| Shiitake and Reishi | | | | Wheat Germ |
| Shiitake and reishi are Japanese mushrooms with a | | | | Wheat germ is the embryo of the wheat berry. It is |
| delicate texture, strong stems, and well-defined | | | | a good source of vitamin E; most of the B vitamins; |
| undersides. They are attractive and have impressive | | | | the minerals calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus; and |
| health-promoting properties. | | | | several trace elements. |
| Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) contain a polysaccharide, | | | | One problem with wheat germ is that it spoils easily. |
| lentinan, that strengthens the immune system by | | | | If you purchase wheat germ separately from the |
| increasing T cell function. Shiitake mushrooms contain | | | | flour, make sure the product is fresh. It should be |
| eighteen amino acids, seven of which are essential | | | | either vacuum packed or refrigerated, with a packing |
| amino acids. They are rich in B vitamins, especially | | | | date or a label stat-ing the date by which the |
| vitamins BI (thi-amine), 62 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin). | | | | product should be used. Toasted wheat germ has a |
| When sun-dried, they contain high amounts of vitamin | | | | longer shelf life, but the raw product is better |
| D. Their effectiveness in treating cancer has been | | | | because it is unprocessed. Wheat germ oil capsules |
| reported in a joint study by the Medical Department | | | | are also available. |
| of Koibe University and Nippon Kinoko Institute in | | | | Wheatgrass |
| Japan. These mushrooms are considered delicacies | | | | Wheatgrass is a rich nutritional food that was |
| and are entirely edible. | | | | popularized by Dr. Ann Wigmore, an educator and |
| Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) have been popular for at | | | | founder of the Hippocrates Health Institute in Boston. |
| least two thousand years in the Far East. They were | | | | Wheatgrass contains a great variety of vitamins, |
| rated number one on ancient Chinese lists of superior | | | | minerals, and trace elements. According to Dr. |
| medicines, and were believed to give eternal youth | | | | Wigmore, 1 pound of fresh wheatgrass is equal in |
| and longevity. | | | | nutritional value to nearly 25 pounds of the choicest |
| Today, both shiitake and reishi mushrooms are used | | | | vegetables. |
| to treat a variety of disorders and to promote | | | | Dr. Wigmore reported that wheatgrass therapy, |
| vitality. They are used to prevent high blood pressure | | | | along with "living foods," helped to eliminate |
| and heart disease, to control and lower cholesterol, | | | | cancerous growths and helped many other disorders, |
| to build resistance to disease, and to treat fatigue | | | | including mental health problems. The molecular |
| and viral infections. They are also known to have | | | | structure of chlorophyll resembles that of hemoglobin, |
| anti-tumor properties valuable in treating cancer. | | | | the oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells, and |
| The mushrooms are available fresh or dried for use in | | | | this may be the reason for the effectiveness of |
| foods (soak dried mushrooms in warm water or | | | | wheatgrass. The key difference between the two is |
| broth for thirty minutes before using), as well as in | | | | that the metallic atom in the middle of each molecule |
| supplements in capsule, pill, and extract form. | | | | of human hemoglobin is iron, while the metallic atom |
| Spirulina | | | | at the center of a molecule of chlorophyll is |
| Spirulina is a microalgae that thrives in hot, sunny | | | | magnesium. In experiments on anemic animals, blood |
| climates and in alkaline waters around the world, and | | | | counts returned to normal after four to five days of |
| produces twenty times as much protein as soybeans | | | | receiving chlorophyll. |
| growing on an equal-sized area of land. It contains | | | | Whey Protein |
| concentrations of nutrients unlike any other single | | | | Whey is a normal by-product of cheese making; it is |
| grain, herb, or plant. Among its valuable components | | | | the liquid that is left when the solids in milk come |
| are gamma linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic and arachidonic | | | | together and are pressed into solid form. Filtering and |
| acids, vitamin Bj2 (needed, especially by vegetarians, | | | | purifying produces whey protein, then the water is |
| for healthy red blood cells), iron, a high level of | | | | removed to produce a powder that, while high in |
| protein (60 to 70 percent), essential amino acids, and | | | | quality protein, is free of fat and lactose (milk sugar). |
| the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, along with chlorophyll, | | | | This supplement helps to build lean body mass by |
| and phycocyanin, a blue pigment that is found only in | | | | increasing the body's production of muscle protein. |
| blue-green algae and that has increased the survival | | | | For this reason, it is popular among athletes and |
| rate of mice with liver cancer in laboratory | | | | bodybuilders, and may also help to protect against |
| experiments. | | | | muscle wasting in people with such diseases as AIDS |
| Spirulina is a naturally digestible food that aids in | | | | and cancer. In addition to its effect on muscles, it |
| protecting the immune system, in cholesterol | | | | appears to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, |
| reduction, and in mineral absorption. Because it | | | | protect against free radical damage, and enhance |
| supplies nutrients needed to help cleanse and heal, | | | | immune function. Some recommended whey protein |
| while also curbing the appetite, it is beneficial for | | | | supplements include Biochem Whey Pro 290 from |
| people who are fasting. A person with hypoglycemia | | | | Country Life, Enhanced Whey Protein from Life |
| may benefit from using this food supplement | | | | Extension, Molkosan Whey of Life from Bioforce |
| between meals because its high protein content helps | | | | A.G., ProFlora Whey from Advanced Health Solutions, |
| stabilize blood sugar levels. | | | | and Whey to Go from Solgar. |