do we need to continue? No, but we will. Chlorella contains more “feel-good” Vitamin B12 than beef liver, has 50-60% absorbable protein in amino acid form, all the essential amino acids (including a high content of hard-to-find lysine,) and all the complex chemical compounds necessary for the protoplasm of life! It also contains the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), a nucleotide-peptide complex of substances found only in chlorella and produced by the plant during the intense photosynthesis that enables chlorella to grow so quickly.  CGF actually gives the chlorella cell the ability to quadruple itself every 20 to 24 hours, which explains why this amazing algae has been on planet Earth for over 540 million years. IT’S A SUPERFOOD!!!!!!!!

What does chlorella mean for my health?

• ✶ Highest content of high quality protein (58%) already in amino acid form. Twice as much protein then beef (25%)!  Hello!!!

• ✶ The powerful CGF may help to enhance your body’s natural defense system activity and to remove the multitude of impurities in your body, as well as renew cellular strength and integrity.

• ✶ Multiplies the T-cells (your internal micro army) in your immune system, due to the amazing CGF.

• ✶ Chlorella makes friendly bacteria grow 4 times faster than any other food (see our post Probiotics: Good Bacteria We Want To Have.)

• ✶ The cell wall material of chlorella is beneficial for intestinal and bowel health, detoxifying the colon and promoting friendly bacteria.

• ✶ Eliminates heavy metals like lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium. Some studies show that chlorella binds to harmful pesticides and insecticides like PCBs and DDT (linked to breast cancer,) and carries them out of the body.

• ✶ Strengthens the liver, your body’s mayor detoxifying organ, to rid you of infective agents.

• ✶ Reduces arthritis stiffness,

• ✶ Relieves indigestion, hiatal hernia, gastritis, ulcers, and improves digestion.

• ✶ Decreases menopausal complaints by assisting with estrogen production in the body.

• ✶ Effective in weight-loss programs with its cleansing ability and rich nutrition that keeps the energy up and maintains muscle mass.

• ✶ Test published in the journal Ethnopharmacology showed chlorella preventing cancer in 80% of lab animals tested.

• ✶ In test at the Medical College of Virginia, chlorella was given to twenty human patients with advanced form of conventionally incurable brain cancer.  Two years after the treatment, seven of the patients were still alive, with no traces of cancer in their body.

• ✶ Chlorella can promote cell reproduction, reduce cholesterol and increase hemoglobin levels.

Application: We’ve been using it in granules for a long time, from the brand Sun Chlorella. We like this brand because its chlorella is already pulverized, with the cell wall broken, for easy digestion and absorbability. Sun Chlorella’s cell wall pulverization technology is an ideal physical method in accordance with natural law, not using any chemicals, enzymes, or heat.  The digestibility of the chlorella in Sun Chlorella improves dramatically, reaching over 80% absorption and achieving 95%-99% pulverized cell wall, allowing maximum digestibility of its exceptional nutrients and its purifying cell wall.  We put one pack (3 grams of chlorella) in a 8 oz glass of water 30 minutes before breakfast in the morning.  Or we will drink it 30 minutes before going to bed.  When we sleep, our body regenerates its cells, so it’s a perfect time for chlorella to come in and work its magic.

Fall in love with chlorella… obviously, we have.

Sources: American Cancer Society , chlorella-europe.com, Healthy Healing by Linda Page, http://tuberose.com/Chlorella.html, sunchlorellausa.com

When we look in the mirror, we see one body. But in order to understand that body and take responsibility for its health, we need to start seeing the body as the “shell”, hosting billions of individual bodies in the form of cells. When we talk about nutrition, we are talking about nutrition for the cells.  They are the main focus here.  You are responsible for taking care of your cells, and if you do so, your cells will also take care of you.  This…is love.

Every cell in your body needs to be nourished.  Some say (and I agree) that each cell has consciousness.  If this is true, then we must be the gods to our cells, the caretaker that oversees the well-being of each individual consciousness in its Universe.  If this is the case, then by the Principle of Correspondence (see post “Universal Laws”) each one of us must be a cell in an even bigger body that we call God.  That’s why the word or symbol of God is omnipresent – it’s everywhere literally because we are everywhere, and we are a part of It. You are also a god to your cells, because they are a part of you.  It is important to talk about cells when we are learning about and aiming at better understanding minerals.  Here’s why:

• – Minerals are the basis of all the organ and cellular structures of the body.

