Goji berry

        The Goji berry, Lyceum,  meaning: "school of learning", is the number one herb used in Chinese medicine. The Goji berry is an adaptogen, a term used in the world of naturopathic medicine to describe the combination of therapeutic actions on the human body (purehealingfoods.com, n.d.). The Goji berry has a remarkable adaptability to grow in a range of different environments from the desert to the tropics and even freezing climates, ranging from 102 F. to -16 F. The Goji Berry has an estimated eight-five species in Asia and fifteen in North and Central America. The Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian peoples have grown Goji berries for approximately over 5,000 years. The deciduous orange-red Goji berries are found on bushes that range from 3-12 feet in height. Goji berries are physically similar to the spherical shape of raisins or grape-sized fruit. (Becker MD, 2012).

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    Learning 

The Goji berry has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine for healing and learning. In Chinese herbalism , Lyceum, is known as the foundation of learning. Goji berries can provide the fundamental principles of the practice based on the studies and agriculture of the fruit. Chinese medicine traditionally uses Goji berries as a tonic (a medicinal substance that invigorates the body). The tonic can create a domino affect in the body, working as an adaptogen and harmonizing with the root cause of an illness being treated (purehealingfoods.com, n.d.) 

    Anti-aging 

     Research indicates that the Goji berry slows down the aging process. There is a master hormone called Human Growth Hormone (HGH), that influences all other hormones in the body, which is produced in the pituitary gland. The Goji berry is high in sesquiterpenoids, which stimulates the pituitary and the pineal glands.  It is the only known food to contain secretagogue, which directly stimulates the HGH hormone. As we age, our HGH levels decrease. These HGH levels are highest from ages 12-25 then it drops by 14% every 10 years. For more information read the article, "The Truth About Anti-Aging Products and HGH".

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    Eyes  

     The Goji berry has key antioxidants to stop degeneration in the eyes, which are zeaxanthin and lutien. These antioxidants protect the eyes from free radical damage, age-related sight loss, muscular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. It gives the eyes the key ingredients for optimal 20x20 vision. The Goji berry is also very high in carotenoids (beta-carotene), a major fat-soluble pigment and antioxidant that is known to enhance thymus gland functions and protect against viral infections (Coll Nutr, J. AM, n.d.).


                                         

   

                                                      Antioxidants

  According to the article, "Antioxidants",  antioxidants protect our DNA from free-radical damage, degeneration, radiation, diseases and any age-related side-effects. 

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Brain & Cardiovascular

          The Goji berry combats against free-radical damage to the brain and prevents neurological degeneration, also carrying a vital nutrient called choline, which helps run the brain to optimal level. Goji berries are known to prevent heart disease by delivering more oxygen to our cells and arteries. Most heart diseases are caused by oxidized cholesterol that can result in free-radicals and plaque build up in the artery walls. Our bodies naturally produce an enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD) that prevents cholesterol from oxidizing and free-radicals from attacking us internally. With age, SOD decreases. Research indicates that the consumption of Goji berries show to increase production of SOD (Wong, 2013).

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        Immune system 

 The Goji berry has three major components for the immune system.  The polysaccharides that make up lycium babrarum (LBP) are the carbohydrate makeup of the Goji berry that can prevent mutations during cell production. Beta-carotenes enhance the thymus gland, a major part of the respiratory immune system.  Goji berries contain germanuim, which is known to prevent cancer according to Japanese research, by inducing the production of immune-enhancing interferon (Wolfe, 2009). The Goji berry is also ranked as one of the highest in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), a chart which shows antioxidant levels (purehealingfoods.com, n.d.)

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   Couple Nutritional Properties of Goji Berries

• Its a complete protein source, containing 19 different amino acids and the essential amino acids. (adrenal supporting and serotonin building, tryptophan). 
• It contains 21 trace minerals; the main ones being: zinc, copper, iron, calcium, selenium, geranium, and phosphorus.
• Vitamins B1, B2, B6, E and C
• Anti-aging sesquiterpenoids
• Beta-sitosterol which has anti-inflammatory properties, lowers cholesterol.   
• Antioxidants: zeaxanthin and physalin promoting eye health. 
• Beta-Carotene: a major antioxidant that aids in protecting the thymus gland. 
• Human growth hormone (HGH) which influences all other hormones. 

