Is food medicine? The answer is a definitive: maybe. The world is increasingly looking toward healthy, natural and organic means to maintain optimal health and even cure ailments. Words like wellness, proactive health management and immune support are all being bandied about with little overall understanding. Get the scoop on superfood vs. smartfood (hyperimmune technology) and find out what you need to know about staying in tiptop health.
Superfoods support overall health. Doctors, mothers, and health-conscious people, as well as alternative, complementary and holistic practitioners, often employ superfoods in their plan for overall health and treatment of illness. Superfoods are usually grains, oils, vegetables and fruits, due to their specific nutrient or fiber content. Superfoods are so full of certain nutrients that they are actually thought by some to prevent or support the cure of some illnesses. Antioxidants such as vitamin C are abundant in citrus fruits. Drinking orange juice to prevent or ease the common cold is nothing new. Fiber has been linked to a decrease in cholesterol in the blood. Additionally, high-density lipids found in good fats like olive oil have been shown to support the reduction of cholesterol in the bloodstream and may even benefit insulin levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Smartfood or hyperimmunity foods are uniquely fortified foods. These smartfoods may cause a biological response, according to a study reported on in the June 2000 issue of Alternative and Complementary Therapies magazine. The study focused on the production of hyperimmune eggs. The laying hens were injected with a strict schedule of proprietary vaccines developed to counteract particular human pathogens. Once the hen lays her special eggs, they are collected and checked for their antibody properties using the standard ELISA test.
Once the eggs have been monitored and have undergone a quality check, they are pasteurized, dried and blended with other ingredients for the purpose of ingestion. These hyperimmune eggs are thought to play a potential role in correcting immune dysfunctions, such as some types of arthritis. Dr. Darryl M. See of the University of California-Irvine observed that passive immunity passed on by the ingestion of the smartfood item delivers the needed antibodies right into the digestive tract -- a typical entry point for many pathogens. While generally not well understood, the ingestion of smartfood or hyperimmunity foods may eventually provide a beneficial response for those dealing with immune disorders and support overall health.
Eating right is fundamental to overall health. Having a sense of control over your wellness provides peace of mind and can produce healthy results. Superfood, smartfood and hyperimmune technology are exciting concepts worth considering, though conventional medicine does not consider food to be medicine, but fuel. As always, consult with your doctor before beginning any new therapy or if you are considering a change to your current medical plan.
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