The 6 Must Have Superfood Groups For A Complete Superstack

There are 6 essential categories of superfoods. Each of them can make a powerful impact on your health and well-being.

Most people, however, only use one or two.

However, when you combine all 6 of these categories into one stack, you unleash a synergistic power that can take your energy and vitality to a whole new level.

 

Organic Greens and Vegetables

Dark leafy greens and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients essential for basic cellular function. By using whole vegetable and whole plant sources, you increase bioavailability and get more benefit per gram than with a typical single vitamin. Also, be sure to screen for organic sources of these, because residual pesticide residues can destroy many of the beneficial effects.

Here are some of the superstars of this superfood category:

Moringa: an African tree known as the “Miracle Tree” for its many health benefits

• Rich in vitamins A, C, and E
• Source of all the essential amino acids for balanced nutrition
• Packed with more than 90 different flavonoids, isothiocyanates, and phenolic acid––essential compounds for cellular health
• Balances hormones naturally, improving complexion, libido, and mental balance
• Improves digestive health and fights candida

Chlorella: a nutrient dense blue-green algae

• Rich source of B vitamins
• Excellent source of iron, magnesium, and zinc.
• Binds and detoxifies heavy metals
• Supports immune function

Wheatgrass: a superfood grass packed with dozens of health-promoting compounds

• Alkalizes the body, improving overall health, mental clarity, and nutrient absorption
• Dense in chlorophyll, a natural detoxifier that aids the liver and strengthens the blood
• Great source of enzymes to improve nutrient absorption and digestion
• Improves nerve signaling and mental well-being
• Boosts metabolism for higher energy levels

 

Soluble Vegetable Fiber

As a general rule, the typical western diet is deficient in fiber. What many people don’t realize is that soluble fiber is essential for your gut health, which in turn impacts every other aspect of your health and well-being. Here are just a few of the benefits of soluble fiber

• Slows digestion so you absorb more nutrition from every bite
• Balances blood sugar levels so you avoid the dangerous insulin spikes after meals
• Helps manage appetite and weight levels
• Lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol levels for improved cardiovascular health
• Improves bowel movements so you eliminate toxins and waste from your system efficiently, one of the most overlooked aspects of optimal health

 

Perhaps most importantly, it feeds your gut microbiome, the trillions of beneficial bacteria living in your gut. These little bacteria improve immunity, make neurotransmitters, fight infection, and perform dozens of other essential functions for your daily life.

Take care of your microbiome by giving it soluble fiber and it will take care of you.

You can recognize soluble fiber by its gel-like quality. Here are some of the best dietary sources:

Flax Seeds: also known as linseeds, they are rich high in both fiber and omega-3 fatty acids

Chia seeds: a nutrient dense seed from central America high in fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids

Acacia root: in addition to being a great source of soluble fiber, this root is also known as a potent anti-inflammatory.

 

Glucose Support

Balancing your blood sugar levels is one of the secrets to optimal health and performance.

As your blood sugar spikes and dips, so does your focus, concentration, and overall energy level. This rollercoaster has negative effects on your health.

One of the major benefits of a paleo or ketogenic diet is its effect on your blood sugar levels, but you don’t need to go keto to get these benefits.

By using superfoods to regulate your blood sugar level, you balance your entire energy system, reduce free radicals, and manage weight more effectively.

Here are 3 of the top superfoods to help you regulate your blood sugar effectively:

Apples not usually considered a “superfood,” apples are a rich source of phytonutrients

• While containing carbs, apples have a minimal effect on blood sugar levels
• Contain phytochemicals that balance out blood sugar levels
• Slow the breakdown of complex carbs, reducing blood sugar spikes so you maintain consistent energy levels

Cinnamon: everyone’s favorite spice

• Contains cinnamaldehyde, a unique compound that increases insulin sensitivity, so you manage your nutrient absorption and energy levels more efficiently
• Proven to lower fasting blood sugar levels by 10-29%
• Known for remarkable antiviral, antifungal, and anti-cancer properties
• One of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory compounds

Bitter Melon: Momordica Charantia is found throughout Asia and Africa. It is one of the most bitter and medicinal fruits in the world.

• Perhaps the single most effective plant remedy for regulating blood sugar and insulin levels
• Known in Ayurveda as a “blood purifier”
• Packed with potent anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant properties
• Boosts overall immunity with complex polysaccharides
• Best natural source of polypeptide P, vicine, momordin, and charantin––powerful blood glucose regulators

 

Probiotics and Digestive Enzyme Blend

“All disease begins in the gut”

   -Hippocrates, founder of Western Medicine

Gut and digestive health is one of the most exciting areas of modern health research. This is the fundamental interface between you and the external world. Digestion is where the outside becomes your insides.

