Did you know the humble blueberry is packed full of therapeutic properties?
Nutritionally, one cup of blueberries contains fiber, Vitamins A, B, C, E, K, Folate, manganese, Pantothenic Acid, flavonoids, anthocyanins, Quercetin, Myricetin, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc. That cup of raw blueberries also has a 1.5 to 1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids (which is a good balance). Blueberries are highly antioxidant which means they can help protect the body from free radical damage. They can help protect your heart health by lowering blood pressure and your LDL cholesterol levels. They can help improve cell signaling in the neurons in the brain which may aid in cognitive function as we age. They may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by increasing sensitivity to insulin. As a relative of cranberries, they may assist in preventing UTIs. They may also speed up muscle recovery after exercise. Did you know that Vitamin K1, and K2, supplement Vitamin D. Vitamin K is necessary to support proper blood-clotting, build the bones, protect the heart., and balance insulin levels. It may also help prevent Alzheimer's Disease, tooth decay, infectious diseases, and several kinds of cancer.
Many of us don't get enough Vitamin K in our diets. Vitamin K1 can be found in green vegetables and in green leaves. Bacteria in the gut makes Vitamin K2. Fermented foods also provide K2. There is a Vitamin K3 which is synthetic form of the vitamin and has issues with toxicity. Because this is a fat-soluble vitamin, it needs to be taken with a moderate amount of fat in order to be absorbed. Did you know that Hemp Seed Oil has a 3 to 1 ratio of Omega 6 (55%) to Omega 3 (20%) Fatty Acids (FAs)?
Omega 6 FAs are pro-inflammatory while Omega 3 FAs are anti-inflammatory. We need about a 3 to 1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 FAs in our diets to keep our bodies balanced. Hemp Seed Oil is called "Nature's most perfectly balanced oil" because it has a wide variety of Fatty Acids. This oil is great topically, but will easily spoil with high temperatures. Did you know that many of the weeds we try to eliminate from our yards are actually highly beneficial herbs? One example is the dandelion.
The humble, and often despised, dandelion has protein, carbohydrates, and fiber in small quantities. More importantly, it has significant quantities of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Dandelions are good for our bones, muscles, immune system, skin, digestion, pancreas, gall bladder, circulation, blood, and liver. There are several ways to eat your dandelions, but before you go out in your yard to pick them, there are a few precautions to consider. First, if you use chemicals in your yard, those chemicals will get into the dandelions. That's something you don't want to consume. Second, there are four other plants that look like a dandelion. They are commonly referred to as 'False Dandelion'. While some of my resources say they can't be eaten, I've found some that say they can. Until I do more research on this, I won't recommend eating them. Third, if you take blood sugar medicine, dandelion can lower blood glucose. Fourth, dandelion has inulin, a rare fiber that is an allergen for some people. |
DisclaimerThe information contained in this blog is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Archives
February 2021
Categories |