Superfoods for women (and men as well!)

These ten superfoods mentioned below have great implications for women’s health and arguably for men as well! These superfoods will help regain or strengthen your health.

Superfoods are quite simply nutrient dense and complex foods that deliver an exponential punch in comparison to foods often consumed on a daily basis. Utilising them consistently will dramatically alter your health.

Here are a few that can really accelerate healing your body, or simply fortify it:

Medicinal mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms are high in the super immune enhancing polysaccharides such as beta glucans. They are also one of the best adaptogenic herbs/super foods on the earth. Reishi mushroom (also known as Ganoderma), the “mushroom of immortality”, is an immune system nutrient that is suitable for nearly anyone to take, even children. Reishi is the most well studied herb in the history of the world. Reishi has antioxidant properties that protect the body from radiation and free radicals. It inhibits bacteria, viruses, treats tumors and its adaptogenic quality protects the body against stress. It also treats heart disease and high blood pressure.

Reishi is one of the best ‘all round’ food remedies you can take for healing, regeneration and energy. Its ability to balance and normalise bodily functions makes it a must for anyone who is serious about healing their body and taking their health to another level.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Good omega 3 fatty acids are one of those food remedies that are generally devoid in today’s world, and are required for proper brain function as well. Typically associated with fish intake, it has become more difficult to get a clean source due to mercury levels. However, there are other forms such as flax, hemp and chia that can help you avoid that issue if you are not comfortable with your source. Read labels and look for those who specifically indicate that they have gone through a purification process.

B-Vitamins

B-Vitamins are highly correlated with our ability to handle stress. B-12 gets used up in our body quickly just by the stresses and toxicity found in our environment on a daily basis.

As a population gorging ourselves on conventional grains we get plenty of the lower Bs (although, when not organic this is suspect), but we miss getting the very important B-12. A super food not on this list, but excellent in B-Vitamins including 12, is bee pollen which should be noted due to its dramatic healing properties.

Stress does deplete B-Vitamins, so it has become even more important to supplement in order to keep those levels at an appropriate range.

Maca

Maca is one of my favourite superfoods. It is adaptogenic, increases energy, endurance, strength and libido. Dried maca powder contains more than 10 per cent protein, nearly 20 amino acids, and 7 essential amino acids. It offers incredible hormone regulation from the top down, supporting the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid, and the adrenals. Maca is also rich in B Vitamins.

I consume maca regularly for its ability to help balance hormones, and it strength and energy giving properties. You may want to strongly consider this as one of your food remedies before, during, and after pregnancy.

Probiotics

Probiotics have become crucial to everyone’s health, including women. Since 80 per cent of people are dealing with an imbalance within their inner ecosystem, and 30 per cent have a severe issue, a quality source of probiotics is essential in order for proper healing in the body and maintain good health. This will lead to enhanced immunity as the beneficial bacteria in your body work as part of the immune system.

Astragulus

Astragalus has antioxidants that protects the cell against damage caused by free radicals and is used to protect and support the body’s immune system, including improving the power of the lungs. This is another great adaptogen, and typically can be found in superfood formulations.

Goji Berries

Goji berries are regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and potency food of the highest order. This superfood contains 18 kinds of amino acids, all 8 essential amino acids, up to 21 trace minerals, high amounts of antioxidants, iron, polysaccharides, B and E vitamins, and many other nutrients. They are very high in antioxidants, especially eyesight improving zeaxanthin.

They are very healing to the liver, and have a wide array of nutrients and minerals to help address deficiencies you are undoubtedly dealing with due to poor quality food supply and other environmental factors.

Cacao

Raw Expert David Wolf’s favourite superfood “cacao is the highest antioxidant food on the planet, the #1 source of magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese and is also extremely high in PEA. Cacao’s theobromine adds cardiovascular support. Raw chocolate balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, and elevates your mood”.

Cacao is a powerful super food, but has been bastardised and put into products that ruin its potency, like conventional chocolate bars. If you can find pure cacao, you will note that it tastes a bit more bitter, but if balanced with other ingredients correctly, you will find it is delicious and much better for you than the typical fare.

Cacao is great healing superfood as it elevates your mood, and creates happiness.

Aloe vera

The gel of raw aloe vera contains vitamins A, C, and E, the minerals sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and chromium, as well as antioxidants, fibre, amino acids, enzymes, sterols, lignans, and most importantly, polysaccharides. The polysaccharides in aloe vera have a particular lubricating effect on the joints, brain, nervous system and the skin. They also have immuno-modulating effects, allowing the body to fight back chronic viral, nanobacterial and fungal infections”

Aloe vera is one of those food remedies that are excellent for intestinal health. It is antibacterial and very healing to the intestinal lining, which is a major plus considering most people are living with an abundance of bad bacteria in their system, and an inflamed intestinal wall as a result of it. Quite simply, aloe vera is a must in your super foods list.

A Superfood Cocoa Drink Recipe

A simple drink that incorporates a few of these food remedies is a great way to start your morning:

3 tablespoons of Cacao
1 teaspoon of Maca
1/2 teaspoon of Reishi (Ganoderma)
1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon
6 large pitted dates (or your choice of natural sweetener)
4 oz of almond milk.
12 oz of hot water
1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

What is your favourite of these super foods? Have you tried them before? What would you most like to change about your health? Tell us below.