Digestive enzymes are the front lines of digestion. They break down all the complex molecules into parts that your body can use. Protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber all require special enzymes to be digested. The more enzymes you have, the more nutrition you get from your food.

Long ago, we got many enzymes from our diet, but now, with depleted soil and nutrient deficient food, we simply don’t get the same amount of dietary enzymes we used to. This means we need find other sources to get our digestion back to optimal condition.

Here are the four most important enzymes your body needs:

• Amylase - Breaks down carbohydrates
• Protease - Breaks down protein
• Lipase - Breaks down fats
• Cellulase - Breaks down fiber

Probiotics are the other half of the story. Once food passes through your stomach and into the intestines, your microbiome finishes the digestion job. It takes the broken-down food particles and turns them into important signaling molecules like neurotransmitters, peptides, and phospholipids

There are dozens of probiotic strains out there, but some of the most beneficial for overall health include:

• Bacillus coagulans: a unique probiotic aids virtually every aspect of digestion and gut health, relieving constipation, diarrhea, leaky gut, and inflammation, as well as improving blood sugar levels
• Lactobacillus plantarum:the primary strain found in kraut and kimchi, it helps digest protein and aid your immune system
• Lactobacillus acidophilus: a probiotic strain found in yogurt that helps maintain healthy microbiome balance. It produces many compounds that fight off “bad bacteria” and candida overgrowth
• Lactobacillus brevis: A remarkable strain found in pickles and sauerkraut, it helps boost immune function and stimulates the production of BDNF, the best hormone for the brain

 

Anti-Inflammatories and Antioxidants

Inflammation and free-radicals are the hidden cause of many of the most debilitating diseases of our time. They are behind everything from digestive problems like IBS, to arthritis, to brain fog, and even cancer. Accumulated antioxidants may even be the real source of aging.

These two culprits damage proteins, cell walls, connective tissue, and DNA. Whatever it damages, symptoms and disease begin to show.

This means turning down the fires of inflammation and damping the dangers of free radicals is critical to your long-term health and well-being.

Here are some of the most potent dietary sources of anti-inflammatories and antioxidants.

Organic Grape Skin

• Best plant source of resveratrol, the anti-aging phytonutrient found in red wine
• Resveratrol crosses the blood-brain barrier, helping protect the brain from damaging oxidation
• Dozens of antioxidants that improves eye, skin, and hair health
• Fights herpes and other viruses

Organic Green Tea (Matcha)

• Loaded with antioxidants to keep you feeling young and healthy
• Contains catechins, special molecules that supercharge your body’s detox system
• Famous for its anticancer effects
• Contains the magic cocktail of caffeine + L-theanine, increasing both dopamine and GABA to keep you alert, focused, and relaxed.

Turmeric: the most researched spice on the planet, with more than 6200 published scientific papers

• The best source of curcumin, one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory compounds on the planet.
• Proven remedy for all kinds of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, IBS and other GI issues, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and more.
• More effective than Prozac for depression
• Modulates the expression of over 700 genes

 

Liver and Detoxification-Support

This is perhaps one of the most disregarded categories of superfoods out there. Toxins interfere with your body’s natural processes. When they accumulate, so do symptoms. Your thinking becomes foggy, your joints begin to hurt, your whole system gets bogged down.

The liver is like your body’s garbage disposal. It grinds up and neutralizes toxins, sending them to the bowels for elimination. It keeps the garbage out of your system.

The problem is that it can only handle so much. Our daily environment is more full of toxins than ever before. From plastic residues to pesticides to air pollution to artificial preservatives, these are all building and overloading your liver. When the liver is overloaded, toxins build up and health suffers.

That’s why liver and detox support is so important. Even if you eat a healthy diet, boosting your liver function will benefit your health.

Here are some of the most important dietary sources of detox:

Milk thistle

• A powerful liver cleanser, it boosts every aspect of liver health
• Prevents depletion of glutathione, the body’s primary detox molecule
• Strengthens and soothes mucosal membranes for better immune health

Artichoke extract

• Contains high levels of silymarin, which helps protect the liver from damage
• Contains cynarin, which stimulates healthy bile production for better digestion and nutrient absorption
• Extremely high in antioxidants, for anti-aging and health benefits

Dandelion Root

• Protects liver from damage by toxins, including alcohol
• Stimulates liver detox, improving liver function and overall health
• Rich source of antioxidants

 

Your Superfood Superstack

Pick and choose what works for you. Just be sure you have at least one superfood from each category to see maximum results in your health and performance.