Super Foods To Boost Immune System | Barron Report

Designing a Super Food Formula

premium golden flax seed

Because of the number of powerful, proven ingredients in my ultimate “superfood” formula, this report contains references to over 80 scientific studies. It could easily have contained five times that many. I spent almost 15 years, developing and playing with it. It was originally designed for my personal use–for myself and my wife Kristen. As I explained when I first created it, I never intended to sell it to the public since the formula I had in mind was too expensive. The idea was to develop a product that would serve as the cornerstone of my own health and nutrition program. However, three things changed.

  1. Thanks to the creation of Baseline Nutritionals, I have an outlet for this formula that sells direct to the public so that I can offer the formula at a price much closer to its actual cost, which means it can be affordable for anyone — anyone, that is, who wants the best that money can buy.
  2. Thanks to my work with Baseline Nutritionals, I have manufacturers and ingredient suppliers in place that I work closely with and to whom I provide significant amounts of business each month–who are, therefore, more than happy to grant me price concessions even on smaller runs of the product. This helps keep the price down on such a “specialized” superfood formula.
  3. Taste has never been that big a deal to me when it comes to health and nutrition. (Anyone who has tasted my blood cleansing formula can tell you how true that is.) If something works and provides the health benefits I’m looking for, I don’t really care what it tastes like. For me, personally, taste is a secondary issue. But in the real world, most people don’t feel the same way. In the real world, taste and smell matter. The problem is that when you mix a number of superfood ingredients together, their tastes don’t necessarily mix (think pickles and chocolate ice cream). Fortunately, after years of developing and tweaking this formula, I’ve actually got it so that it tastes great, mixes beautifully, and has a rich color — all with no concessions to the actual efficacy of the final formula.

What It’s Not

If you search under “superfood” on the internet, you will come up with many “hits.”

Some sites will tell you that superfoods are replacements for multivitamin pills. That’s not what I was after. I wasn’t looking for something to replace a daily multivitamin. The simple fact is that most people who are interested in alternative health already take some form of daily multivitamin. So the idea that you need to pack your superfood with vitamin isolates so that it has mega doses of every vitamin and mineral under the sun is, essentially, a meaningless exercise. And as for those formulas that try and do it without pumping their formula up with isolates and just use natural ingredients, the numbers simply aren’t there. It’s virtually impossible to get the numbers of many vitamins (such as vitamin C) and minerals (such as calcium) up to “significant” levels without using some isolates. But the bottom line on this issue is: why duplicate a vitamin pill?

Some sites tell you that a product consisting entirely of one ingredient such as bee pollen or spirulina or soluble rice bran or Tahitian noni are superfoods. The problem is that no matter how great one ingredient is, it can’t possibly give you everything you need. It may have some of everything like bee pollen and spirulina, but there are key phytochemicals that are only found at meaningful levels in certain types of food. For example, spirulina is a great source of chlorophyll, but it contains almost no ellagitannins. For those, you have to turn to berries or pomegranates. Single ingredients may be “super ingredients,” but by themselves they do not qualify as “superfoods.” In the end, if you want a true superfood, you have to blend ingredients.

Some sites will tell you that everything you need is contained in green foods and a few vegetables–so all you need to do is blend those and you’ll get what you need. Not true. Again, no ellagitannins. No DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. No monosaccharides and polysaccharides. The bottom line is that you have no choice; if you want a real superfood, you must blend your formula across “families” of ingredients.

And then you will find some sites that promote formulas that use massive amounts of dairy proteins and/or soy proteins based on the idea that superfoods are supposed to provide mega quantities of protein to build muscle and organs. And yes, adequate protein is vital if the superfood is to serve as a true long-term meal replacement. But what are you trying to create–a protein supplement or a superfood formula? They’re different animals. Also, there are far better ways to go than using proteins that most people are allergic to and have a hard time digesting. (Just think of all the gas you’ve had if you’ve ever used a soy protein supplement.)

What I Wanted My Superfood to Provide

So exactly what was I trying to create? What is it that I was trying to accomplish with his superfood?

Well first of all, I avoided the two things most formulators do and that were mentioned above.

  • I absolutely wanted the formula to have a good complement of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, but I wasn’t worried about the 100% of all your daily needs thing. My intention was that this superfood formula be only one of several meals you eat during the day, and I assumed that you would continue to take whatever multivitamin you were already taking. That would allow me to focus on the things that were more important to me — and that aren’t being provided by other meals or supplements.
  • And second, I wanted the formula to contain enough protein so that you could truly live on it. But I wasn’t designing a protein supplement for bodybuilders or seniors (I ended up designing that later), and I didn’t want people to suffer from severe gas or allergies so I wanted the protein to be as hypoallergenic as possible.
  • In addition, I also wanted the superfood to provide significant soluble and insoluble fiber to help keep your intestinal tract clean and reduce blood pressure and the incidence of heart disease and colon cancer.
  • I knew that omega-3 fatty acids were essential. As I’ve explained in Lessons from the Miracle Doctors and many newsletters, I consider the high consumption of plastic fats and the imbalance in the diet of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids to be the single biggest causative factor in most of the ill health we are now seeing in the industrialized world. It was imperative that this formula help correct that imbalance.
  • As for carbohydrates, they are essential for good health, and yet short chain carbs and sugars probably qualify as the second biggest causative factor of ill health. On the other hand, ultra-long chain carbohydrates (ULCs) may be one of the single best foods you can consume to optimize your health and provide sustained energy throughout the day. The formula had to contain a significant amount of ULCs.
  • And then there are the phytochemicals. To me, this was the most important aspect of his formula–its raison d’être. All of the things mentioned above are merely the base of the formula, the infrastructure on which its true value is built. It’s the individual miracle phytochemicals, antioxidants, and enzymes that most people don’t get at all in their diets — or at most get one or two a day. The purpose of my superfood formula is to work as an optimized carrier for meaningful doses of the most powerful healing phytochemicals we know today. We’re talking about ellagitannins, mucopolysaccharides, xeronine, and xanthones, acemannan, and astaxanthin for starters. Quite literally, we’re talking about several hundred specialized antioxidants inherent in the high powered ingredients themselves. It is in these phytochemicals that provide the primary value of this formula. And it was imperative to me that every one of these ingredients be included in “true” amounts — no pixie dust allowed.

