#32: The 150 healthiest Foods on Earth

00Angela00

By popular demand we're back again with 150 of the healthiest foods on earth. For those who are new I have attached at the bottom all previous posts. I will be posting a new food every day as time allows. All information is from the book by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth".

Now today's food is from the soy section, the intro to this section discusses the fact that soy products are not as good as you think they are. It's a great article and you should definately take the time to read it:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57520-soy-not-as-good-as-you-think

Day # 32: Natto

Intro: Natto is a traditional Japanese food and definately an acquired taste. It's made from soybeans fermented by the Bacillus natto, which result in a soybean that's sticky and can be rather ... well, strong smelling. That's one reason it's not exactly an American favorite. Nonetheless, natto--also known as "vegetable cheese"--has been consumed faely for thousands of years due to its health benefits.

It's claim to fame is its richness in an enzyme called nattokinase. Nattokinase is a fibrinolytic enzyme that can help reduce and prevent clots. The way ti works is this: The body produces a number of substances that assist in blood clotting, one of which is called fibrin. Fibrin is like a web of sticky fibers that your body prooduces to form a structure that stops excess bleeding. you need fibrin for healthy blood thickness, but too much can impede blood flow and elevate blood pressure. One enzyme in the body, plasmin, dissolves and breaks down fibrin, but plasmin declines with age. Nattokinase, the enzyme in natto, is very structurally similar to plasmin and can directly break down fibrin, helping to prevent clots and keep blood flowing smoothly. That's why natto is such a "circulation-friendly" food.

* In one study, twelve Japanese volunteers were given 200 g of natto before breakfast. The amount of time it took to dissolve a clot dropped by 48 percent, and their ability to dissolve clots remained for 2 to 8 hours.

* Recently, some highly regarded vitamin companies began marketing nattokinase as a supplement, and some very cutting-edge nutritionists often recommend it as an alternative to blood-thinning medications and to help guard against strokes. (Note: Don't try this at home, fold. If you're going to wean off a medications, do it under the supervision of your licensed health professional.)

* Natto also contains vitamin K which is great for healthy bones, but it can interfere with Coumadin and other blood-clotting medications. Some vitamin companies remove the vitamin K from their nattokinase supplements.

*Natto makes you're skin glow. The very same compound that makes it sticky--polyglutamic acid--also increases the natural moisturizing factor in skin.

For previous posts:
Vegetables:
ARTICHOKES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57017--1-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ARUGULA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58426--14-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ASPARAGUS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/60854--27-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Grains:
OATMEAL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57180--2-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
QUINOA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58555--15-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Beans and Legumes:
BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57278--3-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
GARBANZO BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58671--16-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
GREEN PEAS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61075--28-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Fruits:
APPLES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57482--4-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APRICOTS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58800--17-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
AVACADOS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61180--29-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BANANAS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/74093-back-again-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth-30

Nuts, Seeds, and Nut butters
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57516--5-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BRAZIL NUTS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58921--18-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CASHEWS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/74139--31-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Soy Foods:
NOT AS GOOD AS YOU THINK IT IS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57520-soy-not-as-good-as-you-think
EDAMAME: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57602--6-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
FERMENTED SOY: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/59006--19-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Dairy:
BUTTER/GHEE http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57689--7-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CHEESE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/59395--20-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Meat, Poultry, and Eggs
EGGS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57791--8-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
POULTRY: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/59548--21-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Fish and Seafood
CRUSTACEA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57940--9-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
MACKEREL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/60071--22-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth?page=1#posts-719366

Specialty Foods
BEE POLLEN: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58069--10-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CHOCOLATE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/60143--23-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Beverages:
ACAI JUICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58196--11-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
COFFEE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/60823--26-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CRANBERRY JUICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/60470--24-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Herbs, Spices, and Condiments
CARDAMOM: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58290--12-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CINNAMON: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/60564--25-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

Oils
ALMOND OIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58381--13-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

00Angela00

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