Benefits of Green Superfood Drinks

Q. What are the benefits of taking a green superfood drink? If I already eat enough vegetables, are they necessary? I've heard some brands contain mostly fillers such as rice bran and lecithin. Which do you think is the best one in terms of the combination between nutritional density, taste, and price. I've tried a couple that just tasted like swamp water.

A. Green superfood drinks provide additional antioxidant support and nutrients to help aid the body's protection of cellular damage, and the nutrients are important to support the liver's detoxification process. Overall, these greens help the body maintain a more alkaline pH, which results in lowered risk for disease and lessens the burden of many of our organs to function in a healthier way. Enzymes that are provided in these green drinks help clean up unnecessary waste products and reduce inflammation in the body which can burden the body's overall health over time.

One of our favorites is PaleoGreens because it is made from mostly certified organic ingredients. This comes in lemon-lime or mint flavors. Both are tasty, and sweetened with stevia. The fact that most of the ingredients in this are certified organic is reflected in the price. Design's for Health reports one serving has equivalent antioxidant capacity to 4 servings of vegetables, based on ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity), a USDA-developed method for measuring antioxidant activity.

This is some further information from DFH: "Unlike other greens products, we never add fillers or bulking agents (such as whole grasses, apple fiber or pectin, rice bran, or flax), which can greatly dilute nutritional potency and are a potential source of genetically modified material. Because the cellulose fiber in whole grass is indigestible, it prevents the grass’s valuable phytonutrients from being released in the digestive system." and "No alfalfa, a common ingredient in all other leading brands (which has been shown to cause autoimmune disease)"

Please see the link I've included for this product and to read our many customer reviews. PaleoGreens does contain organic rice flour and unbleached lecithin.

NanoGreens is also a nice greens mix. You get more powder for the money, but it doesn't contain as many certified organic ingredients as PaleoGreens, though many are. There is only one flavor, and it has a mild taste and it is also sweetened with stevia. BioPharma Scientific states that NanoGreens supply the proven phytonutrition / antioxidant power of up to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables of all the colors. This is based on their independent lab test for ORAC values.

NanoGreens does not contain alfalfa either, but it does contain rice bran and lecithin. Both companies are very careful about their formulation techniques and are quality products.

This being said, it is great you are eating vegetables, current ADA recommendations are 9-13 servings daily of fruit and veggies for better health. This is a lot of servings, but if you do not get this in your diet, then you may want to consider supplementing with one of these greens products to get the additional nutritional support.

What supplements are suggested for either a vegan or solely a carnivore?

Q. What supplements do you recommend for someone who doesn't eat any fruits or vegetables at all? What supplements do you recommend for someone who doesn't eat meat?

A. You will absolutely feel a difference by incorporating a few great products into your daily routine! Here are the ones I recommend for you guys to read about and start with:

1. PaleoGreens by DFH: Take one Tablespoon in water each day. I start every morning with this one either in water or mixed with the Paleomeal Whey Protein.
2. Paleomeal Whey Protein: (see smoothie recipes online- they taste great)

Additionally, adding in Omega 3s will make a huge improvement to your health, immune system, brain, energy, etc. Fish oils are the most powerful nutritional supplement in existence. The benefits are remarkable!

Omega Marine Liquid: Add 1 Tbsp to your Paleomeal smoothie each day. You won't taste it- it's not fishy at all. Or you can mix it into anything else like yogurt or applesauce. I personally take it right off the spoon and chase it down with a drink.

And, when you are ready, you should also start taking a good multi-vitamin every day. Here is one which is easy for beginners since it's only 1 twice daily: Twice Daily Multi by DFH (take one with meals twice daily)

Can I mix St. Johns Wort & 5htp? Will Osteoforce help if getting enough calcium?

Q. Is it okay to use St. John's Wort by Professional Solutions and 5htp Synergy by Designs for Heath together? Also, is Osteoforce is enough calcium for me; I currently take the Twice Daily multi vitamin and I get plenty of it in my diet.

A. St. Johns and 5HTP both work to naturally elevate your seretonin levels. Have you found that taking each one alone is not sufficient to elevate your mood or lower your anxiety or cravings? If so, then taking them together may in fact be the solution. Some practitioners recommend both these products for their patients who have either depression, anxiety, or food craving. Yet it is always good to try taking the least amount possible to get the desired effect. Some people need more help getting seretonin levels up than others. I have not heard of negative side-effects from taking both together.