Quality Ingredient Control

There is a phrase used in the formulation trade, “pixie dust,” that refers to the practice of using such tiny amounts of an ingredient in a formula that the ingredient adds nothing to the value of the formula other than the fact that you can list it on the label. You see evidence of this when you look at a label and see vegetable or fruit powders added at 5 and 10 mg each. What possible value is there in 5 or 10 thousandths of a gram of dried broccoli? Or you’ll see CoQ10 at 10 mg, when it takes 100 mg to make a difference. The bottom line is that I’ve never used, and never will use, pixie dust in any formula that carries my name on the label. Do it once and all your credibility is gone. Also, as I’ve has stated over the years, all formulas that carry my name are initially designed primarily for my own personal use, and for Kristen. Pixie dust makes no sense.

That’s why I proudly list the precise amount of every ingredient in this formula.

And let’s talk briefly about ingredient sourcing. Over the years, I’ve developed some of the greatest raw, organic, and wild crafted ingredient sources in the world. This, as much as anything, accounts for the reputation my formulas have and why knockoffs always come up short. But when designing the superfood formula, there were requirements above and beyond just basic quality. I had to deal with issues such as taste and shelf life. To get exactly what I needed, I had to hunt down what, in some cases, was the only source in the world of the exact ingredient I needed. And that search has never ended. I still keep looking for higher quality versions of the ingredients–anything to make the formula ever better. And that’s why over the last 10 years you might have noticed little tweaks to the ingredients on the label.

Putting the Formula Pieces in Place

As mentioned above, what made it all come together is that I was finally able to get a formula that not only provided all of the health benefits I was looking for, but also offered great taste, smell, color, texture, and mixability — and that was easily digested. A rare combination that took 15 years to achieve. This formula has now been available for just over a decade and is generally regarded as the best formula of its kind in the world. It’s not inexpensive, but as is true with most of life, you get what you pay for.

Let’s now take a detailed look at every ingredient in the formula.

Every Ingredient in the Superfood Formula (Based on a 24 g serving)

Premium Gold Flax — 4,997 mg

Flaxseed is one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), with 57% of its fat being omega-3’s — the equivalent of a 10 oz serving of fresh wild salmon in every 10 grams. The problem with using pre-ground flax, however, is that it normally begins to oxidize and go rancid within minutes of being ground and exposed to oxygen and light. As it turns out, though, one of the primary triggers for rancidity in flax is the presence of dark flax seeds. Because golden flax has no dark seeds, ground flax made from golden flax is stable for almost 2 years, without having to reduce the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the flax (the solution employed when brown flax is used). In addition, using a super fine grind specifically for use in beverages means that the ground flax will mix beautifully in liquids and help give a wonderful creamy texture to the drink. Benefits of regular flax consumption include:

  • premium golden flax seedNine major studies have reported that ALA levels are inversely correlated with primary cardiovascular events. The results are persuasive because most of these studies gathered data from large sample populations and/or over multiple years.1 Delfin Rodriguez-Leyva, Chantal MC Bassett, Richelle McCullough, and Grant N Pierce. “The cardiovascular effects of flaxseed and its omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid.” Can J Cardiol. Nov 2010; 26(9): 489–496. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989356/
  • Studies have shown that an ALA-rich diet is associated with a reduced risk of plaque in the carotid arteries. Not surprisingly, then, a case-control study of middle-aged men found that ALA was associated with a 28-37% decrease in the risk of stroke.2 Simon JA, Fong J, Bernert JT, Jr, Browner WS. “Serum fatty acids and the risk of stroke.” Stroke. 1995;26:778–82. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/26/5/778.long
  • Several studies, including the National NHLBI Family Heart Study, have found that dietary ALA is associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension and lower systolic blood pressure.3 Djoussé L, Arnett DK, Pankow JS, Hopkins PN, Province MA, Ellison RC. “Dietary linolenic acid is associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension in the NHLBI Family Heart Study.” Hypertension. 2005;45:368–73. http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/45/3/368.long , 4 Bemelmans WJ, Muskiet FA, Feskens EJ, et al. “Associations of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid with risk factors for coronary heart disease.” Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54:865–71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11114683 , 5 Takeuchi H, Sakurai C, Noda R, et al. “Antihypertensive effect and safety of dietary alpha-linolenic acid in subjects with high-normal blood pressure and mild hypertension.” J Oleo Sci. 2007;56:347–60. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/56/7/56_7_347/_pdf
  • In clinical studies, omega-3’s have been shown to dissolve tumors, with over 1000 documented cases of successful cancer treatment–although the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA appear to work better in this regard.6 Pinar O. Eser, John P. Vanden Heuvel, John Araujo, And Jerry T. “Marine- and plant-derived ?-3 fatty acids differentially regulate prostate cancer cell proliferation.” Mol Clin Oncol. May 2013; 1(3): 444–452. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916163/
  • Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of lignans, a type of beneficial phytoestrogen–more than three times higher than chia seeds and eight times higher than sesame seeds. (Note: flaxseed oil does not contain lignans, only the flax meal with the fiber.) These lignans have anti-tumor properties,7 Thompson LU, Chen JM, Li T, et al. “Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer.” Clin Cancer Res 2005;11:3828-3835. http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/11/10/3828.long and studies have shown that they might provide anywhere from a 42-71% reduced risk of breast cancer mortality.8 Buck K, Vrieling A, Zaineddin AK, et al. “Serum enterolactone and prognosis of postmenopausal breast cancer.” J Clin Oncol 2011;29:3730-3738. http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/29/28/3730.long , 9 Buck K, Zaineddin AK, Vrieling A, et al. “Estimated enterolignans, lignan-rich foods, and fibre in relation to survival after postmenopausal breast cancer.” Br J Cancer 2011;105:1151-1157. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3208499/
  • Flaxseed contains approximately 28% soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, with about 30-40% of the total being soluble. Research has shown that fiber lowers cholesterol, modulates glucose, improves gastro-intestinal function, and reduces the risk of colon cancer. Sufficient fiber in the diet is vital to good health. The average American only consumes about 8.75 grams of fiber per day, but to prevent colon and breast cancer and aid in the prevention of heart disease, you need between 25-30 grams of fiber a day.
  • And finally, since flaxseed contains all of the essential amino acids, it is a good source of complete protein.

