Put a Spring in Your Step
with Raw Food Supplementation
by Julie Powell - Healthy Living Article
 Raw has become all the rage, which begs the question, “What does RAW
truly mean?” Raw foods and raw supplements are teeming with live
probiotics and enzymes that can only be present in an uncooked product.
Garden of Life’s raw standard means ingredients are produced and
manufactured below 115 degrees Fahrenheit to protect these precious
living nutrients. Raw means untreated, unadulterated and has nothing
artificial added.
So how can you incorporate more raw into your goal of achieving better
overall health, shaking up a mundane meal plan or slipping into a
smaller size with renewed vigor? One way to help reach all your
health-related resolutions is to introduce raw foods and supplements in
to your diet. And one company dedicated to the finest raw, whole
food-based products is
Garden of Life.
THE POWER OF PLANT PROTEIN
A common misconception about a raw lifestyle has to do with protein.
This may not be too surprising because all you have to do is look around
and you will see many Americans consuming meat on a regular basis. There
is even a popular slogan that reads, “beef, it’s what’s for dinner,”
implying that nothing else belongs on the plate or at least that the
meal must be built around meat.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, “Now more than ever
America is a nation of meat eaters. In 2000, total meat consumption (red
meat, poultry and fish) reached 195 pounds (boneless, trimmed-weight
equivalent) per person, 57 pounds above average annual consumption in
the 1950s.” While the percentage of fat and the proportion of saturated
fat in the US food supply from meat have declined since that time, there
are some compelling reasons to cut back on meat intake and increase the
amount of raw food in your diet.
A recent study published in the January 2010 issue of Diabetes Care
states “diets high in animal protein are associated with an increased
diabetes risk,” while it also reports, “Vegetable protein was not
related to diabetes.” Another study appearing in the Diabetes and
Metabolism Journal in August 2011 discusses the risk of animal fat
consumption and diabetes. Based on glucose level testing, researchers
conclude women with gestational diabetes mellitus (diabetes that starts
or is first diagnosed during pregnancy) are at a high risk for type 2
diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. As such, it may be
important to educate this group “about the risks of excessive animal fat
intake during pregnancy and the postpartum period.”
In some of the most recent research, presented in the March 2012 issue
of Nutrition Reviews, researchers report on the effects of
plant-based
protein consumption and its link to a decreased risk for breast cancer.
Researchers state that early onset of puberty may be associated with
adverse health consequences. Therefore, factors that influence the
timing of puberty are of great public health significance. “Current
observational studies suggest notable associations between dietary
intakes and pubertal timing beyond contributions to an energy imbalance:
children with the highest intakes of vegetable protein or animal protein
experience pubertal onset seven months later or seven months earlier,
respectively.” Girls with high isoflavone (organic compounds, many of
which act as phytoestrogens or dietary estrogens) intakes may also
experience the onset of breast development and peak height velocity
approximately 7-8 months later. “Thus, dietary patterns characterized by
higher intakes of vegetable protein and isoflavones, and lower intakes
of animal protein may contribute to a lower risk of breast cancer or a
lower total mortality.”
It is important to note that beef, dairy, eggs and protein are not the
only sources of protein.
Plant-based proteins are a viable alternative
for those of us looking to shake up our diets. The Harvard School of
Public Health’s Healthy Eating Pyramid suggests that half of your daily
protein intake should be from plant-based proteins. Legumes are good
sources of proteins, as you can get 22 grams of protein from a half-cup
serving of small red beans. There is a catch, however. Animal sources of
protein are generally “complete,” meaning they have all the essential
amino acids (building blocks of protein) that our bodies require,
whereas plant-based protein sources are rarely considered complete.
Thus, people who receive all or most of their protein from plants need
to make sure they get a variety of plant sources, which when combined
can make a complete protein. For instance, rice added to red beans makes
a complete protein. But what about the days when you don’t have the time
or energy to plan your meals properly?
ENTER THE (RAW) GARDEN OF LIFE
 RAW Protein by Garden of Life
makes the incorporation of plant-based
protein into your diet simple and convenient. One serving of this
certified organic, raw and vegan supplement contains 17 grams of protein
through a combination of 13 different plant sources of protein—all
delivered with only 3 grams of carbohydrates. Each serving has all
essential amino acids, which is important because proteins control
virtually all cellular processes. The plants used in
RAW Protein are all
sprouted to help aid digestion. To further help digestion this product
contains live probiotics and enzymes.
