In the following series, we’ll be allowing you to ask Dr. BJ Adrezin, our master BoKU formulator, any question you may have about diet, health, and nutrition.  In this post, Dr. Adrezin talks about nutrition and bio-chemical elements of dieting.

Q: I’m trying to lose weight, get healthy, and all that jazz.

My problem is that I follow a diet for a few weeks or months, and then I find myself cheating on my diet more often.  And…then I give up. What kind of diet do you recommend?

Dr. Adrezin: First off, congratulations on wanting to get healthy and lose weight. It’s not always easy, especially at first.

What you are experiencing with your diet is very common. Most people struggle with dieting. Research shows that most people only follow a diet for so long, and then they “fall off the bandwagon,” stop dieting, and end up gaining more weight back than they lost.

There is no magic bullet when it comes to diet and health. To be honest, there are probably elements of health in most of the diets out there. Most diets will have at least some grain of truth or helpful advice in them.

In general, it’s always best to eat whole foods and to stay away from processed foods that are full of fat, sugar, and salt.

It’s good to take a look at some of the bio-chemical diets and slowly integrate them into your life. A bio-chemical diet is a food plan that is customized to an individual’s unique body and bio-chemistry. Different people have different bio-chemistries. This is why some people thrive on an Atkins-type diet with lots of animal protein and others feel their best when they eat vegan.

You can figure out what your bio-chemistry is a couple of different ways. You can go to see a doctor or nutrition specialist, or you can figure it out on your own through trial and error.  Do certain foods give you energy or leave you feeling sluggish? Many people find keeping a food journal to be helpful. Finding the foods that best suit your body will help diet and nutrition start to make more sense.

Tweet us at @BokuSuperFood to ask Dr. Adrezin a question of your own! 

Learn more about Dr. BJ Adrezin here.

[Image by wsilver]

The post Ask Dr. Adrezin: What’s the Deal with Diets? What’s the Best Way to Lose Weight? appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

The change in seasons and festive coffee drinks is a sure sign that flu season is rapidly approaching. Every year some of us are hit with achy bodies, fevers, and stomach pains.  The holiday seasons so often slip by us while we’re accompanied by unwelcome runny noses and chest colds.  In this blog, we’ll cover some great ways to launch a preemptive strike on flu season by strengthening our immunity naturally.

How Can We Strengthen Our Immunity Naturally This Season by Boosting the Immune System?

Rather than running out to your local pharmacy to get a vaccination, we should all try some natural remedies that will promote long-term health! Boosting the Immune system and immune responses will help you enjoy the holidays.

We all know to wash our hands often and to take our multi-vitamins, but did you know getting a little more sun will help stave off the flu germs? Before the winter is fully upon us, go soak up some rays. The more vitamin D you can get through being outside, the better.

Aso, find ways to eliminate stress and get more sleep. There’s no better way to fight a virus than having a fully rested body that promotes a strong immune system. Exercise also helps your immune system and increases circulation in your body. In fact, enjoying the holiday season by taking brisk walks with loved ones may be better than starting an overly-rigorous new workout plan that may lead to overexertion.

Strengthening Your Immune System Naturally Through Incremental Diet Changes

Simple adjustments can be made to your diet to build natural immunity. For example, you may consider slowly eliminating cheese and processed milk during this season, which is known to cause sinus issues in some of us, even when we’re not known to have a lactose intolerance.

You should also let yourself enjoy pungent spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cloves—many of which are found in holiday drinks—as these are known to boost your immune system. Additionally, this holiday season try drinking fresh vegetable juice, and using sea salt for the benefits of the trace minerals.

While you’re at it, try Boku’s Immune Tonic to give you the best results for all your healthy lifestyle adjustments. The organic herbs help your body absorb all the benefits of the nutrients in your foods and supplements. While most immune products give you such a highly concentrated dose of each nutrient that they build up in your body’s tissue, Boku’s Immune Tonic gently supports the hard work your healthy body is already doing.  Click here to read more about the ingredients in Boku’s Immune Tonic.

Let’s do our best to enjoy the holiday season without a flu symptom in sight by maintaining a healthy immune system!

[image by Per Ola Wiberg]

The post Strengthening Your Immune System Naturally – Boost Immune System appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

If you’re following our blog, you have learned about some lesser-known super foods such as the nopal cactus and maca root. Today we are going to learn more about goji berries benefits, one of the super-powered ingredients in our special BoKU blend. We will continue to include blog posts that highlight some of these lesser-known foods and share about their incredible nutritional benefits.  In this post we explore some of the benefits of goji berries.

What are Goji Berries?

One of our key Super Food ingredients are goji berries, otherwise known as wolfberries. These nutrient-dense little berries have been cultivated in China for over six thousand years. People in China have eaten goji berries in hopes of increasing longevity, improving eyesight, and boosting the immune system.