Rice Protein – 2,501 mg

Brown rice protein is an excellent source of vegan, hypo-allergenic protein (unlike dairy, egg, and soy proteins). In addition, brown rice is a complete protein, with one of the highest Protein Efficiency Ratios known–virtually matching whey, even for bodybuilders.10 Jordan M Joy, Ryan P Lowery, Jacob M Wilson, et al. “The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance.” Nutrition Journal 2013, 12:86 (20 June 2013). http://www.nutritionj.com/content/12/1/86 The Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) is the measure of protein available for the body to use. The PER is connected to the percentage of the protein in a food that is actually digested by the body. With rice protein, after 4 hours, better than 80% of the protein has been digested, compared to only about 57% for soy. The problem with rice protein, however, is that even though its taste is mild, it can tend to add a chalky consistency to anything it is added to. For that reason we blended it with Yellow Pea Protein.

Yellow Pea Protein – 2,501 mg

Pea protein is the perfect complement to rice protein for several reasons. First, it offers an improved amino acid profile. Like rice protein, it contains all nine essential amino acids, but is especially high in lysine, the amino acid that rice protein is most deficient in. The bottom line is that when used in combination, rice protein and yellow pea protein offer a superior Protein Efficiency Ratio that rivals dairy and egg — but without their potential to promote allergic reactions. In addition, the texture of pea protein helps smooth out the “chalkiness” of rice protein.

Bamboo Fiber – 2,436 mg

Bamboo fiber represents a “new” type of dietary fiber derived from the fiber-rich parts of bamboo plants. It consists of more than 90% water insoluble fiber that cannot be broken down by the human body, so it bulks in the stomach, removes undesired metabolic by-products and shortens intestinal transit time. It also provides a wonderful, almost milk-like, consistency to the formula.

Rice Bran Solubles — 1,999 mg

Stabilized rice bran solubles qualify as one of the world’s great superfoods. They are high in fiber, obviously, but also high in protein and are one of the premier sources of antioxidants — containing over 100 of them. Major health components of stabilized rice bran include:

  • Hypoallergenic protein with all nine essential amino acids.
  • Rich in E complex vitamins (contains the highest natural source of tocopherols and tocotrienols in nature). Studies have shown that tocotrienols play a role in helping with cancer, bone resorption, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases at both preclinical and clinical levels.11 Bharat B. Aggarwal, Chitra Sundaram, et al. “Tocotrienols, the Vitamin E of the 21st Century: It’s Potential Against Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases.” Biochem Pharmacol. Dec 1, 2010; 80(11): 1613–1631. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956867/
  • Rich in B complex vitamins.
  • IP6 (inositol hexaphosphate), which may protect against prostate cancer.12 Komal Raina, Subapriya Rajamanickam, et al. “Chemopreventive Efficacy of Inositol Hexaphosphate against Prostate Tumor Growth and Progression in TRAMP Mice.” Clin Cancer Res. May 15, 2008; 14(10): 3177–3184
  • The only source of gamma-oryzanol in nature. Gamma-oryzanol is a powerful antioxidant that has demonstrated cholesterol lowering abilities.13 Wilson TA1, Nicolosi RJ, Woolfrey B, Kritchevsky D. “Rice bran oil and oryzanol reduce plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and aortic cholesterol ester accumulation to a greater extent than ferulic acid in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.” J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Feb;18(2):105-12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16713234
  • Minerals (including high amounts of potassium, magnesium and manganese) and trace minerals.
  • Polyphenols, phytosterols, and sterolins (high quantities of Beta-sitosterol and Beta-sitosterolin).
  • Mixed carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin.
  • Dimethylglycine (DMG).
  • Trimethylglycine (TMG).
  • Lecithin (phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine).
  • Ferulic acid.
  • CoQ10.
  • Squalene, which may be responsible for disrupting the DNA synthesis sequence that causes cancer cells to grow.14 Harold Newmark. “Squalene, olive oil and cancer risk: a review and hypothesis.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 6 (1997), pp. 1101–1103. http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/6/12/1101.full.pdf
  • Alpha lipoic acid, which has been used to treat everything from diabetes, to prevention of vascular disease, hypertension, and inflammation.15 Kate Petersen Shay, Régis F. Moreau, Eric J. Smith, et al. “Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential.” Biochim Biophys Acta. Oct 2009; 1790(10): 1149–1160. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756298/

Activated Barley – 1,750 mg

A company in Sweden, Nutritech International AB, figured out a way to use low-temperature steam (produced in a partial vacuum) to take barley seeds just up to the point of sprouting — before they turn gelatinous, but after the point where all the proteins and carbohydrates have been converted, and at a temperature low enough so that no enzymes are damaged. This turns out to be a remarkably interesting point for food. It’s like the food is placed in a state of suspended animation at the point where all of the energy of the grain has been marshaled to sprout the seed — and not yet expended in the act of sprouting. The result is a brand new superfood, called Activated Barley (or aktivated barley in Europe), with unbelievable properties.

  • activated barleyLike regular barley, activated barley ranks incredibly low on the glycemic index. It has a rating of 25 on the glycemic index scale and is classified as a low GI food. It does even better on the glycemic load scale with a rating of 11 for one cup of barley.
  • It has all of the nutritional value of barley — high levels of tocotrienols and beta glucans. In fact, pre-sprouting increases beta glucan levels by some 94% according to tests performed by AnalyCen in Sweden.
  • It contains 1,000s of active enzymes.
  • It is an ultra-long-chain carbohydrate that takes up to 4 hours to break down in the digestive tract — thus providing a slow, sustained release of energy and insulin.
  • Because the release is so slow, it actually lowers the body’s insulin response.
  • It provides over 400% more energy per calorie than any other food calorie known. (Despite what the FDA may tell you, not all calories are created equal.) As it turns out, there are two different ways to test for caloric value. The traditional way is by burning the product to determine the energy released. This is the FDA approved standard. However, a more meaningful test is to measure the metabolic calorie value — that is: how much energy the BODY can use or produce from the food in question. For Activated Barley, the metabolic calorie value is 400% higher than a standard calorie such as fat.
  • And studies have shown it can help lower cholesterol levels.16 Per Aman. “Cholesterol-lowering effects of barley dietary fibre in humans: scientific support for a generic health claim.” Department of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. (Accessed 12 Dec 2014.) http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/viewFile/1599/1467