Researchers write in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical
Gastroenterology that while the exact mechanisms and pathogenesis of
probiotics are still being discovered, “It remains clear that probiotics
are able to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation.”
RAW Protein also has
Vitamin Code RAW vitamins, including the important fat-soluble vitamins
A, D (as D2), E and K (including K2 as MK-7), which may be lacking in
raw, vegan diets. And while it is full of fiber, with each serving
containing 3 grams of fiber,
Garden of Life leaves out binders, fillers
and artificial ingredients. This description of ingredients may have you
wondering about the flavor.
RAW Protein is available in a flavor-neutral
powder that mixes well with most foods and beverages.
NUTRIENT DENSITY AND MAKING YOUR CALORIES COUNT
One of the common reasons people choose to eat raw is to improve the
nutrient density of the foods they consume. Raw foods retain so many of
their nutrients that they are a natural fit for anyone looking to add
more nutrient-rich foods to their diet.
 Perfect Food RAW is another high-quality raw product to help achieve
great health. It has 34 nutrient-dense, raw, organically grown greens
(including wheat, barley and alfalfa grass juices), sprouts (including
quinoa, chia and flax) and vegetable juices in every serving. With
naturally occurring antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, essential acids
and dozens of phytonutrients, your body is getting important nutrients
to support good nutritional habits.
Like the RAW protein,
Perfect Food RAW has a mild flavor, but
Garden of Life will soon release a certified organic chocolate flavor, without any
added sugars, colors, synthetic or artificial ingredients.
Going hand in hand with nutrient density, is raw food’s ability to make
your calories count. You have probably heard the term “empty calories”
in reference to a food or beverage that contains plenty of calories but
has little or no redeeming nutritional value. Some common examples are
alcohol, soda, solid fats and sugar.
According to an October 25, 2010, National Institutes of Health article,
it is not just adults who have to be cautious of empty calories.
Researchers found that nearly 40 percent of energy consumed by 2- to
18-year-olds comes from empty calories. “Half of those empty calories
come from solid fats and added sugars in just 6 sources: soda, fruit
drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza and whole milk.” Even more
alarming is that this empty calorie consumption has contributed to a
nation where 1 in 3 children is overweight or obese, which increases the
likelihood of developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,
cancer and asthma.
So while some people may worry that it will be hard to replace calories
when going raw because raw foods pack so much nutrition in to fewer
calories, many others may be worried about getting too many calories for
themselves and their children. The good news is that we often have
alternatives. Two teaspoons of refined sugar has about the same number
of calories as a small red apple, but all the sugar provides you with is
calories. The apple contains natural sugars, but also provides fiber,
vitamins, water for hydration, antioxidant value from the pigments of
its skin and a variety of other living cofactors including enzymes.
 Garden of Life expertly addresses both calorie concerns with its raw,
certified organic, vegan meal replacement.
RAW Meal contains 26 superfoods from raw organic seeds, grains, sprouts, and greens, which
provide 33 grams of protein, 14 grams of fiber (soluble and insoluble)
and 4 grams of healthy fat (no trans fat). Fiber is seen as one
important component of a weight-loss plan.
RAW Meal also provides live
probiotics, enzymes, and 20 Vitamin Code RAW food-created vitamins and
minerals whose probiotic culturing process creates additional nutrients
including beta-glucans, SOD, glutathione and CoQ10. Raw Meal also has a
new vanilla and chocolate flavor coming.
Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, puts it simply, “Dietary fiber is not a
magic weight loss weapon, but is has the power to help fill you up
without filling you out.” With 20
Vitamin Code vitamins and minerals, it
also meets at least 100 percent of the daily value of 16 key nutrients.
 Getting enough dietary fiber in your diet can be a daily challenge.
Raw
Fiber by Garden of Life fulfills your dietary fiber needs and ensures
that you are getting the best nutritional ingredients, in a raw, organic
formula for optimal bowel and overall health. Raw Fiber goes way beyond
traditional fibers.
