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They Are Packed With Powerful Antioxidants
In the course of living, our DNA is damaged by free radicals generated as a byproduct of normal metabolism and by exposure to toxins. Antioxidants prevent us from being overwhelmed by too many free radicals, especially as we age.
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Antioxidants in Goji Berries
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Body Functions Supported
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Vitamin C
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Heart health
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Beta-carotene
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Immunity
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Cystine
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Immunity, healthy stomach lining
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B2 (riboflavin)
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Conversion of carbohydrates into fuel
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Manganese
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Healthy skin, bone, cartilage
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Zinc
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Wound healing, fertility, vision, immunity
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Copper
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Energy, hormonal function, healthy skin
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Selenium
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Healthy liver, thyroid, immunity, cancer protection
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Preventing Premature Aging by Promoting Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Production
Levels of human growth hormone decline as we age. A 70-year-old produces only one-tenth of the amount generated by a 20-year-old. With this decline we often have lower levels of energy, muscle wasting and a tendency to store more body fat. Boosting the natural production of growth hormone helps us feel, look and function with more vitality. Goji berries help our bodies do this in two ways:
- Potassium: Goji is a rich source of the mineral, which is vital for health and longevity. Insufficient potassium interferes with the normal function of the pituitary gland, producer of the human growth hormone. A 3-ounce serving of dried goji berries contains 1,600 mg of potassium -- four times the potassium in three ounces of banana.
- Amino acids: Certain amino acids promote the production of HGH. Goji is a rich source of l-glutamine and l-arginine, two amino acids which may work together to boost HGH levels and revitalize your appearance and vitality. These amino acids are also building blocks for healthy immunity and work to reduce inflammation.
- Goji's are unique among fruits because they contain all essential amino acids. Goji berries have the highest concentration of protein of any fruit to help rebuild cells.
Keeping Vital Organs Healthy
Goji berries help balance blood sugar and enhance the liver, digestive system and skin:
- Blood sugar: Goji berries have been used in Asia to help regulate high blood sugar, which is important to minimize the risk of both diabetes and heart disease.
- Liver: Several types of phytonutrients in the fruit enhance the ability of the liver to detoxify and guard against the organ being damaged by carcinogens and the hepatitis virus.
- Digestion: Goji berries are helpful for all types of digestive problems. Goji berries are a great digestive aid - they draw the digestive juices into the stomach and intestines. Goji berries also support healthy immunity by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in our gastrointestinal system.
- Skin: Goji berries contain fatty acids, which can stimulate collagen production and retain moisture, resulting in younger-looking skin.
Increasing Energy
The goji berry is an "adaptogen," An adaptogen is an herb that increases the body's ability to adapt to stress and changing situations. An adaptogen invigorates and strengthens the system while helping the body to deal with stress and restoring balance. It also supports healthy function of the adrenal glands, which tend to get overworked in times of stress.
The goji is believed to harmonize functions of the entire body, resulting in enhanced stamina, strength and energy.
Improving Vision
Goji berries act on the liver. Generally the liver sends energy and nutrition to the eyes to support its function. Studies have shown most eye disorders are associated with a liver deficiency. If you have the following symptoms; dry eyes, tired eyes, blurry vision, pain and burning sensation around the eye, it may be from congestion in your liver. Gogi berries can be very beneficial in relieving these symptoms.
The goji berry contains two key nutrients for healthy vision: zeaxanthin and lutein. Free radicals also attack the eyes, and zeaxanthin and lutein protect against such damage.
Controlling Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Goji berries have the ability to combat two key factors that promote heart disease: oxidized cholesterol and elevated blood pressure.
Chinese research shows that goji berries can increase our production of SOD (superoxide dismutase). SOD produces antioxidants to prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. Goji berries also contain other antioxidants that decrease oxidation of cholesterol and help to control blood pressure.
Improving Sleep
Goji berries are a rich source of two nutrients that are necessary for healthful sleep:
- Magnesium: This mineral reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and improves the quality of sleep.
- Thiamin (B1): Thiamin helps you sleep, improves mood, alleviates depression and increases energy levels. Thiamine also helps to metabolize glucose.
Helping with Auto-Immune Disorders
Immune cells are like guards that constantly police our bodies, looking for harmful intruders and attacking any they find. Problems arise when the immune cells misidentify healthy cells as invaders and attack these, essentially making the body turn on itself and triggering auto-immune disease. One in five Americans suffer from an auto-immune disease. Three out of four are women.
Goji berries help the immune system to distinguish more effectively between friend and foe. The fruit's polysaccharides provide cells with special sugars that support healthy immunity and enable cells to communicate more effectively with each other.
Author and pharmacist Earl Mindell calls goji's polysaccharides "master molecules" because they "command and control many of the body's most important biochemical defense systems."
Reducing Allergies
Allergies are triggered by many different substances in the environment, including certain foods. They occur as a result of some type of malfunction in the immune system which sees these substances as dangerous. In Asian medicine, allergies are traditionally treated with remedies designed to balance the immune system, rather than suppressing symptoms with medications.
In Asia, goji berries have traditionally been used as a therapy for allergies. Chinese scientists have observed that the fruit reduces antibodies that are generated in response to an allergen. In addition, the polysaccharides in goji are believed to enhance normal function of the immune system. The net effect is a restoration of healthy immune function.
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