Wheat Sprout Powder – 1,250 mg

In addition to bringing a wonderful sweet taste to the formula, wheat sprouts contain a very high level of organic phosphates and a powerful cocktail of different molecules17 Marsili V, Calzuola I, Gianfranceschi GL. “Nutritional relevance of wheat sprouts containing high levels of organic phosphates and antioxidant compounds.” J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004 Jul;38(6 Suppl):S123-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15220677 such as enzymes, coenzymes, reducing glycosides, and polyphenols.18 Calzuola I1, Marsili V, Gianfranceschi GL. “Synthesis of antioxidants in wheat sprouts.” J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Aug 11;52(16):5201-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15291497 In addition, they offer immune enhancement and detoxifying abilities and are an excellent source of vitamins C and E and protein. Studies have shown that the antioxidant properties of wheat sprouts are able to protect DNA against free-radicals mediated oxidative damage, thus inhibiting the progression of various cancers.19 Bonfili L, Amici M, Cecarini V, et al. “Wheat sprout extract-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells by proteasomes modulation.” Biochimie. 2009 Sep;91(9):1131-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19527768 , 20 Amici M, Bonfili L, Spina M, et al. “Wheat sprout extract induces changes on 20S proteasomes functionality.”Biochimie. 2008 May;90(5):790-801. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18190797

Spirulina Powder – 1,250 mg

Spirulina is a blue-green algae containing complete, balanced protein and a wide range of valuable nutrients. It is approximately 70% easily digestible protein and contains 18 out of 22 amino acids, including all of the essential amino acids, making it a great vegetarian source of complete protein. Even better, spirulina protein is 95% digestible compared to meat sources, which may be only 20% digestible. In addition, spirulina is an excellent source of B vitamins, vitamin E, highly bioavailable iron, and 14 naturally chelated minerals and numerous trace elements. Studies have shown that it not only helps lower blood fat levels, but is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.21 Ruitang Deng and Te-Jin Chow. “Hypolipidemic, Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activities of Microalgae Spirulina.” Cardiovasc Ther. Aug 2010; 28(4): e33–e45. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907180/ It also protects stem cells in the brain and, in fact, encourages their proliferation.22 Adam D. Bachstetter,Jennifer Jernberg, Andrea Schlunk,et al. “Spirulina Promotes Stem Cell Genesis and Protects against LPS Induced Declines in Neural Stem Cell Proliferation.” PLoS One. 2010; 5(5): e10496. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2864748/ And the antioxidants in spirulina have been shown to protect every cell in the body from free radical induced cell death.23 Wan-Loy Chu, Yen-Wei Lim, Ammu Kutty Radhakrishnan, Phaik-Eem Lim. “Protective effect of aqueous extract from Spirulina platensis against cell death induced by free radicals.” BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010; 10: 53. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2954939/

Chlorella Powder – 1,205 mg

In addition to being a great source of protein and all round nutrition, chlorella also has some very specialized benefits.

  • Chlorella is a powerful detoxification aid for heavy metals and pesticides. Numerous research projects in the U.S. and Europe indicate that chlorella can aid the body in breaking down persistent hydrocarbon and metallic toxins such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, DDT and PCB while boosting the immune system response. In Japan, interest in chlorella has focused largely on its detoxifying properties – its ability to remove or neutralize poisonous substances from the body.24 Uchikawa T, Kumamoto Y, Maruyama I, et al. “The enhanced elimination of tissue methylmercury in Parachlorella beijerinckii-fed mice.” Journal of Toxicological Sciences. 2011;36(1):121–126. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21297350 , 25 Sanaa Shanab, Ashraf Essa, Emad Shalaby. “Bioremoval capacity of three heavy metals by some microalgae species (Egyptian Isolates).” Plant Signal Behav. Mar 1, 2012; 7(3): 392–399. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3443921/ , 26 Embla Ardal. “Phycoremediation of pesticides using microalgae.” Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. 2014. (Accessed 10 Dec 2014.) http://stud.epsilon.slu.se/7343/7/ardal_e_140923.pdf
  • Chlorella gets its name from the high amount of chlorophyll it possesses. Chlorella contains more chlorophyll per gram than any other plant. This makes chlorella great for blood cleansing and a great stimulator for the production of red blood cells in the body. It also inhibits the growth of both Candida27 LE Maekawa, R Lamping, S Marcacci, et al. “Antimicrobial activity of chlorophyll-based solution on Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis” RSBO v. r, n. 2, 2007.  http://www.researchgate.net/publication/43335937_Antimicrobial_activity_of_chlorophyll-based_solution_on_Candida_albicans_and_Enterococcus_faecalis and cancer.28 Simonich MT, Egner PA, Roebuck BD, et al. “Natural chlorophyll inhibits aflatoxin B1-induced multi-organ carcinogenesis in the rat.” Carcinogenesis. 2007 Jun;28(6):1294-302. Epub 2007 Feb 8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17290047
  • Chlorella stimulates the activity of macrophages, NK cells, and T-cells by increasing interferon levels, thus enhancing the immune system’s ability to combat foreign invaders whether they are viruses, bacteria, chemicals, or foreign proteins.29 Jung Hyun Kwak, Seung Han Baek, Yongje Woo, et al. “Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of Natural Killer cell activity and early inflammatory response (Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial).” Nutr J. 2012; 11: 53. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511195/
  • Chlorella is alkaline and helps balance your body’s pH.
  • Studies have shown that chlorella tends to normalize blood sugar in cases of hypoglycemia.30 Mehrangiz Ebrahimi-Mameghani, Soodabeh Aliashrafi, et al. “The Effect of Chlorella vulgaris Supplementation on Liver En­zymes, Serum Glucose and Lipid Profile in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.” Health Promot Perspect. 2014; 4(1): 107–115. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4122038/

Prune Powder – 1,200 mg

Prunes have been the subject of repeated health research for their high content of unique phytonutrients called neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid. These damage-preventing substances are particularly effective in neutralizing a particularly dangerous oxygen radical called the superoxide anion radical, and they have also been shown to help prevent oxygen-based damage to fats.31 Amin Morabbi Najafabad1 and Rashid Jamei1. et al. “Free radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of plum (Prunus domestica L.) in both fresh and dried samples.” Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014 Sep-Oct; 4(5): 343–353. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4224712/ Since our cell membranes, brain cells, and molecules such as cholesterol are largely composed of fats, preventing free radical damage to fats is a significant benefit. In fact, in a study out of Tufts University, prunes score among the highest in antioxidants that likely slow the aging process.32 “Prunes Score Highest in Antioxidants That May Slow Aging Process.” Pharmaceutical Online. 25 Feb 1999. (Accessed 11 Dec 2014.) http://www.pharmaceuticalonline.com/doc/prunes-score-highest-in-antioxidants-that-may-0001

Carrot Juice Powder – 900 mg

It is not an accident that carotenoids and carrots share the same root name. Carrot juice powder contains over 400 known carotenoids, in addition to offering one of the highest sources of true beta-carotene. And, of course, it adds a wonderful sweet taste to the final mix.

