Superfoods in the uk

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Permalink Reply by Paddy on January 8, 2009 at 6:29pm

Hi Joshua my favourite spirulina is the one that healthforce puts out http://www.healthforce.com/product-spirulina.html. I buy mine from http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=....
Other spirulinas which might work well for you are http://www.xynergy.co.uk/XynergySite/product/BSO100P.htm which is organic and http://www.vibrationalgaiarising.com/p/325405/spirulina-grown-in-ha.... Ive also tried the spirulina from http://www.naturallygreen.co.uk/organic-spirulina-powder-1kg-p-69.h...

Try them all and see which works best for you. If I was you I would choose the healthforce brand because of the reputation they have for quality standards with there products.

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Permalink Reply by Helena on January 9, 2009 at 5:41am

Hi Joshua
I don't know about 'best quality' but Tree-Harvest are a great ethical UK company that sell the most economical superfoods, including spirulina, as well as plant essences etc. And the people who work there are lovely. 01531 650 764
enquiries@tree-harvest.com

xx Helena

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Permalink Reply by VOID on January 9, 2009 at 6:15am

Hey Joshua,

I would question whether you really need spirulina. It contains a B12 Analogue, which could lead to deficiency. An analogue is something that looks like the right nutrient, but doesnt really do the job of the nutrient. The problem is its not only that it doesnt contain active b12, but it can actually prevent you from uptaking the real deal.

Think of it like a lock and key. The real B12 is like a key that fits perfectly into a lock, turns, and opens the door. Analogue B12 fits perfectly into the lock, turns and snaps in the lock and doesnt open the door...so the analogue cant get out, and the active B12 cant get in either.

Perhaps you might think that this is only one negative against a host of positives, but its an important point, since B12 is a crucial nutrient, without which we can develop irreversible neurological damage.

The real superfoods are organic fruits and vegetables. Anything that comes in a powder form or a plastic container, or a packet is not usually very super at all. Infact any super benefits that it might ever have had are likely gone. A dried food is a refined food. Many people dont think of water as a nutrient, but infact it is, and a very important one at that. People realise that nutrients work synergistically and hence whole foods are better, when they think of isolated supplements, like magnesium, on its own. But dont seem to realise that just as there are consequences when you remove lots of nutrients, there are consequences when you remove one nutrient. Removing the water from a food changes how the body recognises and processes the food. Some ways, with some foods, we know how, some ways, we do not yet.

And yet one thing we do know for 100% certain, is that whole foods, are consistently better for us than refined foods, because they contain all the ingredients, all the nutrients, in exactly the right ratio's that nature designed them with, because we know that nature designed them with that composition for a reason.

Anything that gets hyped as a new "superfood", whether its maca, which affects hormones, (something which I think we should never play around with), or cacao, which adversely affects the adrenal glands, cardiovascular system and nervous system, or fish oil, which contains toxins, makes our bodys lazy and synthesising our own EPA/DHA from ALA is always caused by marketing hype. Also known as brainwashing ie. Telling you what to think you want and need. Because these things always miss the bigger picture. Of course some things might have high nutrient levels. But its about how the body processes it, and the nutritional imbalances placed upon the body as a result. Thats what makes the difference. More is not always better, and sometimes the negatives really do outweight the nutritional profile they come with.

Just something for you to think about anyway...could save you a few pennies, which you could then spend on the real health foods...fruits and vegetables.

Take care

Adam x

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Permalink Reply by VOID on January 9, 2009 at 2:05pm

I offer 2 suggestions Levke, depending on personal preference.

If you are eating a 100% organic, low fat raw vegan diet, consume no alcohol, cigarettes, caffiene or recreational or pharmaceutical drugs, are getting enough calories, vitamins, minerals, protein etc, are exercising regularly and getting plenty of sunlight, I recommend either:

1) Dont supplement B12 straight away. Get your B12, MMA, and full blood count levels checked 2x per year for the first 5 years. If you dont get any reductions in any of these numbers, and they all remain healthy, continue not to supplement, but get your blood levels checked 1x year. If after 10 years theyre still good, consider reducing check-ups to every 2 years. Or keep 1x year for safety if you prefer.

2) Get your B12, MMA and full blood count levels checked every year, and take a B12 supplement all the same. The dosage would depend on your medical history really.

Either way I recommend getting these things checked regularly for safety.

If you are not eating a 100% organic low fat raw vegan diet, and/or occassionally consume alcohol, caffiene, cigarettes or recreational or pharmaceutical drugs, I suggest supplementing.

Rick Dina did suggest that chlorella may possibly not be an analogue but this was just a brief couple of month test he did on himself. He was clear that spirulina definately did not work. I would want to hear about multiple cases in the long term to be more convinced of this.

Take care

Adam x

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Permalink Reply by Emma on January 9, 2009 at 4:01pm

I don't know whether it's the best in town but I order my superfoods from Kate Wood's raw living site and most of the time I'm tuned to the moon. I take that as a good sign :)

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