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Asparagus

Benefits of Asparagus

Asparagus contains a myriad of health benefits. It provides Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, chromium, fiber, iron, copper, and folate. Asparagus is beneficial in preventing diabetes as well as obesity, osteoporosis, and even cancer. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has no fat, is low in calories, and can be eaten raw or cooked. The folic acid helps regulate mood, appetite, digestion, and sleep. It also reduces the risk of birth defects in babies. Asparagus can be eaten raw, however, cooking it actually aids absorption of the many nutrients in the stalks.

Benefits & Effects of Asparagus

Anti-inflammatory

Antioxidant

Appetite (regulates)

Cancer Prevention

DNA Repair

Diabetes

Eating the right foods can help you maintain healthy blood-sugar levels and insulin levels.

Digestion

Fat free

Low in calories

Mood

Obesity-Weightloss

Osteoporosis

Prenatal care

Raw or cooked

Sleep

Vitamins & Nutrients found in Asparagus (Click for details)

B Vitamins are essential for healthy living and they can be found in many fruits, vegetables, meats, grains and dairy products. Turkey, liver, tuna, bananas, potatoes, lentils, beans, molasses, chili peppers and nutritional yeasts are good sources for Vitamin B.
 
It is interesting to note that B vitamins reduce the risk of certain lethal forms of cancer, but only when consumed in food. It has been found that the man-made vitamin tablets do not have the same benefits.
 
There are 8 known B Vitamins, each distinct from the others, yet often found in the same foods. 


Vitamin B1 (thiamin) 
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 
Vitamin B3 (niacin) 
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) 
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin B7 (biotin) 
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) 

Chromium lowers glucose levels and enhances the performance of insulin. It is also believed to help with building muscle and weight loss. Broccoli and grape juice are great for providing chromium. Other good sources are potatoes and garlic. Apples, bananas, green beans, whole wheat bread, red wine, oranges, and basil provide trace amounts of chromium. The recommended daily amount of chromium varies by age and gender. Certain medications, such as antacids, may reduce absorption of chromium while others, such as insulin, ibuprofen, and aspirin, may increase chromium absorption. Studies have shown that taking 150 to 250 mcg per day for up to two weeks eliminated symptoms of diabetes. 

Copper works with iron to help the body form red blood cells. It is essential for healthy bones, blood vessels, and nerves and also helps strengthen the immune system.

Fiber goes through your system like an internal car wash, scrubbing out the walls of your intestines and colon and removing bacteria and buildup, reducing your risk of constipation, diabetes, and even cancer. Whole grain breads, cereals, brown rice, beans, legumes, and most fresh fruits and vegetables contain fiber. 

Folic acid helps the body prevent changes to the DNA that could cause cancer. It helps create and maintain new cells and can treat certain forms of anemia. It reduces the risk of high blood pressure and for pregnant women, it can reduce the chance of birth defects.

Iron helps regulate the body's temperature and is good for improving energy levels and the ability to focus. It is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for good eyesight and extremely helpful in preserving our skin, joints, eyes and internal organs. If there really was a Fountain of Youth, retinol would be one of the key ingredients and it would probably be reddish-orange due to the beta-Carotene. The body converts the red-orange pigment into Vitamin A. It also supports the immune system, bone metabolism, and development of embryos in reproduction. It is an antioxidant vitamin, which destroys free radicals in our body. Free radicals are produced by the body when we smoke, don’t eat a proper diet, or are exposed to stress or pollution. They are also suspected of contributing to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Pregnant women who are deficient in Vitamin A are more likely to have premature birth or very low birth weight. Women who have high levels of Vitamin A have a lower risk for breast cancer.

 

Vitamin A is made by your body when you eat carrots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables which contain beta-carotene, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, papaya, peas, butternut squash, mango, and dried apricots. It is also found in spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, tomato juice, peppers, watercress and full fat dairy products (butter, milk, eggs, cheddar cheese). Interestingly enough, these are ready to eat raw and cooking them causes the loss of some of the vitamins. Liver, beef, chicken, turkey, and fish are also high in Vitamin A content. 

Vitamin B1 (thiamin) is one of the eight known B Vitamins. When consumed in a regular diet -  preferably raw, it helps keep your heart and nervous system working properly. Without it you would suffer from diseases of the nervous system, weakness and pain in your arms and legs, heart failure, amnesia, and more.
 
Raw green peas, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, asparagus, lima beans and tuna are the ideal source for B1, although it is found in pork and oysters, cooking them at high temperatures destroys the thiamin.

Folate has many functions. Like Vitamin B7, it helps prevent birth defects in babies if consumed during pregnancy. It may also slow the effects of age on the brain. Folic acid helps create red blood cells and repair DNA. It can help prevent Alzheimer's and some forms of cancer.

 

You can get plenty of folic acid in your diet by eating greens like broccoli and green beans, leafy greens like spinach, papaya, lima beans, asparagus, avocado, and squash. Citrus fruits, strawberries, nuts, seeds, beef liver, eggs and legume also provide folic acid, as does brown rice, wheat germ and fortified grains. Fortified foods contain Folic Acid, the synthesized version of Folate.

Vitamin C (absorbic acid) is found in many natural fruits and vegetables such as green leaf vegetables, broccoli, green peppers, carrots, bean sprouts, tomatoes, mango, papayas, strawberries, lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits.
 
Your body requires Vitamin C in order to produce collagen, which is found in your skin, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels. It also serves as a detoxifier to reduce toxic chemicals from your body. Without Vitamin C, people are susceptible to many diseases from the common cold to scurvy, which will result in death if it is not treated. Eating fruits and vegetables helps your body grow and repair and even prevents signs of aging by helping to keep skin firm. 

Like Vitamin A, Vitamin E (tocopherol) helps protect the body from damaging free radicals, which ultimately helps prevent or delay cardiovascular disease and cancer. It also helps repair your DNA and improve your immune system.  
 
Vitamin E is found in corn oil, soybean oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower and safflower oils, margarine and dressings. It is also found in tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mangoes, broccoli, papayas, avocados, almonds, asparagus, nuts, peanuts, olives, seeds, spinach, kale and soybeans.

Vitamin K (naphthoquinoids) is produced by the body and is responsible for blood clotting. After you’ve been cut, it works to stop you from losing too much blood. Taking antibiotics can cause deficiencies in Vitamin K but you can rely on green leaf vegetables to replenish your supply.

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Disclaimer:

  • For best results, fresh, organic foods are recommended.

  • Foods are most nutritious in their raw form, unless heating is required. 

  • Food sources are recommended over supplements, but in the event you must use supplements, be sure to purchase them from a reputable source. In the U.S., supplements are not regulated by the FDA.

  • "Everything in moderation" is a good rule of thumb. Don't shock your system by eating dozens of apples (or anything) in one day. A balanced, yet varied diet is the goal.  

  • As with medicine, there are no guarantees. Preventative steps can help prevent illness and possibly prolong lives, but there are many contributing factors and variables which can sometimes produce unexpected results. 

  • Do research and consult your physician before making any serious changes to your diet or taking supplements. Discuss any allergies or concerns you may have. If you are taking any prescriptions or medications, this is especially important.

  • The information presented here is based on my research and years of note-taking. What started as a short list of cures for friends and family has grown into a full and very complex database, yet is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of eating healthy foods. This list is a work in progress and by no means complete. My goal is to help people suffering from various ailments, with a secondary goal of spreading the news about the miraculous healing power of foods. Use this information as a launchpad into your new healthy life. 

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