Goji berries are used in traditional chinese medicine, and are also found in many culinary dishes. Goji berries are often dried and added to dishes with vegetables, chicken, or pork. The berries are also boiled into an herbal tea, and are even sometimes used to flavor beer.

In recent years Goji berries have become increasingly well known in western nations, particularly among the alternative medicine and health food crowds. Many claims have been made about the benefits of goji berries, not all of them true. But there are some things we do know about the goji berry, and this is why we added them to our Boku Superfood.

Health Benefits of Goji Berries?

Goji berries are nutrient dense and full of vitamins. A daily serving of the berry contains more vitamin C than an orange, more beta carotene than carrots, and more iron than red meat. In addition to promoting healthy eyes and good eyesight, beta carotene is thought to help prevent heart disease and skin damage.

Goji berries are also an antioxidant food. Antioxidant foods help combat free radicals that can damage the cells and DNA in our bodies. Goji berries also have eighteen different amino acids, which are the “building blocks” of protein.

Here at BoKU we prize goji berries for their incredible health properties. They are a power packed nutrition ingredient that help make our Boku Superfood so popular!

[Image by miheco]

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

The post Health Benefits of Goji Berries: Cultivated in China for over 6,000 Years appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

Did you know that BoKU Superfood has over fifty natural, organic ingredients in it? In this blog series, we are highlighting some of these lesser-known super foods. We hope you enjoy learning a little bit of the incredible health benefits that these foods can provide.

One of our favorite special ingredients is nettle leaf. Nettle leaf is also sometimes called “stinging nettle” because of the small, hollow stinging hairs on it’s leaves and stems. Cooking or steeping the nettle leaf renders these little hairs harmless.

Nettle Leaf Over the Centuries

Nettles have been used for centuries as a medicine and also as a food. Cooked or sauteed nettle leaves have a similar taste to spinach and are found in many Indian and Nepalese dishes. Stinging nettle soup is also a common dish served in Northern and Eastern Europe.

Nettle Leaf Benefits

Nettles are also found in many tisanes, or herbal teas. In particular, nettle leaves are often found in teas that promote healthy pregnancy, as they are thought to provide many health benefits to both the expectant mother and her fetus. Many women drink nettle leaf tea late in their pregnancy to help prepare their bodies for labor.

Nettle leaves are prized for their high concentration of calcium, chlorophyl, iron, zinc, chromium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, and K. Nettles leaves are also thought to have many beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. They are thought to help reduce inflammation in the urinary tract. Many people believe that nettles are a diuretic, helping to cleanse and improve bladder and kidney functions. Additionally, many men use nettle leaf to help reduce inflammation in the prostate.

Nettles have also been used to help combat common allergies such as hay fever. Studies have shown that nettles have antihistamine properties that may help reduce allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itching. Nettles may also help reduce certain skin inflammations such as eczema.

Buy nettle leaf found in our Boku Superfood blend because we love it’s high concentration of chlorophyl, iron, vitamins, and it’s urinary and kidney cleansing properties.

[Image by Rebecca Lee]

sources: [1], [2], [3], [4]

The post Nettle Leaf Benefits, Known as a Supreme “Kidney Cleanser” appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

Earlier this week, you may have learned about the lesser known super food, the nopal cactus. Today we are going to learn more about maca root, one of the ingredients in our special BoKU blend.

What is Maca Powder?

The maca plant (Latin name Lepidium meyenii) is a small plant grown mostly in the Peruvian highlands. Maca is a naturally organic crop because it grows at very high elevations (between 8,000 and 14,000 ft above sea level), which is above the level where most pests thrive. Maca is related to both the radish and the turnip, and is cultivated for it’s roots. It grows well in harsh climates and poor soil, making it a staple for many people living in such regions.

Historians have been able to trace the use of the maca plant for food and medicinal purposes back hundreds of years, to the pre-Incan civilization. Some archeological sites have even found evidence of maca cultivation as far back as 1600 B.C.!

Maca Root Benefits? Regulating hormonal issues…including impotence

Maca root is most commonly used by people to help regulate hormonal problems. It is often recommended to women who are dealing with difficult symptoms of PMS, menopause, and estrogen imbalance. It has also been shown to aid and increase libido and sexual function, particularly in men. Studies have shown that maca root can increase sperm count and motility. It has also been used as a natural remedy for impotence – leading many people to nickname maca, “Peru’s natural viagra.”

The maca root is also high in amino acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, selenium, magnesium, and zinc. It is often recommend for people struggling with anemia, as it is a good source of iron. It is also classified as an adaptogenic herb, which means that it provides a natural energy boost by stimulating and supporting the adrenal glands. Since it does not affect the central nervous system, it’s a good energy source for people who want to avoid the “crash” associated with stimulants like caffeine.

