Hi Bundles,
The FIRST thing is NO ANIMAL ANYTHING! Anything that had a face. Animal foods are the only food that have cholesterol.
SECOND thing... I love alfalfa sprouts. Of course there are many live foods that are great for cholesterol, but right now I don't have information in front of me, so here is a bit about alfalfa sprouts and cholesterol (more reading for you... LOL!)
Water
This remarkable plant contains a myriad
of essential nutrients and is abundant
in health benefits.
Alfalfa is really a member of the pea family, making it a legume. It is indeed a remarkable plant as it can be planted anywhere in the world, at any time of the year, regardless of temperature and climate and it harvests in only 7 days. Perhaps God is making this highly nutritive food easily available to us?
| Alfalfa sprouts derived from alfalfa seeds. They are white and thread-like, with tiny green tops. Its juice tastes mild and can be easily mixed with any other juices. In 1995, there was a wide-spread report of salmonella bacteria contamination of alfalfa sprouts in Chicago. It was an isolated case as the two reported incidents were traced to a single source of contaminated seeds that were imported. Each year salmonella contamination from chicken meat, eggs and beef |
affect many more millions of people compared to these two isolated cases of alfalfa contamination.
Alfalfa sprouts are pesticide-free and are hydroponically grown. It is still safe for consumption despite the unwarranted scare.
Nutritional Benefits
Alfalfa sprouts juice contains a myriad of valuable nutrients such as calcium, folic acid, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, zinc. This is the only plant that supplies the full range of vitamins, from vitamin A, B complex (even B12), C, E to K. Alfalfa sprouts placed in indirect sun for a couple of days before harvesting, even produce nutritious blood-healing chlorophyll. |
Health Benefits
The wide range and high concentration of so many compounds present in alfalfa sprouts juice make this plant highly nutritive. Remember I talked about the amazing power of synergy?
Anti-oxidant rich: Alfalfa sprouts is the top source of anti-oxidant among all vegetables. By drinking this juice regularly, it could prevent untold number of degenerative diseases. Some examples are heart disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and even cancer.
Arthritis: A compound in alfalfa sprouts inhibits inflammation, making this plant highly beneficial for arthritis sufferers.
High blood pressure: Eat your way out of high-blood pressure with this plant that contains something magical that helps lower blood pressure.
Immune booster: Drinking alfalfa sprouts juice regularly will greatly boost your immune function as it increases the activity of your natural killer cells.
Leukemia: Recent studies also suggested that an amino-acid called L-canavanine, may be a natural agent that is effective to fight leukemia.
Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol: The active components in alfalfa have been tested to lower LDL cholesterol accumulation in the liver.
Short-sightedness: A study shows that this juice may also be responsible in the treatment of short-sightedness.
Ulcers of the intestine: This highly nutritive juice is also very gentle and healing for patients with ulcers in the intestine.
Consumption Tips
Alfalfa sprouts are easily available nowadays at most health or vegetarian stores and the food section in supermarkets. They usually come in a small square, clear plastic containers in which they were grown.
Buy only sprouts that have been kept at refrigerator temperature. Choose sprouts that are crisp, clean, moist and has no sign of yellowing or rotting.
Refrigerated, it can keep for four to five days, but the "eat fresh" principle applies. Try not to keep them for too long.
The good thing that came out of the salmonella bacteria contamination is that, it teaches us never to take hygiene for granted. Rinse your alfalfa sprouts thoroughly with water before juicing.
Caution
Individuals who have or are at risk for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) should avoid or limit alfalfa consumption. Though not proven in human, this juice may induce or worsen this condition.
No matter how good anything is, remember moderation always. Never overdo by overdosing.
Great post Water!
Never eat anything with a face! I've heard that many times, it needs to be repeated over and over again. If we would adhere to it we'd be a much healthier society for sure and for certain!
Blessings,
Willow
I would also like to add that all animal products have bad cholesterol.
Egg yolks, cheese, whole milk, butter, ice cream and on and on lol!
Also, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fat because they can raise your LDL even though they aren't considered "high cholesterol" foods.
The best thing to do is to only eat fruits and veggies, hard as that may be lol, but we can train ourselves. I'm in that process right now.
Willow
Good post Willow!
Thanks for adding this important fact to the cholesterol question:
Also, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fat because they can raise your LDL even though they aren't considered "high cholesterol" foods.
Our bodies do need 'healthy fats'. We can get these from eating whole fruits and vegetables and also from high quality cold pressed oils such as olive and coconut to name two of my favorites. One caution: Do not cook using olive oil. Heating olive oil to cooking temperatures will destroy the healthy state of this oil. It is better to add oils to cooked foods just before serving or better yet add them to RAW FOODS!
Water
Hi eme,
I think you brought up a important topic we all deal with:
I love alfalfa!! eat it all the time but all I ever hear is: "BE CAREFUL, IT CARRIES SALMONELLA!!!"
The first thing people do when I talk about being vegan or eating any particular HEALTHY-RAW food is say something bad about it!!! Like: "avocados are so fattening", "I could never be vegan-i'd die without my protein"... this is getting me worked up so im going to stop ; )
I have an idea about this. Let's start a post where everyone can add their comments and ideas of how we can answer people when they respond to us when we talk about vegan or healthy eating. Then, when we are faced with the negative attitudes from family, coworkers or friends we will have a one or two sentence response at the ready! Or better yet we could put together a short 'newsletter' type paper that has this information. All we would have to do is hand a copy to anyone who is short-sighted/uneducated about healthy eating habits.
Alfalfa and all sprouts would be a good one.
Plant sources of protein.
Animal foods and chloresterol.
You get the idea???
I agree this is a subject that can get a person 'worked-up'. I think we could arm ourselves with some easy to understand facts and food-for-thought responses to negative reactions. Knowledge is Power.. let's see if we can share some knowledge.
Water
Thank you everyone. Man oh man, do i ever have my work cut out for me. I'm kind of overwhelmed with all the new info I've gotten in the past week!
Got to get some alfalfa sprouts, and get back to castor oil packs....
I'm going to do my CE and go to bed. Want this day to end. Got out of bed this morning feeling better, convinced this was all just anxiety -- and i know i can beat that.
Now I'm fearful again! (imagine that. ha.)
-B