There’s a good reason why nutritionists consider omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to be “essential” acids. These polyunsaturated fats, which are responsible for building cells and maintaining nerve and brain function, cannot be manufactured by our bodies. This means that we must obtain them from food sources in order to remain healthy. Unfortunately, since the advent of processed vegetable and seed oils, the average Westerner consumes far more omega-6 acids than omega-3 acids. In fact,…
Less than one hundred years ago, it wasn’t necessary for most Westerners to take nutrient supplements. Our soil was rich in essential minerals, our diets were packed with organic and home-grown food, and our environment contained far fewer health-destroying toxins. Fast forward to the twenty-first century, however, and much has changed. Due to ongoing soil erosion, widespread pollution and much more, it is now difficult for many of us to obtain all of our essential…
Few plants have been as revered throughout recorded history as hemp. This green herbaceous plant, which is a high-growing variety of Cannabis sativa, has been cultivated for centuries to make durable clothing fibers, nutritious oils, building material, and even paper. Traditional medicine, particularly ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, also prized the plant for its significant medicinal properties. Since hemp does not contain large amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering ingredient found in regular marijuana, hemp…
Walnuts are the large, single-seeded fruits of the walnut tree. Though different species of walnut exist, the English walnut, which originated in Persia, remains the most popular species. In fact, virtually all of today’s commercially-produced walnuts are either English walnuts or hybrids thereof. Other species of walnut, such as the black walnut, are seldom cultivated due to their comparatively tough shells and poor hulling qualities. Walnuts are highly nutritious, and their health benefits have been…
Chia is a species of flowering plant that bears oval-shaped, multicolored seeds. These seeds, which have a neutral taste and crunchy texture, have been cultivated for centuries as a survival food in their native Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds had only just begun to enjoy recognition in the United States, however, when the eccentric Californian gadget company, Joseph Enterprises, began to market them in the 1980s as “Chia Pets,” which are terracotta figurines that sprouted…