A 10 year study on coronary heart disease (CHD) found that foods with deeper shades of orange and yellow were protective against CHD–and carrots were determined to be the most protective of all, being associated with a 32% reduced risk of CHD.33 Oude Griep LM, Verschuren WM, Kromhout D, et al. “Colours of fruit and vegetables and 10-year incidence of CHD.” Br J Nutr. 2011 Nov;106(10):1562-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21676275 And it turns out that the health benefits of carrots are not limited to carotenoids. In addition, recent research has discovered a major class of phytonutrients in carrots called polyacetylenes (also found in American ginseng) that inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.34 Stig Purup, Eric Larsen, Lars P. Christensen. “Differential Effects of Falcarinol and Related Aliphatic C17-Polyacetylenes on Intestinal Cell Proliferation.” J Agric Food Chem. Sep 23, 2009; 57(18): 8290–8296. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2745230/

Pomegranate Powder — 276 mg

In the past few years, studies of pomegranates have shown components that inhibit skin cancer, breast cancer, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. Pomegranate juice is an antioxidant powerhouse, packed with both the polyphenols that have made red wine and green tea famous and the ellagitannins that have made red raspberries one of the hottest food items in the anti-cancer arsenal. According to an article in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who drink just 2 ounces of pomegranate juice a day for a week increase antioxidant activity by some 9 percent. Supplementation with pomegranate extract makes sense if you are looking at cancer prevention,35 Deeba N. Syed, Jean-Christopher Chamcheu, et al. “Pomegranate Extracts and Cancer Prevention: Molecular and Cellular Activities.” Anticancer Agents Med Chem. Oct 2013; 13(8): 1149–1161. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4052369/ maintaining heart health,36 Aida Zarfeshany, Sedigheh Asgary, Shaghayegh Haghjoo Javanmard. “Potent health effects of pomegranate.” Adv Biomed Res. 2014; 3: 100. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/ reducing bad cholesterol,37 Zarfeshany lowering blood pressure,38 Mohan M, Waghulde H, Kasture S. “Effect of pomegranate juice on Angiotensin II-induced hypertension in diabetic Wistar rats.” Phytother Res. 2010;24:S196–203. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20020514 and protecting against free radicals and aging.

Wheatgrass Juice Powder — 250 mg

Wheatgrass has been called one of nature’s finest medicines. It contains chlorophyll, enzymes, vitamins and nutrients that are essential for optimal health. The benefits of wheatgrass are enormous. These include correcting blood sugar imbalances, purifying the blood, enhancing hemoglobin production, neutralizing toxins, purifying the liver, and removing heavy metals from the body. Ultimately, though, the primary benefits of wheat grass juice are found in its ability to promote the growth of new blood cells and its ability to soothe and rebuild the intestinal tract.

A 2007 study found that wheatgrass juice taken during chemotherapy reduced the tendency of the chemotherapy to suppress the production of blood cells without diminishing the efficacy of the chemotherapy.39 Bar-Sela G1, Tsalic M, Fried G, Goldberg H. “Wheat grass juice may improve hematological toxicity related to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: a pilot study.” Nutr Cancer. 2007;58(1):43-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17571966 In a similar vein, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that wheatgrass juice is an effective alternative to blood transfusions in terminally ill cancer patients.40 S. Dey, R. Sarkar, P. Ghosh, et al. “Effect of wheat grass juice in supportive care of terminally ill cancer patients– A tertiary cancer centre experience from India.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).  Vol 24, No 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 8634. http://meeting.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/24/18_suppl/8634 And a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology found that treatment with wheatgrass juice for ulcerative colitis was associated with significant reductions in overall disease activity and rectal bleeding.41 Ben-Arye E1, Goldin E, Wengrower D, et al. “Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.” Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr;37(4):444-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11989836

Nopal Opuntia — 250 mg

Nopal is native to the southwestern desert regions of the United States and Mexico and has a whole range of health benefits (all proven in numerous studies, both animal and human). These include the ability to:

  • Lower blood sugar levels by blocking absorption of sugar in the intestinal tract.42 Jin A Yoon, Sung-Joon Lee, et al. “Ameliorating Effects of a Nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) Complex on Blood Glucose in db/db Mice.” Food Sci. Biotechnol. 20(1):255-259 (2011). http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10068-011-0035-4#page-1
  • Lower overall cholesterol levels, improve the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides by preventing the conversion of blood sugar into fat and by eliminating excess bile acids, which would ultimately be converted into cholesterol.43 Fernandez ML1, Lin EC, Trejo A, McNamara DJ. “Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin reverses low density lipoprotein receptor suppression induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet in guinea pigs.” J Nutr. 1992 Dec;122(12):2330-40. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/122/12/2330.full.pdf
  • Induce weight-loss by curbing appetite and facilitating the breakdown and excretion of fat.44 Enzi G, Inelmen EM, Crepaldi G. “Effect of a hydrophilic mucilage in the treatment of obese patients.” Pharmatherapeutica 1980;2:421-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7208538
  • Support the liver and pancreas as demonstrated by improved liver function and increased insulin production over time.45 Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Eduardo Madrigal-Bujaidar, et al. “Review of natural products with hepatoprotective effects.” World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2014; 20(40): 14787–14804. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4209543/

Mangosteen Hull Powder — 250 mg

Mangosteen contains a unique group of antioxidants called xanthones. Xanthones, particularly beta and gamma mangostin, work to maintain the immune system, support cardiovascular health, optimize joint flexibility, are naturally antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, and are some of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature (over 14 times the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity of red raspberries).46 Fabiola Gutierrez-Orozco and Mark L. Failla1. “Biological Activities and Bioavailability of Mangosteen Xanthones: A Critical Review of the Current Evidence.” Nutrients. Aug 2013; 5(8): 3163–3183. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775248/ In addition, recent studies have confirmed that gamma mangostin is a potent COX inhibitor, an important factor in reducing inflammation, pain, and fever. And a number of studies have demonstrated a pronounced ability to suppress tumor growth in breast cancer, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, and colon cancer patients.47 Gutierrez-Orozco

