Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Is Your Brain Starving?

Do phrases such as "brain fog" and "senior moments" resonate with you? Do you have trouble focusing, making decisions, or staying mentally alert? If so, then your brain may be literally starving-for nutrients as well as oxygen.

Did You Know That Feeding Your Brain is No Simple Matter?
Your brain is one of the "hungriest" organs in the body, demanding more fuel than other organs. At the same time, the brain is protected behind the "blood brain barrier," a layer of cells that keeps all but the smallest molecules from reaching the brain. So feeding your brain requires care.

How to Feed Your Brain
Feeding the brain is no simple matter. The blood brain barrier allows only small micronutrients and fat-soluble molecules to pass, yet the brain requires huge quantities of the nutrients and molecules. A hungry brain results in decreased mental alertness as well as affected mood. To feed the brain, you need to focus on specific foods that nourish the brain and can pass through the blood brain barrier.

One of the best ways to feed your brain is to get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that Americans get far too few of these fatty acids that the brain (made up of 60% fat) needs. In addition, other brain-healthy nutrients include:
  • ALA (alpha lineoleic acid)
  • B vitamins
  • antioxidants
  • protein (raises levels of mood-boosting neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine)
  • plus many more...

If figuring out how to get some or all of the above nutrients seems too complicated for you, check out this simple recipe for brain food supplementation:

Food for Thought Program
Consider this formula if your lifestyle involves a lot of thinking.
1-2 capsules AFA blue-green algae a.m. or noon
1-2 capsules AFA blue-green algae (no cell wall) a.m. and/or noon
1-2 capsules acidophilus (probiotic)a.m.
1-2 capsules bifidus (probiotic) p.m.
1 gelcap coenzyme Q10 a.m.

Gabriel Cousens, M.D. on AFA Blue-Green Algae
Gabriel Cousens, MD, published two case studies on the use of AFA blue-green algae in the improvement of Alzheimer's disease. He reported "some significant return of function" such as decreased hand tremors, better balance, and improved short term memory, attention span, judgment, and reasoning"

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Image courtesy of dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Good Food for Skin and How to Avoid Wearing Food on Your Face!

Diet and good food for skin is important when it comes to having healthy, younger looking skin. Creams, lotions and beauty products of all kinds are popular ways that people take care of their skin, but skin has the added advantage of being able to be affected by what we put in our bodies', not just what we put on them. Our skin health reflects our overall general health and many doctors can tell how healthy you eat just by looking at the condition of your skin. If you are going to "wear your food on your face" so to speak, then adding a few of these good food for skin ideas to your diet can make sure what's seen on your face reflects well on you.

Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains can improve the texture and tone of your skin, protect skin from sun damage, hydrate your skin and reduce wrinkles. Here are some foods that are particularly good food for skin.

Antioxidant Foods
Antioxidants prevent oxidative damage to skin cells done by free radicals that cause skin to show signs of aging and help boost the immune system. Antioxidants that are especially good for skin include beta-carotene which the body converts to vitamin A, vitamin C and E. Foods high in antioxidants include:
  • Fresh and dried fruits, especially berries
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Sprouted greens
  • Kale
  • Nuts
  • Green tea
  • Kiwi
  • Sweet Potatoes
Studies have shown that eating foods high in the antioxidants vitamin C and E can help protect skin from UV damage and those foods particularly high in vitamin C can help fight dry skin and wrinkles. Another vegetable that is a good food for skin health is the tomato. Tomatoes contain lycopene which can also help protect skin from sun damage.

Are you one of those that has such a hectic schedule you just can't get all the fruits and veggies your body needs into your day? You might need to supplement your diet then with something like a supplement of wheat sprouts with algae. No excuse to not get your antioxidants now that you can grab this handy supplement when you are on the run.

Essential Fatty Acid Foods
The more elasticity your skin has the younger it looks. Foods rich in essential fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 help keep your skin elastic rather than saggy. For healthy looking skin you need to get 3 to 4 times more omega 3 fatty acids in your diet than omega 6 fatty acids. Most Americans eat diets that give them the reverse with as much as 10 to 20 times more omega 6 than omega 3. Foods that have the right balance of omega 3 and omega 6 include:
  • Fish such as wild salmon, sardines and tuna
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • AFA blue green algae
  • Seeds and nuts such as walnuts
  • Flax seeds and flax oil
  • Olive oil
Studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids help hydrate skin and help in reducing wrinkles. If your diet is lacking in omega 3's then the solution for you may be supplementing your diet with AFA blue-green algae, one of Earth's perfect foods for healthy skin as it has the exact ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Being on the run is no excuse not to get your essential fatty acids since blue green algae capsules or tablets are convenient and quick to pop in your mouth and swallow anywhere, anytime. 

The dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and swiss chard have the added bonus of possibly reducing skin cancer and those with vitamin K can help in prevention of varicose veins by strengthening blood vessels.

Probiotic Foods
Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that live in our guts and help in proper food digestion. But did you know they also play an important role in skin health? Studies have shown that adding foods rich in probiotics to the diet may reduce the incidence of eczema in children by 55% or more. Foods high in probiotics include:
  • Most fermented foods 
  • High quality yogurt (look for low-fat, low-sugar and Greek)
  • Kefir
Supplementing your diet with acidophilus and bifidus are another way to get the probiotics you need for healthy skin, immune system support, digestive support and overall general health. So if you are not wild about yogurt or fermented foods, you can still get the probiotic support you need. Yogurt though is one of the foods that can also be high in zinc which is needed for the formation of collagen. If yogurt is still just not for you then adding lean red meat, oysters, or white kidney beans to your diet can give you the zinc your skin needs.

Don't think just because you have neglected your skin health for most of your life that it is too late to start now. Healthy skin can start at any time, any age. Start adding as many of the good food for skin ideas we've listed and if you can't get them all in or can't get enough, then think like an astronaut and supplement your diet with healthy food in capsule form. You might not see results immediately, but give it some time and your face will start showing the improvement in what you're eating.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.