SUPERFOODS AND WEIGHT LOSS: They keys to your success

By Bonnie Pockley

Everyone whose every tried to lose weight will know that weight loss can be difficult and boring. It’s easy to get frustrated, dejected and defeated. Using Superfoods to lose weight, however, is fun and relatively easy when it’s done holistically. 

Lets take a look at the three elements that are essential to weight loss:

Detoxification:

If you’ve been eating badly, if you eat non-organic meats, unwashed vegies or if you live in a city, your body will be burdened by toxins. If your organs are taxed, your body’s processes of elimination will be compromised and these nasties will be stored in your fat. As most toxins are fat soluble, your body will lay down extra fat stores to ‘house’ extra waste that can’t be metabolised. Toxins, therefore, cannot only make you gain weight but set in motions imbalances in hormonal and digestive function that have broader implications on your ability to lose weight but also in your energy levels.

So what do we do?  TAKE MSM!

TONIC SUPERFOODS' MSM is one of the best agents of detoxification. If you’ve been reading our blog or website you’d already know what we’re talking about. MSM is a naturally occurring sulphur that has both a supportive effect on the boy’s tissue membranes as well as a ‘drawing’ effect on toxins. MSM synthesises collagen that makes cell membrane’s stronger but also more permeable allowing nutrition to enter body tissue and toxin laden fat to flow out. MSM also clears stagnant bile from your liver: the organ responsible for the metabolism of fats and the filtration of what you ingest. MSM is an absolute must for weight loss.

MSM

· Detoxifies cells

· Detoxifies liver

· Increases metabolism of fats

· Synthesises collagen to strengthen cell membranes (this means glowing skin too!)

· Improves digestive function

· Improves immunity

Click here to buy MSM

Hormonal balance:

Hormonal imbalance has an ENORMOUS effect on weight gain. Cortisol, Insulin and Oestrogen are particularly culpable. Cortisol is the ‘stress’ hormone that may be released by environmental, emotional or even physical stressors. Prolonged exercise can even increase levels of cortisol leading to an increase of fat stored around your belly. Oestrogen, similar, stores weight in a particular way. Increased levels of Xenoestrogens (industrial compounds that act like oestrogen in the body but are artificial and unable to be metabolised) lead to weight gain in the lower parts of the body (legs, thigh, hips) and in the bicep area of the arm. Xenoestrogens are toxic to our systems and have been linked to the development of endometriosis, breast cancer and cysts. Xenoestrogens also increase the level of naturally occurring Oestrogen in the body producing what is known as Oestrogen Dominance. Oestrogen Dominance leads to a ‘pudgy’, ‘soft’ appearance because the dominance of this hormone compounds water retention and weight gain. Xenoestrogens are found in plastic wrap, cleaning products and of course it is contained in the contraceptive pill. Oestrogen itself can be found in many foods including tofu, soy, soymilk, chickpeas, non-organic meats and many more.

Insulin is another hormone responsible for weight gain when out of balance. Insulin is secreted when we eat to instigate energy uptake by our cells. To control weight, our insulin levels must be evenly maintained and the GI index system was developed as a way of understanding the ‘spiking’ effect of high sugar foods of our insulin levels. The higher the sugar content of food, the greater the release of insulin which also leads to the greater the amount of energy stored in our bodies as fat. Maintaining these levels in also an important part of preventing diabetes and hyperglycaemia. (high blood sugar levels)

What can you take to balance out fluctuation hormone levels in your body from a variety of different sources?  MACA.

TONICSUPERFOODS' Maca is a root vegetable that naturally balances your endocrine system. Maca is an ‘adaptogen’ so it redresses balance where imbalance exists within the human body. Because the endocrine and central nervous systems are cyclical in nature and are based on fluctuating levels, Maca balances out excessive hormonal levels without negative effect. This means is combats high levels of Cortisol, Oestrogen and regulates Insulin release.  Maca also contains high levels of essential minerals including selenium, calcium, magnesium and iron as well as much needed quantities of linolenic, palmitic, oleic acids, fatty and amino acids. If you have a lot of weight to lose, Maca will also assist in skin elasticity and the ability of your skin to adjust quickly to the weight loss.

MACA

· Contains a high level of nutrition

· Balances out adverse levels of cortisol, oestrogen and insulin

· Supports your endocrine and central nervous systems

· Helps to manage stress

Click here to buy MACA

Nutrition:

The final, but one of the most important components of weight-loss is nutrition. Today’s food lacks the mineral and vitamin content is once had. Depleted soils through increased harvesting and farming mean that our food literally lacks vitality and nourishment. Unfortunately, we still require the same recommended dietary intake of nutrition that we always have and yet it seems unavailable to us through ordinary means. Our body’s regulation of food is, to a large extent, based on blood levels of nutrition and when they are inadequate we crave more food. This means we eat more. Good nutrition also means we don’t store excess weight.  In order to avoid cravings, excess weight from ‘empty’ food we needs to supplement our diets with Superfoods: nutrient rich foods.

Two of the best of these are TONIC SUPERFOODS BEE POLLEN and TONIC SUPERFOODS RAW CACAO.  

Cacao is the richest food source of magnesium and with an anti-oxidant (ORAC) score of 95500 – 14 times more than red wine – it is also the richest source of antioxidants and bioflavonoid. High levels of sulphur in Cacao act in a similar way to MSM by detoxifying the liver and supporting silicon synthesis. Assisting in immunity, tissue regeneration and protection as well as balancing brain chemistry and function, the benefits of Cacao in your diet also extends from a physical to an emotional level: Cacao contains Amantadine (the bliss chemical), Phenyl ethylamine (PEA – the chemical released when we are in love) and MAO inhibitors (suppress appetite and release serotonin). 