• – The body depletes minerals daily, especially when under stress, therefore, minerals need to be replaced frequently.

• - In order for a mineral to be used or even enter a cell, it must be in angstrom size – which is 0.001 of a micron – and be completely water soluble.

• - Only the Vegetable Kingdom is designed to break down soil and utilize and absorb angstrom-sized mineral particles, which is why vegetables are designed to feed human bodies.

• - Angstrom-size minerals act as building blocks for more than 6,000 different enzymes (amino acids, which equal protein) needed for optimal function in our bodies.

• - Angstrom-size particles travel through the cells.

• - It’s in the cell that all the mineral action happens.

The key to understanding life is in our micro-universe.  Our interest in a global view needs to expand into the molecular world inside of us.  These ultra-tiny mineral particles are so powerful that when they enter the cells, they activate the primordial DNA.  They activate electromagnetic (frequency, vibration, energy) communication, both inside of the cell as well as outside of it, communication crucial for organizing the system and giving instructions about what activities need to be done.  We are talking minerals carrying frequency and vibrational communications that will manipulate our DNA.  Some people say, “How can one person make a difference?” Well, did Martin Luther King not make a difference?  Did Jesus Christ not make a difference (and set examples that last 2,000 years after his death?) Does the rhinovirus, even smaller than the thousands of bacteria that fit in the head of a pin, not make a difference to you when it gives you a cold? So, can a mineral in a cell make a difference? Well, if the angstrom-size particle is able to dictate cellular symphonies and the functions of organs, the answer is yes. Nature has all the answers, we just have to observe, question, analyze, research and connect to our own internal source.  We agree with Dr. William Albercht, one of the nation’s leading soil scientists, who said, “We need to mimic Nature in our work, not think that we are smarter than Nature.”  This is one of the main reasons that we need to buy and eat organic foods.  Conventional soils are so depleted of minerals that eating their fruit defeats the purpose of eating, plus, the liver needs to work overtime to get rid of the pesticides and herbicides used in conventional farming. On the other hand, organic soils are rich in minerals, which translates into mineral-dense plants, and those who eat these highly mineralized plants will be healthier individuals.  Here, we can apply the Principle of Cause and Effect.  There is a consequence in every choice we make, and it is up to us to determine if we want a positive effect, or a negative one.  That is why knowledge is so important, as is delving deep into our micro-universe, understanding the way things work, and taking full responsibility for our lives.

Minerals don’t just come from land plants.  Sea plants also exist, and they are so powerful that we call them Superfoods.  They are so mineral-dense and they also have tons of protein in the ready-to-be-absorbed amino acid form, and other amazing components.  Minerals are, indeed, frequencies of light, and they communicate in electromagnetic waves.  Each mineral has a vibratory rate that supports different aspects of consciousness and spiritual awareness. Each also has a particular chemical personality and function that, through its vibration, activates the life function of tissues, cells, and organs in a particular way.  In subsequent posts, we will be featuring individual minerals and exploring in detail the properties of some of these wonderful nutrients.  We will know them so well, they will feel like friends to you.  They are sure friends of us, here at HLife.

Source: “Spiritual Nutrition” by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.

When it comes to nourishing your body with the correct essential nutrients, minerals deserve the spotlight. We believe minerals to be crucial for the balance of the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Minerals are frequencies of light, information, and creation for the material world. The Earth and our bodies are both made of minerals. When we are in a fetal stage, minerals are necessary in order to solidify the matter we later call our body. Minerals are the builders of systems; they are the foundation of all organ and cellular structures of the body. There are about 16 major minerals and seven trace minerals, and without them, we could not survive. Now more then ever, our soil has become increasingly mineral-deficient, due to all the pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed in the crops and lack of crop rotation and diversity. From junk foods to microwaved foods and genetically modified crops, much of the food that is consumed has very little minerals or no minerals at all. If minerals are essential for our growth and function, then the situation is critical. Dr. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel Prize winner, said: “You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment, ultimately, to a mineral deficiency.” When studying, analyzing, and understanding each minerals function, behavior, and composition, one can comprehend exactly the weight of Dr. Linus Pauling’s words.

