To experience optimal health is not just without pain, it also encompasses our entire body, mind, spirit complex. In our hectic lifestyles, it is not enough to be just pain free. We need to have an understanding of what we eat affects our body, and how well we are able to digest and assimilate what we have put into our mouth has an overall effect on us physically. Food is a very important aspect to our health. The famous Socrates quote of “let food be our medicine & medicine be our food” should be noted and applied to our daily lives. Even though we are an affluent country, in our western society, we suffer from malnutrition just like the third world country. That is due to the amount of processed, chemical induced, genetically modified or irradiated foods we consume. The poor quality of our soil also adds to less mineralised fruit and vegetables reaching our tables.
Even though we consider ourselves to eat well, we may still require the additions of high quality Superfoods or supplements. Superfoods have received high public recognition in recent years. That is due to the fact they are considered to be organic whole foods, unadulterated, containing heaps of nutrients and is so highly nutritious to our body. Our digestive system can only assimilate whole foods by taking out nutrients then eliminating what is not required. When we start to add chemicals, genetically altered foods or irradiated foods into our system, it becomes a foreign matter to our body hence it accumulates causing many problems later on such as inflammations or digestive disorders including food allergies. Superfoods are generally considered to be the entire whole food concentrate. This means it is processed into a powder form without much heating to destroy its nutrients.
We all lead hectic lifestyles, achieving much on a daily basis and expect our body to travel the mileage without breaking down. If we sit down and consume the same amount of foods to give us all the energy in order to achieve our daily activities, we would have to spend most of the day consuming foods to give us enough energy supply to do what we need. No one would be able to achieve this or wish to do so because we have many other duties to perform. This is where Superfoods come in! The power packed food in powder form enables us to obtain sufficient energy to burn without having to eat the same quantity of foods. The best of these Superfoods recommended includes greens such as matcha green tea, spirulina, barleygrass, blue-green algae, chlorella; anti-oxidants such as acai, goji, Inca berry, camu camu, lucuma, cacao, bee pollen, maca or coconut products plus many more.
The same applies to any other supplements such as minerals. Our body requires essential minerals in order to function. In fact we are made up entirely of minerals. Minerals are required to kick start other cellular functions in our glands, organs and tissues. Quality of minerals should also be considered. We need to consider if they are organic, chemically based or natural or is it able to be assimilated in our system. Some supplements are inorganic, hard to digest let alone assimilate. Common minerals that are often needed are magnesium, calcium, potassium, organic sulphur and sodium. These are all alkaline minerals which helps other mineral absorptions. There are many more minerals that we need, but it depends on each individual as to what is depleted at the time.
If superfoods or minerals are not enough due to a more serious condition, then prescribed herbs are also recommended. Herbs or combinations of herbs have a synergistic effect on the body thereby helps the body to heal faster.
Matcha Green Tea Powder - a potent Superfood!
Matcha green tea powder is a potent superfood of this century. Traditionally consumed by the Samurai and Zen Buddhist monk centuries ago, notably for the benefits of the body, mind and soul. It was consumed to assist them to focus on their hours of meditation, keeping them energised and giving them vitality at the same time.
Many coffee consumers are switching to Matcha for sustained energy without adverse impact on the body like regular coffee has, namely the adrenals.
It is mainly grown in the rolling hills of Kyoto, Japan under organically certified, specially shaded conditions to increase chlorophyll production; ensuring it is utmost chemical free and filled with nutrients.
What is Matcha?
It is 100% organic green tea leaves ground into a fine powder form so that the entire leave is consumed. Compared to regular green tea where the leaves seep in hot water then discarded, Matcha powder includes the entire leaf so it is consumed whole giving you all the nutrients. To prevent nutrient loss, the young leaves are grounded between two granite stones in a controlled environment. As soon as the grounding is done, it is immediately vacuum sealed for freshness.
Nutritional value of Matcha
Matcha contains half the amount of caffeine compared to coffee. Unlike coffee, it has the amino acid called L-theanine which creates a slower release of its caffeine into the bloodstream so therefore energy boosts last longer, plus there is no high and low dip from regular coffee caffeine. People who are sensitive to caffeine find they can drink matcha due to this L-theanine. L-theanine also increases cognitive function of the brain, yet calms and relax the mind hence its popular use by the monks. This unique caffeine has no side effects on your adrenals while at the same time regulates your insulin and blood glucose levels, making it ideal for diabetics or for weight control. Matcha does not give you the jitters or crash from too much caffeine like regular coffee does.
Matcha green tea powder outperforms other powerful antioxidants such as blueberries or pomegranates by up to 20 times.
Matcha contains 60% catechins which is a potent antioxidant component. Catechins are widely recognized as a cancer fighting property. Matcha is also rich in chlorophyll for detoxifying, vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and fibre. One cup of matcha is equivalent to 10 cups of regular green tea.
The difference between regular green tea and Matcha is that Matcha has 137 times more antioxidants and grown under special shades to increase its chlorophyll production.
Benefits of Matcha
Immunity – research indicates it has a stronger antioxidant effect than other types of superfoods like blueberries, pomegranates or regular green tea. This antioxidant boosts immunity and fights free radicals which causes inflammation, tissue damage, ageing plus many other disorders of the body.
Metabolism – The 60% catechins antioxidant (notably epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG) helps metabolism by stabilising blood glucose; enhancing weight loss, and great as a stabiliser for diabetics.
Increase energy and focus – the amino acid L-theanine is unique in matcha to help increase alpha waves in the brain to promote calmness, yet it also increase focus, alertness without the stress on the adrenals. Unlike coffee caffeine, matcha does not have side effects on the adrenals therefore does not create the coffee withdrawal syndrome.
How much to use
It is recommended to consume ½ to 1 teaspoon daily, more or less depending on the individual. Matcha is very versatile. It can be drunk with hot water as in tea, latte, or cold smoothies. It can also be added to cooking, baking, sweets, or sprinkled over food or other ways you can imagine. It is best to drink it daytime to give you optimal energy and focus for the day. It is best to store matcha in the fridge to lengthen the shelf life and retain its freshness, but not essential.
Make a conscious health decision and include Matcha or any of the Superfoods in your diet daily and it will be one of the very best things you can do for your body!
All Superfoods, supplements or herbs are available at this healing centre.
There is also a personal Healing with Wholefoods session available for further discussions on what is recommended individually (see Services section).