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The following article first appeared in the Health Sciences Institute, a monthly publication that features reports on the very latest breakthrough natural remedies.
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How A Unique Blend Of Compounds - From Soil Based Organisms To Seaweed - Can Boost Your Immunity And Defend You From ill Health

Over the years HSI has brought you countless cutting-edge reports on the very latest natural remedies that can protect you from ill health and allow you to enjoy life to the full. That's why HSI panel member Paula Bartimeus was so excited to discover a brand new product called Natures Living Superfood, which is made up of many of the remedies we've reported on in past issues.

In fact, it contains over 30 active ingredients in total, each of which is backed up by a wealth of research that attests to their individual therapeutic powers. So you can probably imagine just how effective these ingredients are combined in a single formula.

Natures Living Superfood can be broken down into five main categories; land vegetables, sea vegetables, micro-algae, enzymes and soil bacteria. All of which offer an excellent way to maintain overall good health, as they help strengthen and regulate many important bodily processes.

The land vegetables contained in Natures Living Superfood alone include a wealth of beneficial ingredients, such as wheat and barley grass, which are a good source of minerals, trace elements, vitamins, protein and enzymes.

According to Dr Gillian McKeith, author of 'Living Food for Health' (Piatkus), grasses like these improve energy levels, protect cell tissue, and remove pollutants from the body including heavy metals like mercury. Wheat and barley grass also contain chlorophyll, which helps to oxygenate your blood and boost your red blood cell count - this is important for preventing iron deficiency anaemia.

Powdered green juices, such as spinach, kale, broccoli and parsley, have also been added to the formula because they contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, as well as numerous phytonutrients (plant chemicals) which act as potent anti-cancer agents. Other ingredients, such as dandelion and burdock, work to aid detoxification; while nopal cactus, which you may remember reading about in your April 2003 edition of HSI, provides a rich source of dietary fibre that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Icelandic kelp and Nova Scotia dulse, both seaweeds obtained from unpolluted waters, are a mine of minerals. These include calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron - important for many aspects of good health such as strong bones and nails, healthy looking hair, and red blood cell function. In fact, plants from the sea contain more minerals than any other food source.

Dulse is particularly high in iron and kelp is an excellent source of iodine, which is required for proper thyroid function and the maintenance of normal body metabolism.

Nature's Living Superfood contains two forms of micro-algae called spirulina and chlorella - both of which are renowned and highly valued for their remarkable nutritional profile. Both contain high amounts of protein, iron and beta-carotene (important for skin and mucous membranes), along with many other vitamins.

Spirulina is also one of the richest sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is a precursor to hormone-like substances made in your body called prostaglandins that help regulate many different functions in your body, such as your immune system. Spirulina also contains mucopolysaccharides - complex sugars essential for the maintenance of connective tissue and healthy joints.

Chlorella contains an abundant supply of fatty acids and 20 per cent of these are omega 3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in heart health and mental function.

There are more than 40 strains of 'friendly' bacteria, including SBOs, present in Nature's Living Superfood 'Friendly' bacteria that live in your bowel aid your digestive system, produce specific vitamins, hormones and natural antibiotics, and protect your body against infection.

Recently, scientists have discovered that soil-based organisms (SBOs) - beneficial bacteria derived from the soil and food chain - can help fight digestive tract disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and colitis.

Finally, the enzymes in Nature's Living Superfood - including amylase, lipase, protease, cellulose, papain and bromelain - have been included to enhance the assimilation of the other ingredients contained in the formula and also to aid the digestion and absorption of food. Bromelain was the subject of an article in the October 2002 edition of HSI, as it has been clinically proven to ease joint pain and discomfort.

"…It is not only helping my bones but gives me lots of energy and a feeling of general well-being"

Gunilla Nordquist, an interior designer from London, experienced excellent results after taking Nature's Living Superfood, which was recommended to her by her acupuncturist.

Gunilla was only too happy to give the product a try in the hope that it might bring some relief from her osteoporosis, which she was diagnosed with following a bone mass check six years ago.

Not wanting to resort to hormone therapy as recommended by her GP, she decided instead to take Nature's Living Superfood. Since then, she has had a bone mass reading every year and levels have remained stable. This year however, Gunilla got some good news.

"I went for my annual bone scan and was informed that my bone mass had increased by 4.5 per cent," Gunilla said. "My GP was very surprised but dismissed the fact that it might be due to the nutritional supplement I have been taking. However, I know that it is down to Nature's Living Superfood and I plan to continue to take it long term because it is not only helping my bones but gives me lots of energy and a feeling of general well-being."

It is likely that the unique combination of nutrients in Nature's Living Superfood helped increase Gunilla's bone mass, but in particular the green juice powders, sea plants and grasses - all rich sources of calcium and magnesium - would probably have played a significant role. Also, horsetail, a herb which is rich in silica, is important for strong bones.

The recommended dosage for Nature's Living Superfood is half a teaspoon each day. This can be increased to one teaspoon over several weeks. It can be taken mixed with water or fruit juice or sprinkled on food such as breakfast cereal of yoghurt.