Barley
Barley is a common cereal grain used across the world. It is known to help with bronchitis, diarrhea, gastritis, and inflammatory bowel conditions. It is also used for lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and for weight loss. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition, 98-100) The fiber content of barley is most likely responsible for the observed reduction of cholesterol levels in healthy and hypercholesterolemic people. (J Am Diet Assoc 1994; 94:65-70) Researchers think barley might increase the excretion of bile acids or neutral sterols, increase catabolism of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and reduce fat absorption.(J Am Coll Nutr 2004;23:55-62) It is also believed that barley can lower blood glucose. (BMJ 1988;297:958-60)
Acai
Acai is a fruit found in the Amazon that resembles a grape of a blueberry. It is used for osteoarthritis, hypercholesterolemia, and for improving overall health. It is consumed raw and as a juice. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition, 5-6) The fruit pulp contains proteins and lipids. It also contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, and thiamine. (Magn Reson Imaging 2004;22:389-93) Acai has very high antioxidant activity. It has more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, and blueberry. (J Agric Food Chem 2004;52:1539-45)
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a hot pepper that has been used for centuries as a folk medicine. Cayenne Pepper is used for flatulence, diarrhea, cramps, reducing blood clot tendencies, fever, hyperlipidemia, and preventing arteriosclerosis and heart disease. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition, 257-259) It is known to treat pain topically (Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, 11th ed. Washington DC:Am Pharmaceutical Assn, 1996)
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a grain that has been eaten for hundreds of years in the Far East. China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries have long enjoyed noodles made from buckwheat flour. Buckwheat can also be used for a variety of baked products, including pancakes, breads, muffins, crackers, bagels, cookies, and tortillas among others. Buckwheat is thought of as a cereal, but is actually an herb of the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Buckwheat is used for improving glucose tolerance in patients with diabetes by increasing the sensitivity of beta cells to glucose. (J Agric Food Chem 2001;49:490-6) (Indian J Med Res 1985;81:162-8) It also has reports of having antioxidant activity , possibly through free radical scavenger and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. (J Agric Food Chem 2003;51:1500-5) (Biol Pharm Bull 2001;24:209-13) It also has preliminary studies showing anti-allergenic properties. (Int Immunopharmacol 2003; 3:129-36)
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is just what it sounds like - the seed of the flax plant. It is used for chronic constipation , diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder inflammation, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition 520-522) Flaxseed seems to significantly reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with normal cholesterol levels and in people with high cholesterol levels. (Br J Nutr 1993;69:443-53) (Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:62-8) (J Am Coll Nutr 1993;12:501-4) (Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:395-402). There is also a correlation of reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002;87:1527-32). Flaxseed is used to lower risk of atherschlerosis because it has the ability to reduce platelet aggregation and serum cholesterol. (Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:395-402) (The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO:Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999)
Alfalfa Sprout
Alfalfa is a plant with long history of use around the world as a livestock feed. Middle-Eastern cultures have long used alfalfa as fodder for horses claiming increased speed and strength of the animals and leading to the name "Al-fal-fa" meaning "father of all foods." It is a great source of Vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals such as calcium , potassium, phosphorus, and iron. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition 26-27) The alfalfa leaf contains saponins which appear to decrease plasma cholesterol without creating a change in HDL levels. It also appears to decrease cholesterol absorption and increase the excretion of neutral steroids and bile acids. (Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine:A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK:The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996) (The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO:Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999) It seems to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels. (Atheroschlerosis 1987;65:173-9).
