According to the internet a super food can be anything from bone broth, coconut oil,
salmon to olive oil but the two foods Dr Greger is about to tell us about can truly be classed
as super foods as they are heavily backed by scientific data that demonstrates their
extraordinary beneficial effects on the body. The first foods most notable benefits are
it’s powerful effects against cancer and it’s large number of different antioxidants
such as Kaempferol, Quercetin, Carotenoids, Sulforaphane and the rather unique Indole-3-carbinol.
This foods ability to prevent and repair DNA damage is extremely impressive. This is important
because damage to your DNA can lead to mutations and eventually cancer growth. We’ll hear
more about this later on in the video. The other food is one of my personal favorites
as it is unbelievably powerful against cancer and inflammation. Not only does it protect
against cancer and may even help to reverse it, but it also has a staggering effect on
our brain. Neurons, specialized cells transmitting nerve impulses, are capable of forming new
connections and in certain areas of our brain they can also multiply and increase in number.
One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),
which is a type of growth hormone that functions in our brain. Many brain disorders have been
linked to decreased levels of this hormone, including depression and Alzheimer's disease.
However the active component of this particular food can increase brain levels of BDNF. Which
may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases
in brain function. So what are these two foods? Well let’s hear now as Dr Michael Greger
tells us the link to the original video is in the description below….Yes I think I
probably talk about broccoli more than anything else. So broccoli and all cruciferous vegetables
all cabbage family vegetables, like kale and collard greens, create a compound called sulforaphane
which actually increases our phase 2 enzymes in our liver these are detoxification enzymes
such that for example if smokers eat lots of broccoli you actually decrease the DNA
damage, you can measure DNA damage in the urine in the blood. In fact if you eat broccoli
you’re going to get less of a caffeine buzz from your coffee just because your liver is
so souped up in terms of detoxing. It actually will mitigate the effects of smoking but the
amount of DNA damage is still, even with all the broccoli, is still above that of non smokers
so absolutely we need to quit smoking but until one does there’s way we can mediate
some of the damage. There are 50 clinical trials, this is very rare for a food, 50 clinical
trials that have pitted turmeric against a variety of diseases, lung disease, brain diseases
and cancers. It’s been found to make colon polyps disappear. It works better for rheumatoid
arthritis than the leading drug may also work for osteoarthritis and other inflammatory
conditions such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease. I recommend a ¼ tsp of turmeric
a day. That’s one of the thoughts of why there’s such low rates of colorectal cancer
rates in India- is because of their turmeric consumption. May also be because they eat
a lot of beans, they eat a lot of legumes such as lentils…..It’s important to note
that number 1, when consuming broccoli or any cruciferous vegetable daily we need to
make sure we are getting a good reliable source of iodine in our diet. For more information
check out my iodine on a plant based diet playlist. Number 2 there are a small number
of people who must to eat turmeric so make sure to watch the video linked above.