Maca Root Benefits? It is rich in over 60 health boosting phyto-chemicals and compounds.

Many people love maca root for the natural strength, endurance, and energy they feel after consuming it. While maca root is cooked and eaten as a dietary staple in the Andes, it is most commonly found as a powdered supplement in North America and Europe. We have added maca root powder to our BoKU superfood because we love the sweet, nutty flavor and the vast health benefits that it can provide.

[Image by Dennis Jarvis]

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The post Maca Root Benefits: A Super Food Since 1600 BC! (And Peru’s “natural viagra”?) appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

More coming soon from Boku, but we wanted to share these exciting initial images and this highlight video, hot off the press!

Left – Right: Lynn (CEO) with Christina (Customer Service)

Team BoKU is Ready to Rock the Tough Mudder!

 

Team BoKU team captain, Juliana Sproles, World’s Toughest Mudder Female Champ, here with Lynn and Reno (BoKU Co-founders)

The post Sneak Preview of Team BoKU at Las Vegas Tough Mudder 2012! appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

BoKU Superfood has over fifty naturally organic ingredients in it. Most of these you’ve likely heard of, such as kale, spinach, spirulina, pomegranate, and blueberry. However, some of our special ingredients may be more unfamiliar to you. Over the next few weeks we are going to highlight some of these lesser-known foods and share a little bit of the incredible health benefits that these foods can provide.

Nopal Cactus: The Prized Super Food of Mexico!

One of the special ingredients that makes up the formulation of BoKU Superfood is nopal cactus. Nopal cactus is sometimes referred to as “prickly pear cactus.” The Nopal has been prized in Mexican and native american cultures for hundreds of years for it’s medicinal qualities. Most notably, it has been used to help lower blood glucose levels. Nopal cactus contain high levels of soluble fiber and pectin, which can lower blood glucose by decreasing absorption of sugar in the stomach and intestine. Some studies have even shown that nopal cactus can help lower high glucose levels in diabetic patients (1).

Nopal cactus is also often commonly used to help lower LDL cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that a daily intake of nopal cactus for six weeks helped lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, while still maintaining “good” HDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels(2). Additionally, nopal cactus is high in antioxidants, which are thought to help protect the lining of blood vessels and the lymphatic system.

Nopal Cactus: Cactus Fruit is Delicious and Wonderful

Not only that, but the nopal cactus is delicious! Both the juice and fruit is widely used in traditional mexican cuisine, and nopalitos is the most popular dish. Nopalitos are often cooked with scrambled eggs for breakfast, added to soups and chili’s, or and sliced thin and mixed into salads with tomatoes and onions. It is also commonly grilled and used as a garnish for fajitas.

We’ve added nopal cactus to our special BoKU Superfood Blend because we love it’s fresh, tangy flavor and it’s amazing health benefits.

[Image by Carlos Zavala]

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The post What Makes Nopal Cactus so Amazing? appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

Ever since we were young we’ve been told to take our daily vitamins.

Some of us have fond memories of picking vitamins off the shelf at the grocery store: a plastic bear filled with chewy bear-shaped tablets. Others have painful memories of having to swallow white chalky discs that left an unpleasant film in our mouths.

Whatever our experience, we believed we were taking care of our bodies by giving them the nutrients often lacking in our diets filled with over-processed food. But the question continues to arise: are these vitamins actually helping or hurting?

Natural Vitamins vs. Synthetic Vitamins

There are two categories of vitamins: synthetic and natural. While some people argue it’s better to take any vitamin than nothing at all, others are proposing that synthetic vitamins are ineffective. There are valid arguments on both sides.

The main difference in the vitamins is how they are derived. Synthetic vitamins are created in laboratories by biochemists. Natural vitamins are extracted directly from plant, mineral, or animal sources. For example, a natural vitamin derives Vitamin C directly from an orange while a synthetic vitamin derives it chemically from a lab.

So why not just take nutrients directly from their source? Creating vitamins synthetically allows a higher potency to be manufactured. In other words, the amount of Vitamin C extracted from a single orange pales in comparison to the amount a chemist can produce. This makes synthetic vitamins more cost effective and available. Being made in a lab also means the products are consistent in content and quality.

On the other hand, natural vitamins give you just what their name promises: something natural. They leave out artificial colors and preservatives. They also retain their cofactors that are often eliminated in labs when heat or pressure is applied. Perhaps most significantly in the debate, natural vitamins preserve their molecular structure, which some argue is compromised through the synthetic process. This would render a chemically created vitamin ineffective.