Noni Powder 5:1 — 250 mg

The active biochemical in noni powder, proxeronine, is readily converted in the body to xeronine, an alkaloid, which is present, and necessary, in virtually every cell in the body. Raising the levels of xeronine to optimum levels can produce profound health effects, and noni appears unique in its ability to accomplish this.48 Serafini MR1, Santos RC, et al. “Morinda citrifolia Linn leaf extract possesses antioxidant activities and reduces nociceptive behavior and leukocyte migration.” J Med Food. 2011 Oct;14(10):1159-66. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21548805 It also appears unique in its ability to trigger the release of nitric oxide from the body’s cells. Nitric oxide is a key component in optimizing blood pressure,49 Katherine C. Wood, Miriam M. Cortese-Krott, Jason C. Kovacic, et al. “Circulating Blood eNOS Contributes to the Regulation of Systemic Blood Pressure and Nitrite Homeostasis.” Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. Aug 2013; 33(8). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3864011/ alleviating erectile dysfunction, and in fighting viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, and tumors. It’s also associated with optimizing learning, memory, sleeping, and reducing the pain associated with inflammation and/or rheumatoid arthritis.50 Isla S Mackenzie, Daniel Rutherford,Thomas M MacDonald. “Nitric oxide and cardiovascular effects: new insights in the role of nitric oxide for the management of osteoarthritis.” Arthritis Res Ther. 2008; 10(Suppl 2): S3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582806/

Aloe Vera Powder 200:1 — 250 mg

Aloe vera is an amazing mixture of more than 200 constituents, including polysaccharides, enzymes, glycoproteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The active polysaccharide fractions in aloe are called galacto-mannans or beta-glucomannans (also known as acemannans). These polysaccharides have been shown in laboratory studies to act as a bridge between foreign proteins (such as virus particles) and macrophage cells in the human body, facilitating the destruction of the invading protein by the macrophage. Among its documented benefits, aloe can:

  • aloe vera powderMake cells more resistant to viruses and pathogenic bacteria, by incorporating themselves into cell walls.51 Jon Barron. “Super Saccharides & Aloe Vera For The Immune System.” Baseline of Health Foundation. 1 May 2002. (Accessed 11 Dec 2014.) https://www.jonbarron.org/article/super-saccharides-aloe-vera-immune-system
  • Improve overall cellular metabolism and functioning.
  • Reduce inflammation.52 Amar Surjushe, Resham Vasani, D G Saple. “ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW.” Indian J Dermatol. 2008; 53(4): 163–166. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
  • Provide critical lubrication of joints and work as an anti-inflammatory; helping to prevent arthritis and to heal it once it has developed.53 Vázquez B, Avila G, Segura D, Escalante B. “Antiinflammatory activity of extracts from Aloe vera gel.” J Ethnopharmacol. 1996;55:69–75. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9121170
  • Aid in the absorption of water, minerals, and nutrients in the GI tract.
  • Reduce pain.
  • Improve vascular flow.
  • Reduce scarring.54 Surjushe
  • Improve macrophage activity as much as tenfold.55 Lee JK, Lee MK, Yun YP, et al. “Acemannan purified from Aloe vera induces phenotypic and functional maturation of immature dendritic cells.” Int Immunopharmacol. 2001 Jul;1(7):1275-84. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11460308
  • Enhance macrophage effectiveness in modulating the entire immune system.56 Lee
  • Enhance macrophage effectiveness in stimulating, producing, and releasing antibodies.57 Lee
  • Increase the body’s own production of interferon, interleukins.
  • Increase the number of antibody forming T-cells in the spleen.
  • Increase the number and activity of killer T-cell and increase monocyte activity.58 Lee
  • Fight fungal infections, such as: athlete’s foot, ringworm, pruritus ani and vulvae, balnea, essential pruritus, Candida, and vaginal yeast infections.59 Peter L M Msoffe, Z M Mbilu. “The Efficacy of Crude Extract of Aloe Secundiflora on Candida Albicans.” Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2009; 6(4): 592–595. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2816467/
  • Help heal athletic injuries such as: muscle cramps, sprains, strains, bruises, swelling, soreness, tendonitis, and bursitis.
  • Soothe and promote the healing of intestinal disorders such as: indigestion, heartburn, hyper-acidity, peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, and hemorrhoids.
  • Promote the healing of kidney disorders.
  • Help with diabetes.
  • Kill parasites such as: pinworms and threadworms.
  • Speed wound healing by as much as 35%.60 Surjushe
  • Reduce allergic reactions.
  • Stimulate bone marrow activity.
  • Stimulate fibroblasts to release collagen and elastin to make new tissue.61 Surjushe

Cordyceps Sinensis — 199 mg

Cordyceps has properties similar to those of ginseng and has been used to strengthen and rebuild the body after exhaustion or long-term illness. It has also been used traditionally for impotence, neurasthenia, and backache. Recent research with extracts of cordyceps has yielded a protein-bound polysaccharide with high oral activity against tumors, as well as immunological enhancement.62 Liu C, Lu S, Ji MR, Xie Y. “Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on in-vitro natural killer cells.” Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine. 06/1992; 12(5):267-9, 259. http://www.researchgate.net/publication/21762188_Effects_of_Cordyceps_sinensis_(CS)_on_in_vitro_natural_killer_cells Cordyceps is widely employed to treat upper respiratory problems63 Grace Gar-Lee Yuea, Clara Bik-San Laub, Kwok-Pui Funga, et al. “Effects of Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris and their isolated compounds on ion transport in Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 117, Issue 1, 17 April 2008, Pages 92–101. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874108000524 and the concomitant hypoxia.64 Mrinalini Singh, Rajkumar Tulsawani, Praveen Koganti, et al. “Cordyceps sinensis Increases Hypoxia Tolerance by Inducing Heme Oxygenase-1 and Metallothionein via Nrf2 Activation in Human Lung Epithelial Cells.” Biomed Res Int. 2013; 2013: 569206. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3770031/ It has also been used to treat impotence,65 Panda AK. “Tracing the historical prospective of Cordyceps sinensis –an aphrodisiac in Sikkim Himalya.” Ind J Hist Sci. 2010;45:189–98. by athletes to increase endurance,66 Ashok Kumar Panda and Kailash Chandra Swain. “Traditional uses and medicinal potential of Cordyceps sinensis of Sikkim.” J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2011 Jan-Mar; 2(1): 9–13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121254/ and as an immunomodulator.67 Kuo YC1, Tsai WJ, Shiao MS, et al. “Cordyceps sinensis as an immunomodulatory agent.” Am J Chin Med. 1996;24(2):111-25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8874668

