Archive: March 2021

Want a quick way to know what are the top ancient superfoods and their primary health giving action so you can know in an instance which ancient superfood to buy for you? Would you like this information backed by research? 

Product Links and Guarantee

I use and highly recommend the recommended supplement companies. I attach these links for ease in case you would like to buy these products. Please note these are affiliate links which provides a (very small) commission and helps support Ultimate Health Check to produce further health information. Thank you for any support. Guarantee: I would not recommend any companies if I did not believe in them and their products and/or use it myself and/or recommend it to my clients.

Top 9 Ancient Superfoods to Boost your Health

Top 9 Ancient Superfoods to Boost your Health: Cacao, Camu Camu, Chlorella, Collagen, Lucuma, Maca, Matcha, Moringa, Turmeric Click To Tweet

1. Cacao: FOOD OF THE GODS

Main benefit: Heart Health / Blood pressure

Incredibly high in antioxidants, as well as iron, magnesium and dietary fibre, cacao is good for the heart and can reduce blood pressure and lower bad cholesterol. It’s not the same as cocoa, which is processed and loses most of the health benefits that are found in raw cacao.

Research:

• Heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol are non-existent in this tribe: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835452/
• Reduced the risk of death from heart disease by 50%: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16505260/

Cacao: FOOD OF THE GODS: Heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol are non-existent in this tribe: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835452/ Click To Tweet

2. Camu Camu: PERUVIAN FRUIT

Main Benefit: Antioxidant / Vitamin C

A fruit that’s native to the Peruvian Amazon, Camu Camu is a potent source of vitamin C (one serving contains 1100 percent of your daily required dose, which is more than nine times the amount found in a medium orange).

Research:

• Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296744/
• Rich in powerful antioxidants (1600% of the daily recommended intake).
• Powerful anti-inflammatory: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296744/

Camu Camu: PERUVIAN FRUIT: Rich in powerful antioxidants (1600% of the daily recommended intake). Click To Tweet

3. Chlorella: GREEN ALGAE

Main Benefit: Nutrient Dense 

The green microalgae is rich in chlorophyll and beta-carotene—typically only available when eating a wide variety of fruits and veggies— as well as vitamin C, iron and protein. It’s typically used to promote better immune system function and manage blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Research:

• Complete protein – Contains all 9 essential amino acids / 40-60% protein: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032114002342
• Contains Iron and Vitamin C: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26561078/
• Showed markers of increased immune activity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22849818/
• May help lower cholesterol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11347287/
• Lower blood pressure readings than participants who took the placebo: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19811362/

Chlorella: GREEN ALGAE: Complete protein – Contains all 9 essential amino acids / 40-60% protein: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032114002342 Click To Tweet

4. Collagen: GLUE

Main benefits: Skin, Bone and Muscle Health

Improves skin hydration because collagen nourishes the dermis and increases the manufacture of hyaluronic acid, which can hold 1000x its weight in water. There are also benefits for joint health, cardiovascular function, bone-mineral density and overall well-being.

Research:

• Increased skin hydration and a significant reduction in wrinkle depth compared with a control group: https://www.jmnn.org/article.asp?issn=2278-1870;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=47;epage=53;aulast=Borumand
• Help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce joint pain overall: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17076983/, http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbgg/v19n1/1809-9823-rbgg-19-01-00153.pdf
• Gained significantly more muscle mass and strength: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594048/

Collagen: Increased skin hydration and a significant reduction in wrinkle depth compared with a control group: https://www.jmnn.org/article.asp?issn=2278-1870;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=47;epage=53;aulast=Borumand Click To Tweet

5. Lucuma: GOLD OF THE INCAS

Main Benefit: Sweetener 

Makes the perfect sweetener for smoothies, energy balls and desserts—especially for diabetics or those watching their blood sugar. It contains B vitamins, calcium and iron and is rich in antioxidants.

Research:

• 75% less sugar than the same amount of table sugar: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/ndb/
• Protect against diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and preventing blood sugar spikes after a meal or snack: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27863994/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18287346/
• Promote healthy blood sugar levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29628808/
• Blood-sugar-lowering mechanisms comparable to certain antidiabetic drugs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19459727/,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26212989/

Lucuma: GOLD OF THE INCAS: 75% less sugar than the same amount of table sugar: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/ndb/ Click To Tweet

6. Maca: PERUVIAN GINSENG

Main Benefits: Increase Fertility, Sex Drive and Energy

It is a really great adaptogen that helps the body with stamina and resiliency when combatting stress. Promote hormonal health, restore and heighten sexual desire and make you stronger.

Research:

• Improves sexual desire: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12472620/
• improved semen quality in both infertile and healthy men: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27621241/
• Alleviates menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and interrupted sleep: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21840656/
• Protect bone health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20616517/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19689071/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16466876/  
• Mood, energy levels, sickness has been proven to be improved by consumption of red and black maca: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039502/
• Improvement in endurance e.g. exercise: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19781622/

Maca: PERUVIAN GINSENG: Improves sexual desire: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12472620/ Click To Tweet

7. Matcha

Main Benefit: Antioxidant / Weight Loss

Matcha has long been touted for its antioxidant benefits.

Research:

• Improves Memory and concentration: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28056735/
• Catechins (antioxidants) in matcha is up to 137 times greater than in other types of green tea: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14518774/
• During moderate exercise increased fat burning by 17%: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18326618/

Matcha: During moderate exercise increased fat burning by 17%: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18326618/ Click To Tweet

8. Moringa: MIRACLE TREE

Main Benefit: Blood Sugar Balance

Research:

• Blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, protection of organs like the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs and reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%, on average: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18326618/

Moringa: MIRACLE TREE: reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%, on average: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18326618/ Click To Tweet

9. Turmeric: INDIAN SAFFRON

Main Benefit: Anti-inflammatory (e.g. Pain)

Research:

• Joint pain, inflammation and issues related to stomach, skin and liver: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/
• Matches effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19594223/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10404539/,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15489888/
• Beneficial herb in cancer treatment: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18462866/
• Delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3281036/

Turmeric: INDIAN SAFFRON: Delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3281036/ Click To Tweet

Note 1: Spirulina main benefit: Nutrient Dense (However Chlorella has higher % of nutrients)

Note 2: Wheatgrass main benefit: Similar actions and nutrients to Spirulina and Chlorella. Pre-caution: if sensitive to Gluten best not to consume Wheatgrass.

More Information: Ultimate MOT Health Package / Nutrition E-Course

The best way to tell what superfood would be best for you is to run some functional diagnostic tests to reveal where you are deficient or imbalanced. This can be done by undertaking the Ultimate Health MOT. For more information click on the button below.

If interested in knowing more about Nutrition generally click on the button below.