100% Organic Red Food Blend

A potent blend of organic natural plant foods, rich in carotenoids the precursors of vitamin A.

Carrot

ANTIOXIDANT - The carrot is often said to be "the king of vegetables". It is the richest source of pro-vitamin A carotenes among the commonly consumed vegetables. Unlike vitamin A, beta-carotene and other carotenes found in carrots do not cause toxicity. Based on extensive human studies, a diet including as little as one carrot per day could conceivably cut the rate of lung cancer in half.
IMMUNE SUPPORT - Beta-carotene has been shown to exert many beneficial effects on the immune system. A primary aspect is protection of the thymus gland from damage, the major gland of our immune system. Carotenes have been shown to enhance the function of several types of white blood cells and to increase the antiviral and cell protective properties of immune system mediators like interferon.
MUCOUS MEMBRANE HEALTH - Beta carotene benefits the skin and is anti-inflammatory for the mucous membranes, providing support and protection against lesions of the lung, digestive tract, and urinary tract. Carrots are alkaline forming and help clear acidic blood conditions.
SKIN HEALTH - The rich antioxidant and silicon content of carrots helps strengthen connective tissue and supports overall skin health.
EYE HEALTH - The abundance of carotenoids found in carrots is beneficial for optimising visual function. Beta carotene and other carotenoids such as lutein play key roles in maintaining various structures in the eye, such as the macular and retina.

Beetroot

LIVER SUPPORTIVE - Beetroot has long been used for medicinal purposes, primarily focusing on disorders of the liver. Beetroot would appear to have a blood cleansing effect as well as reducing liver stagnancy. Effects of beetroot on moistening the intestines and reducing constipation also encourages healthy liver function.
SKIN HEALTH - The rich antioxidant and silicon content of beetroot helps strengthen connective tissue and supports overall skin health. The powerful collagen supporting antioxidant anthocyanidin is also found in beetroot, this contributes to the deep pigment colour.
BLOOD BUILDING - Beetroot is useful source of bioavailable iron and contains other blood building factors such as folic acid. Beetroot has been shown to have a striking ability to increase cellular uptake of oxygen
CELLULAR PROTECTION - Research has shown an inhibitory effect of Beta vulgaris (beetroot) extract on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA), and has revealed a high order of activity compared to capsanthin, cranberry, red onion skin and short and long red bell peppers. Studies have also revealed a significant tumour inhibitory effect. The combined findings suggest that beetroot ingestion can be one of the useful means to help prevent cellular alterations.
TONIC EFFECTS - Beetroot has a long history of benefit as a tonic to both build up resistance and to treat convalescents after a serious illness. It is a nutritious and suitable tonic for the entire digestive tract.

Tomato

ANTIOXIDANT - Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which according to a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997:66:116-22), is the most powerful of all the dietary carotenoids.
CELLULAR PROTECTION - Lycopene is an antioxidant that once absorbed by the body, helps to prevent and repair damaged cells. Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals in the body and have been shown to inhibit DNA oxidation that can lead to some cancers. Antioxidants are the internal bodyguards that protect our cells from free radicals. The degenerative effects of free radicals are not limited to cancer - they can also cause blockages in the arteries, joint deterioration, nervous system degradation and aging.
PROSTATE SUPPORT - Researchers have found that the dietary intake of lycopene was linked to a lower risk of prostate problems. They also found that higher levels of lycopene in the blood lowered the risk of cell proliferation, which would theoretically exert a powerful anti-cancer effect.
CHOLESTEROL REDUCTION - Lycopene is a lipid soluble antioxidant that is transported in the blood through lipoproteins. The absorption of lycopene and other carotenoids, including beta-carotene and vitamin E, has been shown to prevent the oxidation of LDL (or bad) cholesterol.
CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION - Scientists at Johns Hopkins University report that smokers with low levels of carotenoids are at an increased risk for heart disease. Lower blood lycopene levels are also associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease according to studies with Lithuanian and Swedish people. Another study of people from 10 different European countries, measured the relationship between antioxidant levels and acute heart disease. It was found that the consumption of lycopene in fruits and vegetables may reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease.

Cayenne

ANTIOXIDANT - Capsaicin is the active compound of cayenne pepper. Other active compounds include carotenoids, vitamin C and volatile oils. The carotene molecules of cayenne exert powerful antioxidant effects.
PAIN RELIEF - Capsaicin an alkaloid found in cayenne is known to mimic the effect of some the prostaglandins and has been shown to improve healing from post-herpetic neuralgia and to reduce pain in diabetic neuropathy.
CIRCULATORY STIMULANT - Studies have shown that cayenne reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis by reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels; in addition it also reduces platelet aggregation and increases fibrinolytic activity.
DIGESTIVE AID - Cayenne has been shown to stimulate gastric acid secretion, thus aiding digestive function and increasing the sterilizing capacity of the stomach against potential infections.

Dosage

As a food source this blend can be used throughout the day as a nutritious, antioxidant rich food supplement and culinary spice.

Potential applications

Cardiovascular support, nutritional support for eye and skin health, prostate protection, pain relief, diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headaches, mouth pain due to chemotherapy or radiation, psoriasis, congestive mucous states, respiratory infections, inflammation, arthritis, immune dysfunction, poor dietary intake, pre-tanning aid, malabsorption/low gastric acid, cell protection, poor peripheral circulation, liver tonic.

Known contraindications

Chronic ulcerative conditions may warrant avoidance due to irritation.

Use in conjunction with

Prostate function - saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, antioxidants
Skin health - zinc complex, EFAs, milk thistle
Digestive function - digestive aid, fibre complex, probiotics
Circulation - hawthorn, ginkgo biloba, flax seed oil

Note

Cayenne, although hot to the taste, actually lowers body temperature by stimulating the cooling centre of the hypothalamus in the brain.

REFERENCES

Kohlmeir L. Kark JD, Gomez-Gracia E, Martin BC, Steck SE, Kardinaal SFM, Ringstad J, Thamm M, Masaev V, Riemersma R, Martin-Moreno JM, Huttunen JK, Kok FJ. Lycopene and myocardial infarction risk in the EURAMIC study. Am J Epidemiol 146:618-26, 1997
Kanetsky PA, Gammon MD, Mandelblatt J, Zhang ZF, Ramsey E, Dnistrian A, Norkus EP, Wright TCJr. Dietary intake and blood levels of lycopene: association with cervical dysplasia among non-hispanic, black women. Nutr Cancer 31:31-40, 1998
Giovannucci E. Tomatoes, tomato-based products, lycopene and cancer: review of the epidemiological literature. J Natl Cancer Inst 91:317-331, 1999
Rao AV, Agarwal S. Role of lycopene as antioxidant carotenoid in the prevention of chronic diseases: a review. Nutr Res 19:305-323, 1999
Pincemail J. Free radicals and antioxidants in human disease. In Favier AE, Cadet J, Kalyanaraman B, Fontecave M, Pierre J-L (eds): "Analysis of Free Radicals in Biological Systems". Basel, Switzerland: Birkhäuser Verlag, pp 83-98, 1995
Ames BN, Gold LS, Willet WC. Causes and prevention of cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:5258-5265, 1995
Shigenaga MK, Hagen TM, Ames BN. Oxidative damage and mitochondrial decay in aging. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:10771-8, 1994
Witztum JL: The oxidation hypothesis of atherosclerosis. Lancet 344:793-795, 1994

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