Live Well By Eating Healthy Green Food Types

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2020/10/01 - Updated: 2025/02/15
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Fruits and Vegetables - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Naturopaths recommend the use of green foods for health and to enhance the treatment of diseases such asthma, candida, lupus, and HIV.

Why it matters: This article examines the nutritional value and health benefits of green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, emphasizing their role in promoting wellness for diverse populations, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. It outlines how these foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune function, reduce inflammation, and aid in managing chronic conditions like heart disease or mobility-related challenges. The piece also provides practical advice on incorporating greens into diets through preparation methods suited to varying abilities, such as blending or steaming, and addresses common barriers like cost or limited kitchen access. By combining science-backed nutritional insights with adaptable meal ideas, the resource serves as a valuable tool for those seeking affordable, easy-to-prepare options to improve health outcomes, particularly for people facing physical limitations or age-related dietary needs. Its focus on accessibility and clear, actionable guidance makes it a relevant reference for enhancing daily nutrition without requiring specialized resources - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

We have always heard that we need to eat our greens, but we are just now discovering how vital the health benefits of green foods are to our living well. The green color of green foods comes from the phytochemical chlorophyll which is the equivalent, in plants, of the oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in our red blood cells. Chlorophyll has been shown to have beneficial effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune response, and cancer prevention. Chlorophyll inhibits bacteria that cause disease, bad breath and internal odors.

Main Item

Naturopaths have recommended the use of green foods to enhance the treatment of diseases such asthma, candida, lupus, HIV and many others.

• One pound of wheat grass or one pound of barley grass has more nutritional value than twenty-five pounds of organic vegetables.
• Blue-green algaes, i.e. spirulina, have high levels of vitamins, minerals, and protein that exceed the equivalent weight of meat or soybeans.
• Alfalfa contains all known vitamins and is one of the most mineral-rich foods on the planet!

The phyto-nutrients in green foods are packed with valuable anti-oxidants. Green foods made from fruit and vegetable extracts that come in capsules, tablets, wafers or powders can be the nutritional equivalent of eating all the fruits and vegetables that we should eat daily but don't because of our fast paced and processed, fast food lifestyle. These green foods in supplement form have more nutrient density i.e. an ounce of these concentrated green foods in supplement form contain much more of the beneficial phytonutrients found in an ounce of green vegetables. In addition to vitamins, minerals and protein, green foods are also packed full of antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, coenzymes and fibre.

Studies have shown that green foods in concentrated supplemental form, eliminates toxins such as heavy metals and increases levels of good bacteria such as lactobacilli that are essential for good digestion and elimination. The oxygen-carrying ability of green foods is extremely effective in digestion of foods for vital nutrients, prevention of fungal growth in intestinal passages that can produce a condition of candida. The oxygen distributing and enhancing quality of green foods is vital for cell function of muscles, organs and brain health.

Green foods also contain lutein which is an antioxidant found in high levels in the macula which is an eye tissue. The macula helps tell the brain what the eye is seeing and is responsible for the central vision that enables us to drive, read, and see clearly in general. Lutein also helps reduce macular degeneration and cataract development that occurs with our aging.

In addition green foods have been found to support cellular metabolism and because of it's high alkaline content, helps to neutralize excess acidity that leads to acid reflux and general acidity associated with our processed, fast food diets. Green foods with their high enzyme and coenzyme content enhance digestive process and health and the absorption of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. Green foods provide benefits of enhancing the health and appearance of skin, hair and nails and delay the natural effects of aging.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a green food that is a complete food in itself. Chlorella has massive amounts of chlorophyll and protein as well as high levels of all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, amino acids and rare trace minerals. Chlorella has more B12 than a equal serving of liver. It's high RNA and DNA content are believed to fight against the effects of ultraviolet radiation.. Chlorella is a powerful antioxidant that reduces high blood pressure, lowers harmful cholesterol, accelerates wound healing and improves our immune system.

Chlorella from green foods, in supplemental form, has been shown to help reduce pain in fibromyalgia, reduce blood pressure and blood fat in hypertension, and help heal and reduce pain in ulcerative colitis. Chlorella has been found to help in the prevention of the growth of tumors because of its glycoproteins that enhance the migration of T cells to tumor sites. Chlorella attaches to heavy metals and dioxin and helps eliminate them from the body.

Spirulina

Spirulina is one of the more well known green foods. Spirulina contains gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic and arachidonic acids, vitamin B12, essential amino acids, nucleic acids RNA and DNA, chlorophyll and phycocyanin. Spirulina has been found to enhance our immune system, reduce cholesterol and enhance mineral absorption. With it's high nutrient and protein content, spirulina is especially helpful to people suffering hypoglycemia.

Spirulina has been used to assist in the treatment of cancer and HIV because of it ability to aid in nutrient absorption and it's ability to strengthen the immune system. Sprulina has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, helps reduce blood pressure, helps control symptoms of ulcerative colitis and aids in digestion, helps protect the liver from toxins e.g. heavy metals, and helps reduce allergies. Spirulina and other blue-green algaes are rich in essential fatty acids, phenolic antioxidants, chlorophyll, B vitamins, carotenoids and minerals such as calcium iron, magnesium maganese, potassium and zinc.

Kelp

Kelp is also a well known green food. Kelp is a seaweed common in Asian food. It is high in B vitamins and iodine content and therefore has been used to aid in the treatment of certain thyroid diseases. Poor thyroid function has been found to be a major factor in the cause of weight gain and obesity. Kelp is also believed to be beneficial to brain tissues and membranes, sensory nerves, spinal cord tissue and blood vessels. The high iodine content in kelp has lead to the use of kelp to combat the effects of radiation.

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass contains a large variety of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. People have reported experiencing a definite increase in energy after ingesting wheatgrass. It has been used as an important part of treatments for diseases, such as cancer, immunological disorders, and mental health disorders. Before WWII, tablet of wheatgrass and barley grass was used as a common vitamin supplement, especially throughout the midwest section of our country. Barley grass contains all essential amino acids, chlorophyll, flavonoids, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, minerals and enzymes. Barley grass has been used most often to treat stomach and intestinal disorders as well as being used as an anti-inflammarory.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa contains all known vitamins, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. It's mineral content is in naturally balanced form which results in natural maximum absorption. Alfalfa has been used to help treat arthritis, anemia, bleeding gums and even cancer.

Optimum health requires providing our bodies with the best possible nutrients for growing and maintaining cellular well ness and function. Green Foods are a super form of these best possible nutrients that will help us live well and long.

Green Food Supplements

Green foods consumed in supplement, concentrated form through capsule or tablet are a very convenient and important way that we can insure that we are receiving the health benefits of these nutrient packed natural plants. Green Foods, in powdered form, can be added, mixed or blended into juices, added to cooking or combined with fruit or protein powders for energy, help with weight loss or for enhancing general health in a natural way.

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.