Camu Camu — 149 mg

Camu-camu is the single most concentrated source of Vitamin C found in nature, containing 30 to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange.68 Teresa B. Fitzpatrick, Gilles J.C. Basset, et al. “Vitamin Deficiencies in Humans: Can Plant Science Help?” Plant Cell. Feb 2012; 24(2): 395–414. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3315223/ Camu-camu also contains thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin and is rich in bioflavonoids.

Cerniton/Graminex® Flower Pollen Extract — 127 mg

Years ago, bee pollen was “the” superfood in the alternative health industry — and for good reason. But over time, it was replaced by the next “hot” thing and the next hot thing after that. The simple truth, though, is that pollen still ranks as probably the single greatest superfood ingredient yet discovered. Just because something is old doesn’t make it out of date. When I hiked the 212 miles of the John Muir Trail a number of years ago, bee pollen was my primary energy food. It sustained me as I hiked a pass a day, ranging from 10,000 to 14,500 feet in altitude.

living healthy

Again, keep in mind that just because other superfoods have since come along (spirulina, chlorella, rice bran, noni, mangosteen, etc.) it doesn’t lessen the value of the original great superfood. It’s still number one. And, in fact, it has improved with age.

Back when I first used it, it was available only in the form of fresh bee pollen. Flower pollen extract, though, which wasn’t even possible until advanced manufacturing methods were invented, is a much, much more powerful supplement than the original.

Its first advantage is that unlike bee pollen, flower pollen is remarkably clean (containing no bee parts or dirt) and is therefore close to allergy free.

It is also far more digestible. It is harvested directly from the flower, totally bypassing the bees. In addition, unlike bee pollen, which contains the whole pollen grain, Cerniton Graminex is an extract of the actual nutritive heart of the pollen — eliminating the hard to digest and allergy causing outer pollen husk. Graminex flower pollen extract contains virtually every single known compound necessary for life, including: vitamins, amino acids, nucleic acids, minerals, long chain alcohols, unsaturated fatty acids, prostaglandin precursors, and plant hormones — not to mention several thousand enzymes.

Because it has been around so long, flower pollen, and Cerniton/Graminex in particular, are backed by mountains of clinical studies. My medical library has over 400 pages of clinical study data supporting Graminex flower pollen extract — related to just its benefits vis-à-vis the prostate. But, Graminex has also been shown to be effective against, cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, is also a powerful antimicrobial agent, protects the liver, and is a powerful antioxidant.69 “Clinical Studies.” Graminex (Accessed 15 Dec 2014.) http://www.graminex.com/clinical-studies.php

This is a remarkable superfood ingredient.

Stevia Extract 98% Reb A – 5 mg

Whether in dry-leaf or concentrate form, stevia has the wonderful ability to help the body regulate blood sugar. Several researchers have reported that, in these natural forms, stevia seems to correct both high and low blood sugar–primarily as a result of its ability to re-vitalize beta cells in the pancreas.70 Himanshu Misra, Manish Soni, Narendra Silawat, et al. “Antidiabetic activity of medium-polar extract from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bert. (Bertoni) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.” J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011 Apr-Jun; 3(2): 242–248. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103919/ , 71 Abdula R, Jeppesen PB, Rolfsen SE, et al. “Rebaudioside A potently stimulates insulin secretion from isolated mouse islets: Studies on the dose, glucose and calcium dependency.” Metab. 2004;53:1378–81. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15375798 Other scientists have stated that stevia appears to lower blood pressure, but does not seem to affect normal blood pressure.72 Paul Chan, Brian Tomlinson, Yi-Jen Chen, et al. “A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside in human hypertension.” Br J Clin Pharmacol. Sep 2000; 50(3): 215–220. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2014988/

Astaxanthin — 5 mg

The astaxanthin molecule is similar to beta-carotene, but all evidence indicates that it is a far more powerful biological antioxidant. Astaxanthin exhibits strong free radical scavenging activity and protects against lipid peroxidation and the oxidative damage of LDL-cholesterol, cell membranes, and body tissues.73 Maria Alessandra Gammone, Eugenio Gemello, et al. “Marine Bioactives and Potential Application in Sports.” Mar Drugs. May 2014; 12(5): 2357–2382. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4052294/ It is extremely powerful at even very low levels. A normal supplemental dose is just 4 mg a day. And finally, astaxanthin has been the focus of a large and growing number of peer-reviewed scientific publications. Some of the findings include:

