Green Monster

Green food supplements are something I often recommend to my patients and something that I take regularly myself.  Is it possible to eat enough green foods to not need a green food supplement per se?  Of course, but it can be hard to get enough vegetables throughout an average day.  Ideally, 50% (or more!) of your daily food intake should be vegetables and at least half of these should be dark green such as kale, broccoli, alfalfa.  If you look at your plate for lunch and dinner especially, can you say that 50% is plant based and that half again of that is dark green in color?

Green food supplements are also highly alkalinizing to the body and there is increasing evidence that an alkaline pH is highly beneficial to your overall health and longevity.  In particular an alkaline body pH has been proven to:

• improve bone health
• reduce muscle wasting
• mitigate chronic diseases such as hypertension and stroke
• increase growth hormone which can increase heart health, memory and cognition
• increase intracellular Magnesium which is required for the function of many enzyme systems in the body
• Activate Vitamin D which has anti-cancer effects, can improve bone health and improve immunity
• increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy agents during cancer treatment
• decrease inflammation and the effects of stress on the body

In short, an alkaline diet can be facilitated by regular green food supplementation and can improve health, wellbeing and longevity by decreasing inflammation, mitigating the effects of stress and actually reducing common chronic diseases. Furthermore, in Chinese Medicine green foods are blood and Qi building.  This means they are especially important during high stress times and, for women, during your menstrual cycle when your Qi and Blood are naturally depleted by life.

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Best Green Food Supplements

Okay, green foods, green food supplements and powders are good, but there are so many, how do you choose?  Here are my two favorites that I carry and recommend in my office:

Biotics Nitrogreens - available in office

Biotics Nitrogreens is a highly alkalinizing formula of the darkest of dark high potency green grasses plus acerola berry to provide a high vitamin C content. Formulated from organic barley grass, wheat grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass and kamut, it has a high chlorophyll content.  In addition, it contains concentrates of organic broccoli sprouts, cauliflower and kale for a high dose of cruciferous vegetables which improve phase 2 detoxification and have anti-cancer and hormonal regulating functions.  Lastly it contains carrot and beet which provide naturally occurring antioxidants for anti-aging and digestive health.  It is the darkest green green drink you will likely ever see, and I personally feel like I get a noticeable energy boost with every cup.

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Innate Renewal Greens - available in office and online via my virtual dispensary

Innate Renewal Greens is my other favorite green food supplement because it contains so much more than just green food.  If you’re looking for an all-in-one health boosting food based formula, this is it.  Innate Renewal Greens contains green grasses and cruciferous vegetables like the Nitrogreens, but also contains additional digestive enzymes, mushroom blend including Reishi, Cordyceps and Shitake (longevity herbs in Chinese Medicine), green tea extract and turmeric for decreasing inflammation, milk thistle, chlorophyll, grape seed extract and probiotics.  Add a simple multivitamin and a fish oil or essential fatty acid supplement, and you have a complete program for long term health and longevity with a minimal quantity of pills and powders.

I personally alternate between these two depending on what is going on in my life.  When I have phases that require burning the candle at both ends between kids/work/family obligations I take the Renewal Greens - if I forget some of my other supplements (as I’m prone to during high stress times) I have a little more coverage with the Innate Renewal Greens.  During lower stress times when I am better with my full compliment of multi vitamin, personalized herbal remedies, probiotics, fish oil, heart health supplements etc, I take the Nitrogreens.  They are more highly concentrated and feel like they have a slightly stronger alkalinizing effect for me.

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Question? Want some Green Food Love? Ask Rebecca!

If you’re curious about knowing more, you can comment here and I’ll respond as quick as I can!  Both of the formulas I mentioned are available in office, or can be ordered and shipped direct to you if you desire - just email me!  Green foods are a great addition to any supplement regime that can only enhance your health and wellbeing.  I often have a container open in the office for sampling too - just ask next time your in!  

Remember that for supplement, acupuncture, general health or facial rejuvenation questions you can always book a free consult or a full acupuncture session online.  Thanks for tuning in! 

Until next time,

~Rebecca