Keep Eating Nutrients from their Source – Natural Health

So…were all those vitamins growing up actually doing their jobs? It is difficult to say. The important thing is that you keep eating whole foods that provide nutrients from their source, while finding supplements that work for your body. If that means synthetic vitamins, take a moment to read the labels to make sure you are getting exactly what it is advertising.

Pay attention to how your body responds to different types of vitamins that you try, finding out what is the most effective for you.

And look into Boku’s Super Food products that can give you the natural nutritional boost you need.

[image by Bradley Sternke]

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

The post Should We Take Synthetic or Natural Vitamins? appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

During the Song Dynasty people began preserving tea by drying, grinding, and hardening leaves into little cakes. They would then whisk pieces of the powder into hot water to drink.

Japanese Matcha Green Tea

In the 8th century Japanese Zen monks traveled to China and enjoyed the taste and ritual of drinking tea. They decided to bring tea seeds back to Japan to grow in their own country. In the 11th century, as powdered tea lost popularity in China, the Zen monk Eisai began grinding tea leaves into his own form of tea powder. This created what we understand today as Japanese Matcha Green Tea. Eisai said:

“Tea is the ultimate mental and medical remedy and has the ability to make one’s life more full and complete.”

This is especially evident in the connection between Matcha and the Japanese tea ceremony Chado, meaning “Way of Tea.” The ceremony emulates harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. It celebrates the beauty in simple things, the extraordinary in the ordinary. During long periods of meditation, drinking Matcha Tea would help the monks be both focused and calm. It stimulated their minds while helping put them in a meditative state.

Benefits of Matcha Green Tea

It hasn’t been until more recently, in the 21st Century, that Matcha tea powder has made a prominent debut in the US. Today we have Matcha Green Tea available in everything from lattes to juice shots to ice cream. People are drawn to green tea natural health benefits and often find themselves feeling more rejuvenated and energized than when turning to their daily cup of coffee. In our fast-paced world we find it restores a little presence of mind, perhaps letting us stumble upon a taste of Eisai’s wisdom when we need it more than ever.

For these reasons, and many more, we are thrilled to offer you a place to Buy Matcha Green Tea Powder from Boku Super Matcha!

[image by Chris Gladis]

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

The post Matcha Tea Benefits: A Zen Pick-me-up Since the 11th Century appeared first on Boku SuperFood.

Sproles, a 42-­‐year-­‐old triathlon coach, fitness trainer and mother of two from Ojai, CA completed 6 laps of an intense 9-­‐mile course covering 40-­‐insanely difficult obstacles in 24 hours. Some of which include wading through mud, plummeting into freezing water and navigating through live electrical wires.

The Tough Mudder event, designed by British Special Forces has exploded in popularity in the last two years and is widely considered the toughest competition on the planet.

Sproles, a previous Ironman competitor, began the race with 1000 other elite athletes, many who were military trained. Twelve hours into the race, Sproles had completed three laps while hundreds of other competitors dropped out due to hypothermia, sprains and broken bones. In the 24th hour with less than 200 participants left, Sproles was closing in on the second place male competitor to finish first amongst woman and third overall.

“It was gnarly,” said Sproles. “The mud mile went on forever, with 8-­‐foot walls and slippery berms. Overnight temperatures in the low 20’s caused the ice to freeze a quarter inch thick by the early morning, we had to break through it with our hands and feet, and then slog through it and keep moving forward.”

Performance Nutrition for Obstacle Course Athletes

Sproles attributes her success to vigilant training but more importantly, solid nutritional support. Her sponsor, Boku International, provided Sproles with all of the high-­‐density nutritional products she needed to make it through the event.

“We had a strategy, and a plan, and we executed it,” Sproles explained. “I had Boku Super Food, Boku Super Protein, I ate my Boku bars, I also had immune tonic and Boku Matcha tea in my tent. The blend of the Boku products provided my nutritional needs for the event. I was able to go 24 hours and 10 minutes, to finish the last lap. I could not have done it without Boku.”

Sproles trained for months prior to the event. In addition to her fitness regime, Sproles religiously consumes Boku Superfoods. “She’s been really strict about maintaining her organic super food diet,” Boku Superfood founder Reno Rolle said. “She’s really living the Boku life. And obviously it paid off.”

During the race, Rolle and a group of supporters tracked Sproles’ status from a remote location. “We’re so excited and proud of Juliana,” Rolle said. “This is a game changer for athletes all over the world who want to maximize their performance potential and if Juliana could accomplish this with our super foods, imagine what we can do for everyday folks.”

Boku International’s products are all USDA certified organic, kosher and vegan. Boku nutritionals are completely free of GMOs, wheat, dairy, soy and gluten-free. Boku’s mission is to positively impact the highest number of people possible with the healing power of natural, organic nutrition. Boku products are available only online at www.bokusuperfood.com.

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