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus Acidophilus is one of three beneficial bacteria found commonly in cultured yogurts. Lactobacillus is generally used for treatment and prevention of diarrhea. Furthermore, it is used for digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel syndrome. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition778-783) There is clinical research that shows that Lactobacillus might enhance the natural immunity within healthy adults. It appears to increase the phagocytic activity in polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes and enhance the natural killer cell. (Nutr Res 2001;21:183-9) (J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20:149-56) There is also preliminary research showing that they have hypolipidemic and antiatheroschlerotic effects. There is limited clinical evidence showing that it can reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with no effect on high-density cholesterol. ( Nutr Res 2002;22:393-403) (Nutr Res 2002;22:71-84) They seem to bind bile acids to cholesterol which results in increased bile acid-cholesterol excretion. They also seem to increase fatty acid production in the intestine which in turn decreases circulatory fatty acids by either inhibiting hepatic cholesterol synthesis or redirecting cholesterol from the plasma to the liver. (Am J Clin Nutr 2001;71:674-81)
Soy
Soy is an ingredient for popular products such as soy milk, tofu and soy sauce. It's health benefits are widely known. Soy is used for hyperlipidemia, menopausal symptoms, preventing osteoporosis, and preventing cardiovascular diseases. It can also be used for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, constipation, diarrhea, and muscle soreness from exercising. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition, 1155-1162) It is most definitely useful against hyperlipidemia. It reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) levels in both hypercholesterolemic and normocholesterolemic men and women. (Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:1375S-9) (Am J Clin Nutr 1998:68:1380S-4) Soybeans are also rich in calcium, iron, potassium, amino acids, vitamins, and fiber. It contains all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities to support human life. (Circulation 2000;102:2555-9) Soy seems to lower blood pressure. (Menopause 2000:7:215-29) It has pharmacological effects that may be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular diseases. (J Nutr 1999;129:758S-67S) Soy may increase bile acid excretion and up regulate the low-density lipoprotein(LDL) receptors. (Circulation 2000;102:2555-9) (J Am Clin Nutr 2000;71:908-13) Soy protein reduces glucose levels due to its fiber content. There is evidence that soy improves glycemic control by inhibiting tyrosine kinase activity, thereby improving the insulin receptor affinity, improving glucose transport and increasing tissue sensitivity to insulin. (Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:1131S-41S)
Garlic
It's not just for warding off vampires anymore – garlic (the stinking rose) has been used for centuries for its reported benefits in promoting heart health and preventing infection. Garlic is used for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, preventing coronary heart disease, preventing age-related vascular changes and atherosclerosis. It is also used for stimulating the immune system. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition 556-561) There is clinical evidence that higher doses of 900 mg per day slow down the development of artherosclerosis in both aortic and femoral arteries when used over a four-year period. ( Atherosclerosis 2000:150:437-8) (Circulation 1997;96:2649-55) (Atherosclerosis 2000:144:237-49) It will decrease total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. (Br J Clin Pract Symp Suppl 1990;69:3-6) (Am J Med 1993;94:632-5) (Ann Intern Med 2000;133:420-9) There is evidence that when garlic is taken orally, it will modestly reduce blood pressure. (J Hypertension 1994;12:463-8) (Pharmacotherpay 1993;13:406-7) Garlic lowers cholesterol by acting as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor-a statin. (Lipids 1996;31:1269-76) (J Nutr 1983;113:1746-55) Garlic also shows antiplatelet properties in both patients with cardiovascular diseases and in healthy volunteers. (J Cardiovasc Pharacol 1998;31:904-8) ( J Nutr 2000;130:2662-5)
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a young plant of the genus Agropyron. Wheatgrass is a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids. It is used for increasing hemoglobin production, improving blood sugar disorders such as diabetes, and preventing bacterial infections. Additionally, it is used to reduce high blood pressure, prevent gray hair, improve digestion, and block intestinal cholesterol absorption. It is also used orally for removing deposits of drugs, heavy metals, and carcinogens from the body and neutralizing toxins, removing toxins from the liver and removing toxins from the bloodstream. (Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, 8th edition 1319-20) It seems to have antibiotic activity. (Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases) It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. (Scand J Gastroenterol 2002;4:444-9)
ONE BONUS FOOD
Green Tea
Green Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world second only to water and has been used medicinally for centuries in East Asia. Green Tea if taken can lower cholesterol and triglycerides, LDL, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL). (BMJ 1995;310:693-6) There is also evidence that green tea can reduce the risk of hypertension. (Arch Intern Med 2004 26;164:1534-40) Green tea is used for weight loss. Early evidence shows that green tea extract rich in EGCG can increase calorie and fat metabolism. (Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:1040-5) (Altern Comp Ther 2000;6:296-300) Green tea can reduce oxidative DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and free radical generation. (Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999;220:249-54) Green tea has anti-inflammatory activity. (J Surg Res 2004;199:138-42)
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