Canola oil has long been promoted as being the darling of health-conscious companies and individuals.  What may not be known is that canola oil has a sinister side.

Let’s start with its history.  Saturated fats, like those found in butter, began to receive negative coverage due to the relationship to clogged arteries, a factor in heart disease.  As a result, manufacturers and consumers began to look for a healthy monounsaturated fat.  Olive oil, the staple of the famed Mediterranean Diet, seemed to be the rising star.  A small problem existed, however.  As olive oil would be a healthy oil to consume, there was not enough supply of it to go around.  Plus, olive oil was not cost-efficient oil for manufacturers to use.  The search was on for an alternative.

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Barring a physical condition like heart trouble, diabetes, or kidney disease, the average person needs 2,300 mg of sodium per day, about one teaspoon.  The intake of sodium is vital for proper fluid regulation as well as muscle performance and nerve function. Read the rest of this entry »

Since ancient times, asparagus has been considered a delicacy and has had a place at dining tables.  It has also been valued for its medicinal benefits.  Asparagus is a nutritional powerhouse.  Most notably, asparagus is high in folate, the most common vitamin deficiency known.  Folate is an essential nutrient for proper cardiovascular system function.  It is recommended to expectant mothers for the prevention of birth defects such as spina bifida, a neural tube defect. Read the rest of this entry »

The goji berry is a survivor. It is found growing in Asia under extreme climatic conditions. Thus, it is full of powerful properties beneficial to the human body. Because of its nutritional support, the goji berry has played a major role in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The goji berry is commonly labeled as the “Happy Berry” by inhabitants of Asia.

The goji berry is a powerful antioxidant, an element that curbs free radical damage which leads to premature aging and degenerative diseases. In fact, on an ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), goji has an amazing rating of 25,300 units per 100 grams, whereas the better known but still beneficial blueberry has an ORAC capacity of 2,400 units per 100 grams. Read the rest of this entry »

Being marooned on a tropical island wouldn’t be too bad if you were surrounded with fresh water and lush vegetation, including access to wild berries, bananas, and coconuts.  But, forget about making coconut pies as it would be the raw coconut that would do you the most good.

While coconut meat and coconut oil are prized for their nutritional contents, coconut water is a star all its own.  In fact, coconut water is a common drink in places like Central America, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.  Thankfully coconut water is found in the United States and is growing in popularity.  Coconut water is full of electrolytes and potassium and outperforms sports drinks and bananas.  With the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) being high in sodium and low in beneficial potassium, often leading to high blood pressure, heart dysfunction and failure, coconut water would be a welcome addition to a proactive diet. Read the rest of this entry »

Chocolate lovers everywhere-celebrate!  Chocolate is good for you!  But, before consuming for its health benefits, be very picky.  Most commercially available chocolate has been processed in a way that destroys its healthful compounds and is mixed with damaged oils, refined sugar, and condensed or powdered milk.  Instead, look for dark chocolate with a cacao level of 70% or greater.

Due to the rich soil required to grow the cacao bean, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, compounds that negate free radicals that lead to premature aging and cause degenerative diseases in the human body.  In fact, cacao has a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) rating, outperforming green tea. Read the rest of this entry »