Superfoods and Health Foods – What Are They And What Do They Do? (part 2)

Let us continue our discussion of that group of foods which is truly a class by itself - the superfoods. These are foods that contain a super-abundance of vitamins, minerals and energy. There are enough of these superfoods that more than one issue is devoted to them. The approach has been alphabetical. The last article began with apple-cider-vinegar. In this issue we continue with lecithin.

LECITHIN

Lecithin is an incredible food. It works within the cardiovascular system and the brain and helps control blood fats. Lecithin is essential to every cell in the body, serving as structural material especially for the brain and nerves. The body can manufacture its own lecithin from inositol, choline, vitamin B6, and magnesium.  The identical lecithin manufactured by the body is found in all unrefined foods containing oil. Lecithin that can be taken as a food supplement is made from unrefined soybean oil. The major function of lecithin is to aid in the burning of fats. Its presence also controls the level of body cholesterol. Lecithin helps the cells to remove fats and cholesterol from the blood and to utilize them to increase the production of bile acids. This function is particularly important in preventing and correcting atherosclerosis (hardening arteries). In Let's Get Well Adelle Davis states, "If enough lecithin is given, the disease does not occur regardless of how much cholesterol is fed. Even if artherosclerosis is far advanced, health is restored after lecithin is supplied in the diet.”

From these investigations it would appear that it is not the amount of cholesterol eaten but the balance between the cholesterol and the lecithin in the body. Many foods that are naturally high in cholesterol are also high in lecithin - the famous egg for example. A raw fertile egg is 14% lecithin. This is eight times the amount of cholesterol in the egg.  For many years nutritional experts have called lecithin a brain food. In fact lecithin makes up 30% of the weight of the brain. Choose to supplement your food intake with lecithin granules or powder as liquid is too much oil and capsules or tablets do not contain enough lecithin. The granules should be kept in an air­tight container, refrigerated. Lecithin can be stirred into milk, blended with nut butters and blender drinks, sprinkled on cereals, casseroles, salads and soups.

LEMON

The common lemon is traditionally used as a tonic and a remedy for colds as it is high in vitamin C. It is extremely effective when used straight as a gargle for sore throat and it can be mixed with honey for cough syrup. It is antiseptic and cleansing. Rich in digestive enzymes, some prefer it to apple cider vinegar as a digestive aid. Lemon is a wonderful seasoning on meats, vegetables and fruit compotes. Its use will reduce or eliminate entirely the need for salt.

O LIVE OIL

Long associated with Mediterranean cooking, olive oil has other traditional uses.  It is easily digested, imparting a soothing influence to the digestive tract. This healing and cleansing effect is due to the high content of potassium and also sodium and calcium.  Olive oil shines, however, in its ability to lower cholesterol.  In a six-year study conducted in Greece by the University of Minnesota, only four cases of heart and artery disease were found among 1,215 Greek men aged 40-59. Olive oil forms an important part of the Greek diet and "appears related to their low mortality from heart disorders." This conclusion is supported by a study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Feb., 1964 which showed a lowering of cholesterol levels in patients allowed as much olive oil as desired but no other oils.  As a beauty aid olive oil is good for the hair. It is very softening as a body lotion and can be used to treat dry skin.  When using olive oil, unrefined extra virgin oil is preferred.

ONION

A member of the lily family, the onion is one of the oldest vegetables known to man. The ancient Egyptians used it as a symbol of the universe. Throughout time, onions have been used for almost every ailment imaginable from bronchitis to insect stings.  The onion is antiseptic and functions as a cleanser of the system but it is not as effective as garlic. Raw or cooked, the onion is helpful in cases of urinary problems.  It contains a plant hormone that is similar to insulin in its ability to reduce the blood sugar level. The onion also contains a substance that stimulates the digestive secretions of the pancreas.

PAPAYA

This tropical fruit is an excellent food with many therapeutic properties. Papaya is best known for the digestive enzyme, papain, which is extracted from the juice of the unripe fruit and leaves.   Papain helps to break down protein into amino acids making them easily absorbable.  It is rich in vitamins, especially C, and minerals. Papaya is the perfect dessert and is particularly delicious served with fresh strawberries and honey-­sweetened plain yogurt.

Health is not everything, but without spiritual and physical health, everything is nothing. Until next time we meet – may God Bless you with good health, with a little help from you!

The information in these columns is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult your physician for any serious condition.

Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for 30 years. After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor Of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.