Right away, all these questions come to mind, questions that deserve answers, such as: Why don’t we know more about minerals and health? Who and what exactly are these minerals? What do they do and where can I get them?? Or, like Natalie Portman said on Top Chef, “who is his dealer and does he want more clients?” Here at HLife, we will do our best to provide answers to these questions, this stuff that, quite frankly, should be a curriculum requirement in all elementary schools in the world.

Let’s have a basic mineral talk, tell it like it is…Minerals 101. First of all, in order for the body to use a mineral, the mineral has to be in an angstrom-size (so infinitesimally small that it is measured in angstroms, way smaller than microns) and these particles have to be completely water-soluble. So, basically only in this minute, tinier than mega-tiny size can a mineral enter the cells and activate the proper DNA structures to cause the guiding frequencies for the function of the body. Here is the thing: Most mineral supplements on the market are in micron sizes…much bigger than angstroms. Micron particles can be absorbed by the blood, but are too large to be absorbed by the cell and the nucleus. Angstrom-sized particles travel into and through the cells…that’s their peeps.

Question: How do we get angstrom-size minerals and from where? ☞ DING DING DING>> (here is the best part ever): Plants, The Vegetable Kingdom. The roots of plants are designed to absorb mineral particles from the soil and break them down to an angstrom-size. They were made to do that! Then, we eat those vegetables and they transfer their already angstrom-size minerals into us, ready for absorption. This is a clear example that the human machine was made to nourish its body with the vegetable kingdom. It makes so much sense. Of course, if the point is to ingest minerals, you must buy organic or wild harvest, because conventional produce comes from mineral-deficient soil. Let us also remember the amazing sea vegetables/sea algaes, which contain rich minerals from sea water. The picture above is that of pink Himalayan salt, which contains minerals in ionic angstrom-size. Celtic sea salt is also in ionic angstrom-size, but table salt (straight sodium chloride) is not, and it can cause a toxic build-up in the body.

Next week, in Part 2 of this post, we will continue learning more vital information about minerals.

Source: Spiritual Nutrition by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.

Phosphorous has been called “the illumination mineral”. Its name comes from the Greek word ‘fosfóros’, which means “the bearer of light” (fos “light” + pherí  “to bear, to carry”.). In his book “Spiritual Nutrition”, Gabriel Cousins, M.D states that, throughout history, phosphorous has been seen as the mineral that helps link the soul with matter. This is because phosphorous is necessary for neurological activity.  Every time we have a thought we burn up phosphorous. However, for the brain to properly absorb phosphorous, it needs to be in the form of LECITHIN, which is different than the phosphorous that we need for building bones, another of its tasks.

How much thinking do you do? People who do a lot of memorizing, studying, intellectual functioning, visualizing, mental work, office work, scientists and pregnant woman need a higher level of phosphorous in their diet. Since we usually think many thoughts per minute, burning phosphorous by the second, one thing is for sure: We have to replenish!!

We must replenish our minerals daily, especially those that are required for cell nutrition, which is the case of phosphorous. As an essential mineral for spiritual life, it is said to have to do with psychic perceptions, idealistic tendencies, humanitarianism and philanthropy.

The best source of any nutrient is real food and phosphorous is no exception. The human body, so smart and intuitive, prefers natural vitamins and minerals as opposed to synthetic. For example, according to Lester Packer, PH.D. , Director of the Packer Lab at the University of California at Berkeley, who is regarded as the world’s foremost antioxidant research scientist, synthetic vitamin E is a petroleum-based product that does not function or look like natural vitamin E.  Who wants to ingest petroleum? Apparently, all the people that consume conventionally grown corn do.

Two vegan foods that are high in phosphorous/lecithin are organic soy lecithin and bee pollen. Bee pollen has 15%-20% lecithin and is a nutrient-dense superfood, loaded with vitamins, almost all known minerals, enzymes, trace elements and amino acids. I personally add 2 tablespoons of organic soy lecithin and two tablespoons of organic bee pollen to my morning smoothie ‘cause I burn that phosphorous all day long!

Minerals are so vital to our life – our bodies are made out of minerals and a deficiency can create a serious imbalance. Minerals are frequencies of light and information; the basis of all the organs and cellular structures in the body. We will be posting information about each mineral, one at a time, and in small quantities so everyone can process, digest and assimilate the information and familiarize his or herself with them. Achieving balance and health in all aspects of our being, and our lives, is our conscious responsibility. We are all, we are ONE.