When you feel good, you find it easier to train, easier to reach your goals and easier to keep going with your dietary plans. Bee Pollen contains all 10 essential amino acids (but up to 22 depending on plant origin), 59 trace minerals and is about 20% protein. As a complete protein, Bee Pollen is favourably comparable to equal weights of meat, eggs and cheese with 5-7 times more bioavailable protein and amino acid content. This makes Bee Pollen an ideal component to nuts both gastronomically and as a high protein on-the-go snack.  Bee Pollen also contains high levels of B vitamins (used directly in energy production) as well as significant levels of Calcium, Chloride, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon and Sulphur. It also has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-histamine effect on the body. Both are excellent forms of comprehensive nutrition.

CACAO

· Is the richest food source of magnesium

· Contains sulphur which not only detoxifies the body but is used in most of its processes

· Is high in bioflavonoids

· Is the richest food source of antioxidants with an ORAC value of 99500

Click here to buy RAW CACAO

BEE POLLEN:

· High in Protein

· Contains significant levels of vitamin B, calcium, Chloride, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon and Sulphur.

· Contains all essential amino acids (the building blocs of all cells)

· Has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial and an anti-histamine effect on the body.

Click here to buy BEE POLLEN

Achieve balance with Maca.

By Bonnie Pockley

Lepidium Meyenii or ‘Maca’ is an extraordinary root vegetable that originates in Peru. Sometimes known as Peruvinium because of the locality of where it grows, all parts of the Maca plant have been used and continue to be used in traditional Peruvian cooking and culture. It is the root, however, that is used medicinally in the Andes and by practitioners of alternative medicine worldwide. Maca is available over the counter in health food stores except in Norway where a prescription is required to obtain it.

Maca is considered to be an ‘Adoptogen’. Adaptogens are a class of natural substances that have a ‘normalising effect’ on the body and its processes. While this should make Maca incredibly broad reaching in its medicinal application, it is mostly used to assist the regulation of the endocrine system and to increase stamina and endurance. Used in large quantities by Incan men before battle to increase their strength and endurance, Maca made powerful soldiers into formidable warriors but also left them in a state of such heightened sexual desire that its use was prohibited immediately after battle to protect the Incan women. Indeed, Maca is both a powerful tonic for sexual function as well as being both energizing and sustaining. According to several independent studies, its use had proven results of increasing semen quality, motility and quantity in men as well as increasing their levels of sexual desire and overall sexual activity. Maca has been used successfully in trials to decrease enlarged prostates and may therefore be said to assist in preventing and possibly supporting the treatment of disease relating to prostate.

Maca and women
Maca, however, does not directly affect hormone levels. While it has been said to treat conditions ranging from acne to endometriosis, it is the high nutritional level of Maca that supports the endocrine system by nourishing its function and indirectly producing such promising results. Maca contains high levels of essential minerals including selenium, calcium, magnesium and iron as well as much needed quantities of linolenic, palmitic, oleic acids, fatty and amino acids. The supplementation of Maca, therefore, is enormously beneficial to women suffering from anemia, menstrual cramps, brittle hair and nails, stress, acne, skin condition and low energy. Simply put, Maca is of great benefit for both general use and specific but common complaints. For serious or continuous conditions Maca should be used in a supportive capacity only and in conjunction with medical examination and treatment.

How to use Maca
Using Maca is fun. Maca has a slightly nutty taste making it a wonderful and simple addition to Super Smoothies. Other alternatives include adding it to hot chocolate made from unhomoginized, (ideally) unpasturized milk, raw cacao and brown sugar or alternative natural sugar substitutes. Add together according to your taste but I’d recommend no more than a teaspoon of Maca per person or per cup as it is very strong and has some side effects which I will mention below. Another lovely way to include Maca in your diet is as a flour alternative (if you cook with flour) or on special occasions when you want a healthier version of a chocolate cake.

My favourite is a flourless chocolate cake using the following -
250g of almond or hazelnut meal
3 eggs
I cup of milk,
a pinch of baking powder
6 tablespoons of raw cocoa
1 heaped tablespoon of Tonic Superfoods Maca Powder
1 cup of brown sugar.

Just mix the ingredients all together, place in a greased square cake tin, sprinkle with cinnamon, cocoa, brown sugar and cardamon and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes. Otherwise, melt raw chocolate over the top and decorate with fresh strawberries.
People have told me this is the best cake they have ever eaten. Little do they know it is probably one of the most nutritious too!

Caution with Maca
Maca is strong and should be used wisely. While is has no toxicity, some wisdom and caution is required when supplementing your diet with it. Maca is high in carbohydrate (approximately 60%), which means that it is high in sugars. Maca also exerts an energizing effect on the central nervous system. If you are trying to lose weight, supplement Maca in the morning as you will burn the extra energy during the day but if you participate in hard labour or athletics during the day, taking Maca at night will help your body recover lost levels of glucose and glycogens from physical stress. These are both needed for muscle repair. Do not take Maca just before going to bed as it has a stimulant effect and can lead to insomnia. Maca has high levels of Iodine so consult your doctor before taking it if you suffer from any thyroid condition. Apart from these simple guidelines, enjoy using Maca at a recommended level of intake of approximately 1 – 4 teaspoons a day and consult a professional practitioner if you are in any doubt of its use.

Maca powder is available from Tonic Superfoods.