healthyz’s blog

1. Garlic

One to three cloves of garlic daily can help lower cholesterol and protect against cancers of the stomach, prostate and colon. Garlic's antibacterial and antifungal properties also boost the immune system. But before you start popping cloves, realize that you must crush them to make their benefits available. The key healthful ingredient, allicin, only forms when exposed to air. So, when you cook with garlic let the crushed or chopped garlic stand for 10 minutes. If you don't like to cook with garlic, find it difficult to digest, or cannot tolerate the odor - purchase a good quality odorless garlic supplement * make sure it contains allicin.

2. Leafy Greens.

Kale, collards, mustard greens, and spinach are supreme in the vegetable world. High in calcium, antioxidants, and the phytonutrient Lutein, leafy greens may help prevent cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate. A recent study also shows that Lutein may even help reverse macular degeneration. Of the four leafy green vegetables mentioned, kale contains the highest levels of antioxidants and contains the most easily absorbed calcium.

Spinach poses potentially painful problems. Though spinach is rich in potassium, its green leaves contain high levels of oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones.

Also long journeys from field to table and warm temperatures can destroy up to half of the greens phytonutrients - so buy local-grown greens and eat them soon thereafter.

3. Salmon.

High in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and depression. However 90 percent of the salmon eaten in the United States is farmed raised rather than wild. And it contains higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, a probable carcinogen. Farmed salmon is more likely to be raised in polluted water and the fish face diseases not typically found in wild stock. Try taking a quality brand of Omega 3 in capsule form, unless you can find wild salmon certified by the Marine's Stewardship council as sustainable harvested.

4. Olive Oil.

Two tablespoons of olive oil may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. A recent study also shows it may block the action of the Her-2 breast cancer gene.

To ensure that you receive all the benefits, make sure you buy the extra virgin - cold pressed olive oil rather than refined or light, both of which are treated with chemical solvents that destroy many of the oil's nutrients. Also choose oil in a dark container because light can damage the antioxidants.

When cooking with olive oil, avoid getting the pan so hot that the olive oil starts to smoke. Excessive heat ruins the oil's flavor and creates harmful byproducts such as trans fat.

5. Almonds.

The most nutrient dense of all the nuts, almonds pack a healing mix of vitamins, protein and monounsaturated fats. Exposure to air, heat and pesticides can make the healthy almond a shell of its former self. Buy only organic almonds in their shells and ideally, in hermetically sealed packaging. Keep them stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry, or shady place or in the refrigerator or freezer.

6. Tomatoes.

Tomatoes contain lycopene. This potent antioxidant may help prevent atherosclerosis and cancers of the prostate, breast and lungs. When buying tomatoes, choose the reddest you can find - yellow or orange varieties lack lycopene. Tomatoes should be treated like fruit, they contain a high amount of sugar, so do not mix with proteins.

7. Soy.

Although soy is said to decrease the risk of heart disease, eating soy may also protect against cancers of the uterus, colon, prostate, and breast. However, soy can trigger allergic reactions such as nasal congestion, asthma, fatigue and itching. Always choose organic soy and read the labels for sugar content.