Osteoforce is a very complete bone formula and taking 4 per day is sufficient for you. There is no cal/mag/vit D in Twice Daily Multi, so you would need to take OsteoForce in addition. Most people think they are getting plenty of calcium and minerals in their diet because they drink milk, but they are not since milk and dairy is very acidic and interferes with absorption of minerals into the bones. Best sources for bone building minerals are dark green veggies including broccoli, kale, chard, and spinach. Also, wheat grass juice.

What are your top priorities for nutrients?

Q. What are your top priorities for nutrients?

A. The Basics:
Twice Daily Essential Packets by DFH
FiPro Ground Organic Flax Seeds by Oakmont Labs
Probiotic Synergy by DFH (if you have some gastrointestinal complaints)
The Energy Trio

These work great synergistically, but you can start with one and gradually add the others over time if you feel you'd like more energy or you want to include them for heart health.

Carnitine Synergy capsules by DFH
CoQ10 Q-Avail 60mg by DFH
Lipoic Acid Supreme by DFH

Brain Nutrients: Brain Vibrance
Robert Crayhon created a packet which contains everything your brain could possibly need to keep working optimally. It's called Brain Vibrance. Excellent product which I take during conferences and when I'm under stress.

If your mind has a hard time relaxing and needs to be calmed, skip the Brain Vibrance and focus on GABA neurotransmitter and Sedivitax herbs which include Valerian and Passionflower

My 12 yo eats only carbs, can you please suggest a non powder protein supplement

Q. What would you suggest as a protein supplement for my 12 yr old son who eats only carbs and refuses to eat protein? He will swallow pills but doesn't like protein powders.

A. Ideally, you should work on getting your son to start eating some protein rich foods. Some ways you can do this are:

• egg fortified pancakes or muffins
• yogurt with fruit and nuts
• almond butter
• fried rice with extra egg
• cream soups using whole milk.

Of course, chicken, fish, and red meats are healthy too. One thing I have found true in children who do not eat proteins is that it often stems from a deficiency of healthy bacteria in the gut. Since the gut is essential to digest protein, children who are deficient literally cannot digest protein, and therefore refuse it. Lack of good bacteria is caused by lack of breastfeeding and antibiotics or other meds. Is this applicable?

Try giving him HLC High Potency Probiotics by Pharmax to restore his gut function. It tastes very good and is administered as a powder with excellent compliance by children. (give him 1/4 tsp. twice daily to begin. Retry protein foods in small quantities to find out if he tolerates them better in about 1-2 weeks)

For now, since your son will not take any protein powders, here is a capsule supplement that he would do well on: Enteric Amino Complex by Pharmax 90 caps

Depending on how his protein needs (based on weight, health level, and physical activity), he would need about 8-10 capsules 2x per day between meals. You will need about 1 bottle per week.

What constitutes Protein, and can you suggest a protein product for lap band?

Q. I had lap-band surgery and was told protein is what I need to focus on. What constitutes PROTEIN? Any advice?

A. Protein is extremely important to all aspects of life! All of our tissue, enzymes and hormones come from protein. As well our brain function and immune systems depend on daily intake of protein. Protein comes from animal foods primarily such as fish, eggs, poultry, meat, and dairy. There are small amounts of protein in grains/vegetables, but not enough to consider these a good source.

Because your surgery limits the volume of food you can consume, you need to focus on getting very nutrient/protein dense foods as much as possible. You should also be taking a good, easily absorbed multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acid supplement. These are nutrients you are most likely deficient in. I also highly recommend taking HLC Probiotics to help maximize digestion and absorption of your nutrients!

Supplement recommendations:

• HLC Intensive probiotics by Pharmax—1 cap/day with food.
• Complete Multi Caps by DFH—2 caps three time daily with meals
• Finest Pure Fish Oils by Pharmax—1 tsp daily with food
• PaleoMeal Protein Powder by DFH—this is excellent protein powder which you can use to make a smoothie or fortify other foods with (like baked goods, pancakes, etc.) 1-2 scoops per day or as desired.
• Protein Bars—these are delicious and healthy protein bars. A great snack and substitute for cookies or other junk food.