  • Astaxanthin increases strength and endurance (2 – 8 times greater increase over baseline verses placebo in human clinical study).74 Malmsten CL, Lignell A. “Dietary supplementation with astaxanthin-rich algal meal improves strength endurance — a double blind placebo controlled study on male students.” Carotenoid Sci 2008;13:20-22.
  • At higher doses astaxanthin alleviates symptoms in patients with H. pylori (pre-ulcer indigestion).75 Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, et al. “Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: a prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study.” Phytomedicine 2008;15:391-399. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Efficacy+of+the+natural+antioxidant+astaxanthin+in+the+treatment+of…-a0184613190
  • Astaxanthin protects cells and mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage.76 Wolf AM, Asoh S, Hiranuma H, et al. “Astaxanthin protects mitochondrial redox state and functional integrity against oxidative stress.” J Nutr Biochem 2010;21:381-389. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19423317
  • It boosts the immune system by increasing the number of antibody-producing cells.77 Park JS, Chyun JH, Kim YK, et al. “Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation an enhanced immune response in humans.” Nutr Metab (Lond) 2010;7:18. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2845588/
  • It prevents the initiation of cancer cells in the tongue, oral cavity, large bowel, bladder, uterus, and breast.78 Kowshik J, Baba AB, Giri H, et al. “Astaxanthin inhibits JAK/STAT-3 signaling to abrogate cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis in a hamster model of oral cancer.” PLoS One. 2014 Oct 8;9(10):e109114. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4189964/
  • It alleviates stress and may assist the body in dealing with neurodegenerative conditions such as AMD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS.79 Dae-Hee Lee, Yong J. Lee, and Ki Han Kwon. “Neuroprotective Effects of Astaxanthin in Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation in SH-SY5Y Cells and Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rat.” J Clin Biochem Nutr. Sep 2010; 47(2): 121–129. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2935152/
  • It protects the eyes80 Ling-Yan Dong, Jie Jin, Gao Lu,and Xiao-Li Kang1. “Astaxanthin Attenuates the Apoptosis of Retinal Ganglion Cells in db/db Mice by Inhibition of Oxidative Stress.” Mar Drugs. Mar 2013; 11(3): 960–974. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705382/ and skin81 Lyons NM, O’Brien NM. “Modulatory effects of an algal extract containing astaxanthin on UVA-irradiated cells in culture.” J Dermatol Sci. 2002 Oct;30(1):73-84. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923181102000634 from UV A and B damage by quenching singlet and triplet oxygen.
  • It reduces the number of new abnormal cells in the liver.82 Miao Shen, Kan Chen, Jie Lu, et al. “Protective Effect of Astaxanthin on Liver Fibrosis through Modulation of TGF-1 Expression and Autophagy.” Mediators of Inflammation Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 954502, 14 pages. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2014/954502/
  • And maybe most important of all, astaxanthin has been shown to protect the cardiovascular system.83 Robert G. Fassett and Jeff S. Coombes. “Astaxanthin: A Potential Therapeutic Agent in Cardiovascular Disease.” Mar Drugs. 2011; 9(3): 447–465. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083660/ , 84 Pashkow FJ, Watumull DG, Campbell CL. “Astaxanthin: A novel potential treatment for oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiovascular disease.” Am J Cardiol. 2008;101:58D–68D. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18474276

Incidentally, 5 mg may not sound like a lot, but it’s actually 125% of the standard daily dose. Astaxanthin is very potent.

Digestive Complex – 2 mg

Consisting of aspergillus-derived enzymes and charged electrolytes, this blend is a “green food activator” that increases the bioavailability of any green food supplement by 12 to 49 percent.

Accelerator™??

A question sure to come up is how this formula relates to the Accelerator™ meal replacement. And the answer is that although they share some ingredients in common, they have two entirely different purposes.

Accelerator™ is specifically designed to provide sustained energy throughout the day and to support a weight-loss program by incorporating herbs that minimize the glycemic response.

Private Reserve Superfood, on the other hand, was formulated to promote overall health and longevity. It was designed to be the ultimate superfood formula.

And yes, the two can be used together — either blended in the same smoothie, or as part of a weight-loss program that makes use of one large Accelerator™ shake a day, supported by a scoop of Superfood mixed in juice or a smoothie each day.

Bottom Line

This superfood formula is not a vitamin pill. It is not a protein supplement. Yes, it absolutely can be used as a full meal replacement, but the real reason you want to use it is that it contains over 200 naturally occurring antioxidants, and nearly 5,000 naturally occurring enzymes, including:

Neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid, 400 Carotenoids, Ellagitannins, Xanthones, Gamma mangostin, Preoexeronine, Acemannan, Cycloartenol, Cycloartanol, Cycloeucalenol, 24-Methylenecycloartanol, ß-Sitosterol, 24-Methylcholesterol, ß-Sitostenol, Stigmasterol, Stigmastenol, Campesterol, a-Tocopherol, ß-Tocopherol, g-Tocopherol, d-Tocopherol, a-Tocotrienol, ß-Tocotrienol, g-Tocotrienol, d-Tecotrienol, Furulic acid, a-Lipoic, Methyl ferulate, Coumaric acid, Sinapic acid, Isovitexin, a-Carotene, ß-Carotene, Lycopene, Lutein, Zeaxanthine, Proanthocyanidins, Campesterol, Stigmasterol, Avinasterol, Acylsterol glucoside, Oligoglycosyleterol, Monoglycosylsterol, and Methylsterol.

As mentioned at the top of this report, the report itself references over 80 scientific studies in support of the ingredients used in the formula–and it could have easily been five times that many. And remember, every ingredient is present in meaningful amounts as supported by those studies. No pixie dust ingredients are used in this formula. This truly is an elite formula, and not everyone is looking for that. It is designed for those who want the best and the most powerful superfood that money can buy…who want what Kristen and I use in our daily health regimen. If that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ll love Private Reserve.

rainbow of energy

(Originally published 08/01/2004. Updated 12/17/2014.)

References

References
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2 Simon JA, Fong J, Bernert JT, Jr, Browner WS. “Serum fatty acids and the risk of stroke.” Stroke. 1995;26:778–82. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/26/5/778.long
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5 Takeuchi H, Sakurai C, Noda R, et al. “Antihypertensive effect and safety of dietary alpha-linolenic acid in subjects with high-normal blood pressure and mild hypertension.” J Oleo Sci. 2007;56:347–60. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/56/7/56_7_347/_pdf
6 Pinar O. Eser, John P. Vanden Heuvel, John Araujo, And Jerry T. “Marine- and plant-derived ?-3 fatty acids differentially regulate prostate cancer cell proliferation.” Mol Clin Oncol. May 2013; 1(3): 444–452. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916163/
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9 Buck K, Zaineddin AK, Vrieling A, et al. “Estimated enterolignans, lignan-rich foods, and fibre in relation to survival after postmenopausal breast cancer.” Br J Cancer 2011;105:1151-1157. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3208499/
10 Jordan M Joy, Ryan P Lowery, Jacob M Wilson, et al. “The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance.” Nutrition Journal 2013, 12:86 (20 June 2013). http://www.nutritionj.com/content/12/1/86
11 Bharat B. Aggarwal, Chitra Sundaram, et al. “Tocotrienols, the Vitamin E of the 21st Century: It’s Potential Against Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases.” Biochem Pharmacol. Dec 1, 2010; 80(11): 1613–1631. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956867/
12 Komal Raina, Subapriya Rajamanickam, et al. “Chemopreventive Efficacy of Inositol Hexaphosphate against Prostate Tumor Growth and Progression in TRAMP Mice.” Clin Cancer Res. May 15, 2008; 14(10): 3177–3184
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