Wong, Cathy. "Health Benefits of Superoxide Dismutase." About.com Alternative Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
Weil, M.D, Andrew, and Brian Becker, M.D. "Vitamin Library." Choline. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
"The Truth About Anti-Aging Products and HGH." HGH: Facts about Human Growth Hormone They Are Hiding. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
Norton, Kyle. "Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides on Age-related Oxidative Stress."Before It's News. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
"National Gardening Association." Edible Landscaping with Charlie Nardozzi ::. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
"Goji Berries." Pure Healing Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
Coll Nutr, J. AM. "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
 "Antioxidants: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

Marine Phytoplankton

Marine phytoplankton is a micro-algae from the ocean that has been living and growing on this planet for billions of years. It is considered to be the oldest known food chain for the entire sea population. The longest living and largest sea mammals such as the big blue whale, weighing around 120 tons, about 80 feet in length and having a lifespan between 80-150 years, utilize phytoplankton in their daily diet. Imagine what it can do for humans?

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                     Marine phytoplankton is a single celled organism, supporting 99% of all sea life!

  

          There are many different species of Marine phytoplankton growing abundantly in the oceans around the world. According to NASA research, Marine phytoplankton provides 90% of our oxygen in the atmosphere. 71% of the earth is water and the remaining 29% is land. So all the forests and trees combined can't produce as much oxygen as Marine phytoplankton. Scientific research indicates that Marine Phytoplankton could be the most important food for everything on earth! The most scientific research conducted on the best species of Marine phytoplankton regarding human consumption has shown to be Nannochloropsis gaditana. 

Absorption 

Almost all Marine Phytoplankton does not require any digestive process because its nine times smaller than a human red blood cell, allowing it to be immediately absorbed into the body, making it 100% bioavailable. These productive micro-organisms work in synchronization to give the body all the essential nutrients it needs to function at maximum potential. Marine phytoplankton contains hundreds of phytochemicals that protects the body's tissues while at the same time, detoxifying the body and removing toxins, which increases oxygen and circulation. This also helps to prevent abnormal cell division that can lead to cancer.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Marine Phytoplankton is an extraordinary source of omega 3 essential fatty acids. These cannot be produced by the body and must be directly obtained from a person's diet such as fish or fish oil supplements. Fish eat plankton which contains omega 3s and people eat fish to obtain the omega 3s. The reality is that we have to eat an abundance of fish to obtain the same nutritional value as Marine phytoplankton in a single dose. So why not go directly to the source? The omega 3s contain DHA, EPA and ALA. We vitally utilize these for the brain, which in result, sends signals for stem cell production throughout the body. The better the absorption of the these fatty acids into the brain and nervous system, the more efficiently the body can function; neurologically and systematically.     

Nutritional properties 

Marine phytoplankton, Nannochloropsis gaditana, fits the human nutritional profile perfectly. It contains 92 minerals and trace minerals, all amino acids, is a complete protein, has essential fatty acids 3, 6, 7, 9, polysaccharides and nucleotides.

Few benefits

• Improves immune function: Antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral
• Anti-inflammatory: nucleotide content has an effect on increasing cellular immune system energy without stimulation.
• Detoxification: High alkalinity and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and zinc to protect the body and guide toxins away. 
• Weight loss: Sheds excess weight and fat effortlessly 
• Improves memory: Feeds the master glands in the brain stimulating neurotransmitter production; using omega 3 fatty acids and phospholipids. 
• Body strength: Chlorophyll; increases oxygen and circulation.
• Blood sugar: Naturally restores (mineral deficiency) in the body.

Products

Ian Clark's is the pioneer founder of "Oceans Alive" Marine phytoplankton; life energy liquified extract. Check out Activation Products,  which presents Ian Clark's story, perspective and products. I gave a brief story on Ian's journey to recovery in my last blog.  Research indicates Marine phytoplankton is the new medicine for the future! 

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People

Marine phytoplankton has helped people all over the world! These websites and videos explain the anti-cancer properties it promotes. Win The Fight Against Cancer Naturally, Jeff Davis-Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, and John-Alternative Cancer Treatment.

"Brain Health: Essential Fatty Acids, DHA and EPA." Sunfood Articles and Recipes. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.
"FrequenSea -Exclusively by ForeverGreen, Whole Food Health." FrequenSea -Exclusively by ForeverGreen, Whole Food Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.
Gianni, Kevin. "TRUSTED RENEGADE HEALTH PRODUCTS." Renegade Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.
Vincent, Mike. "Amazing Health Benefits Found In Marine Phytoplankton | Surfing Santa Cruz." Amazing Health Benefits Found In Marine Phytoplankton | Surfing Santa Cruz. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.
Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 2009. Print.