Fermentation is the process by which one substance is broken down into simpler, more basic substances that are easier for the body to process making them more bioavailable. The catalyst for fermentation is normally lactic acid, yeast, bacteria, and/or enzymes. During this process B vitamins can be created and helps your body’s microbiome to produce also the Bs and as well, vitamin K. Fermented supplements are especially helpful for those who are suffering from digestive issues as they increase the good bacteria in your microbiome. This can help mood and support your overall health, as the nutrients in fermented foods are more easily available. Therefore, they may be more effective.
Soy is a great food/supplement to add to your diet. In addition to all the nutrients it contains, soy also contains anti-nutrients. These anti-nutrients prevent your body from absorbing essential minerals and trace elements and many times release unwanted agents that contribute to disease. Unfortunately, cooking will not destroy these anti-nutrients. Only the fermenting process will.
When you ferment a food, you’re basically using beneficial microbial cultures to pre-digest it. Those cultures transform large, hard-to-digest molecules into small, easy-to-digest ones. Not only that, fermented soy also reduces its allergic qualities. (Soy is one of the most common food allergens.) According to two published research papers, tests in samples of human blood showed that when soy is fermented, its potential to produce an allergic reaction is reduced by as much as 99 percent. The most important benefit of fermenting though, is that the process is thought to convert certain phyto-nutrients, into their active anti-cancer forms, genistein and daidzein. Both genistein and daidzein are powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents that have been shown in voluminous laboratory studies to work in multiple ways against cancer. Soybeans contain numerous cancer-fighting compounds that work synergistically so it is necessary to keep the whole food intact rather than isolate the genistein and diadzein as stand-alone supplements.
Fermented soy also has an incredible anti-inflammatory ability. Since most disease is caused by inflammation in the body this is a needed food to keep the body healthy. A mountain of evidence shows that populations who eat fermented soy regularly (tempe, miso, fermented soy powder) have lower rates of breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. Raw soybeans, tofu, soymilk are examples of unfermented soy products. These have an enzyme that prevents conversion of the soy into digestible form and therefore may not have the health-creating effect we see in fermented soy. The enzyme is disabled in the fermenting process thereby enabling the release of health-giving properties. When paired with anti-inflammatories such as curcumin, we have a super beneficial addition to our natural medicine cabinet.
Extracted from the book Prevent Cancer, Strokes, Heart Attacks and other Deadly Killers by Dr. Vijaya Nair. Go to www.foreveryoungcooperative.com to read about the Jiva Extra fermented soy powder with curcumin and medicinal mushrooms.
Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a breakdown product of the essential amino acid methionine. If your levels are high you may be at risk for coronary problems, cancer, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, kidney disease, hypothyroidism and reduced physical performance in older women. High levels also have been linked to aging eye disease such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Even if you are not an athlete building muscle, you still may need a protein supplement. Vegetarians are always looking for a non-animal protein and some supplements have emerged to fit in that criteria.
Fiber is the super sponge in the body. When the liver processes carcinogenic toxins out of the blood they end up in the gut. In order to completely eliminate them from the body, something in the gut must absorb them. Enter: fiber!
Since collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, it provides structure to skin, muscles, bone and connective tissue. But it lessens in abundance as we age decreasing by 1% per year after the age of 20. The body’s ability to produce collagen starts decreasing at 2% per year after age 30. We know that collagen is used to help with wrinkle control, sagging skin, brittle nails and hair as well as joint problems, but did you know it also can help with leaky gut?
So many women suffering with menopause. That’s why I wrote my book Aaargh! Menopause. I still deal with post-menopause symptoms which have been mostly eliminated through various supplements, but many of my friends who are at that age are complaining about hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, loss of interest in sex, joint pain and more. They just ask me… when does this stop?
In order for your body to burn food for fuel it must have a healthy thyroid to kickstart the process. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine and convert it into thyroid hormones. Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3 and T4 which then released into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body to control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy).
Anti-Aging Lady 