Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants responsible for absorbing the light necessary for photosynthesis. It is often considered to be the “blood” of plants, since it comprises the basic physiology of the plant and is required for their basic metabolic functions, such as growth and respiration. While most land plants contain chlorophyll to some degree, those with the deepest green colors contain the greatest concentrations of it. Though humans cannot photosynthesize and therefore cannot…
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…
Calcium is an essential macromineral whose roles in the body are relatively well-known. It strengthens bones and teeth, improves the body’s alkalinity, helps our heart muscles to contract and relax properly, and more. Like all minerals, calcium doesn’t work alone, but in tandem with other nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin D. For this reason, obtaining our calcium from whole foods – foods whose nutrient profiles have been optimized by nature for superior absorption –…
Dietary fiber is an essential nutrient that is best-known for helping our bodies to normalize bowel movements by sweeping the intestines of accumulated matter. However, fiber also has numerous other uses in the body. It binds itself to cancer-causing toxins in the colon, helps to stabilize blood glucose levels by absorbing sugar, and even helps to reduce total cholesterol by encouraging the liver to make more bile salts. Consequently, it is important that we eat…
Magnesium is a vital macromineral that is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It regulates enzyme reactions, aids the production of energy, helps our body transport ions across our cell membranes, and more. Indeed, all of our organs require magnesium to function properly. Unfortunately, magnesium deficiencies are pandemic worldwide. In the United States alone, experts estimate that between 50 and 80 percent of the population suffers from a deficiency, which can…