Raw Fiber by Garden of Life is a certified organic,
RAW, vegan daily fiber formula with 15 RAW, organic superfoods
specifically selected for their exceptional ability to support and
maintain optimal bowel function, digestive and overall health.
SPRING FORWARD
 You may even consider springing into a
Raw Cleanse to get your health on
track. RAW Cleanse is a gentle, fast-acting, seven-day cleanse that is
entirely different from other cleanses available anywhere. RAW Cleanse
works first to support the health of the entire digestive tract and
immune system health, and then aids the liver in removing toxins.
Finally, RAW Cleanse aids the digestive system in trapping toxins and
transporting them out of the body.
Garden of Life’s new
Raw Cleanse is the only RAW cleanse and detox
program available today. For those looking for the ultimate cleanse
experience, raw has always represented the highest nutritional standard.
RAW Cleanse by Garden of Life features uncooked, untreated and
unadulterated ingredients that are designed to support your body’s
natural digestive and detoxification systems.
In your quest to meet your health and fitness goals,
Garden of Life’s
line of RAW supplements are helpful tools—just as it can be helpful to
have a good workout partner or to keep a food journal. Garden of Life’s
RAW Protein,
Raw Meal,
Raw Fiber,
Raw Perfect Food, and
Raw Vitamin Code
nutritional supplements are cleverly crafted with raw, whole food
vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes and other cofactors to help make
your lifestyle a little easier and whole lot healthier!
Resources - Book & Products:
Raw Truth Book by Jordan Rubin
Raw Protein information
Perfect Food Raw information
Raw Meal information
Raw Fiber information
Raw Cleanse information
Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin Supplement information
Garden of Life product information
Resources Articles:
Raw is Good for Your Health, Are Your Vitamins Raw?
By David Steinman – Healthy Living Article
The RAW Revolution
Doctor’s Prescription for Healthy Living Article
Cracking the Code – The Vitamin Code
By Garden of Life
Is Your Multivitamin Raw?
Freedom Press Article – Interview with Paul Nison, Raw Food Expert
Enzyme Nutrition 101
By Garden of Life Health Writers
Edited by Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH
Raw Enzymes: The Next Generation of Enzymes for Digestive Health
by Garden of Life
RAW Extraordinary Probiotics - The Next Generation of Digestive Health
By Joseph Brasco, MD – Doctor’s Prescription for Healthy Living Article
Legends, Inspiration and the Raw Truth about Your Health
Interview with Author of The Raw Truth Book - Jordan Rubin By Healthy
Living
The Vitamin Code Introduction
The Vitamin Code Book
by Jordan Rubin
Why Raw Multivitamins? The Vitamin Code Story
Raw Interview with Jordan Rubin, “Raw Truth” Author
by Health Experts at Healthy Living Magazine & Christine Dreher, CCN,
CCH
Cleansing in the Raw
By Garden of Life Health Writers
References:
Profiling Food Consumption in America. www.usda.gov/factbook/chapter2.pdf.
Slujis I et al. Dietary intake of total, animal and vegetable protein
and risk of type 2 diabetes in the European Prospective Investigation
into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-NL study. Diabetes Care. 2010
Jan;33(1):43-8.
Hwang YJ et al. A comparative study of eating habits and food intake in
women with gestational diabetes according to early postpartum glucose
tolerance status. Diabetes Metab J. 2011 Aug;35(4):354-63.
Cheng G et al. Beyond overweight: nutrition as important lifestyle
factor influencing timing of puberty. Nutr Rev. 2012 Mar;70(3):133-52.
Fedorak RN. Understanding why probiotic therapies can be effective in
treating IBD. J ClinGastroenterol. 2008 Sep;42.
Zelman, K. The Benefits of Fiber: For Your Heart, Weight, and Energy.
High Fiber Diets and Weight Loss. WebMD Feature. Reviewed By Brunilda
Nazario, MD on October 29, 2010. http://www.webmd.com/diet/fi
ber-healthbenefits-11/fiber-weight-control?page=1.
Accessed 1 March 2012.
Wein, H. NIH Research Matters. Where Kids Get Their Empty Calories. 25
October 2010. http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/october2010/10252010emptycalories.htm.
Accessed 1 March 2012. |
