A recent study at the University of Toronto examined whether Genuine Health greens+ powdered, plant-based supplements can reduce acidity in the body. Why? An acidic body is a result of a Bad Diet too high in animal protein, fat, carbs and sugar, and too low in fruit and veggies. Research links Bad Diet to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol as well as to increased risks of osteoperosis, obesity and cardiovascular disease. The idea behind the investigation was that an ingestible supplement able to neutralize an acidic body can, by extension, reduce cortisol and perhaps those health risks, too.
Prelim results, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, do indeed suggest that greens+ lowers acidity in the body. Confirming the findings will take more study, and yes, the paper itself acknowledges that having a healthy diet is preferable to relying on supplements, but still I took notice.
I was familiar with greens+, had heard many an enviably super-fit person gush about the stuff, and used it myself in healthier times. But I abandoned it when things got hectic. After all, if I wasn’t eating well, what was the point of taking greens+? Isn’t that like having a whole pizza, chocolate cake, and then a diet coke?
Maybe not.
For about a month I’ve been using greens+ to coax myself back to healthier living. Too little sleep and nearly zero physical activity since around June ’08 had ratcheted up my stress-hormone levels and eventually torpedoed my body’s ability to deal with it. I was cortisol’s bitch. What cortisol wanted, cortisol got: carbs, sugar, carbs and sugar. Comfort stuff, because my body wasn’t getting enough sleep to comfort itself. Hello, Slugtown.
A daily dose of greens+ seemed to help within a couple of weeks. I started to feel better, a smidge more energetic and increasingly able to exert self-control in regard to food choices. At some point I added o3mega+joy, a stress-management greens+ capsule formula that uses essential fatty acids from fish oil (completely without fishy taste or smell) for a gentle mood boost. It’s still early days, and Christmas feasting interrupted, but with each greens+ day, I’m craving Bad Diet less and less, and thinking more and more about working out. Well, walking, anyway. A start.
Of course determination is a huge factor. Slugtown is not a great place to be, especially after spending time in Light’n'LivelyVille. The time of year is an influence as well — I don’t like to make resolutions, but of course I’m affected by the steady “now’s-the-time” messages. All that said, it still comes down to this: every day, healthier decisions seem easier. And each healthy choice makes the next healthy choice easier. Momentum.
So what’s this got to do with better skin? Remember cortisol? According to naturopathic doc Alan C. Logan, author of The Clear Skin Diet and R&D co-ordinator for Genuine Health, “cortisol attacks collagen, the scaffolding of the skin.” My poor skin certainly has paid a bit of a price for the last few months. But with good-skin eats advice from Dr. Joey Shulman, D.C., registered nutritionist, and Dr. Logan, here’s how I’m going to fix it and check off some pesky resolutions besides.
Genuine Health greens+ and other Genuine Health products are available at Well.ca (free shipping in Canada).
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I have some greens+ powder, but I slip it in my smoothies as I can’t handle the taste of it straight-up with water. How do you take it? Capsules or powder?
Kat has asked my question as well! How are you consuming this Janine? I used to take Greens+ years ago, but it was when I regularly consumed Arthur’s juices, which I don’t anymore….
(My comment-thread option messed up the order of posted comments, so I have to re-organize them so they make sense. This answer was originally posted 7 January 2009 at 1:38 pm)
Thanks for the question, Kat and Holly — I can’t believe I left that part out. I meant to say!
You can mix with juice, or yes, put it in a smoothie. Sugar is my enemy, so I can’t bring myself to add the 23 g of sugar per cup of O.J. First thing in the A.M., I throw the unflavoured stuff into a plastic cup with a lid, shake it up quick and toss it back fast. But there are FLAVOURED versions! Okay, I didn’t like the Mixed Berry at all because it was way sweet for me, and I haven’t tried the Watermelon yet, but I’m keen to try the Tangerine flavour. Should help!
I have mixed berry, and I think it was that flavour that I didn’t like. Maybe I’ll try plain. Let me know how Tangerine is.
(answer originally posted 7 January 2009 at 6:04 pm.)
Will do! I’m finding plain easier to take than the berry, but still wince every once in a while. That said, it’s over quickly and for me, worth the benefits. I’m hopeful about Tangerine, though, definitely *grin*
So, how much to you mix? (how much powder, how much water?) I think I have tried the mixed berry too, and didn’t care for it either.
(answer originally posted 8 January 2009 at 2:49 pm)
According to the package, 1 cup water then 3 rounded teaspoons of powder. My rounded tsps are generous, and water first is important — otherwise the powder goops up at the bottom of the cup. (I have one of the greens+ shaker cups, a plastic thing with a lid. Shakey shakey, wakey wakey!)
I also take two capsules of o3mega+joy with a meal at some point during the day. More good-for-skin and good-for-mood essential fatty acids!
Another thing you can do is put it in your tea! I find that makes the taste a bit easier to take. Just don’t boil it – wait until the tea has steeped and then remove the tea bag and stir in.
God, you’re fast with these posts! You always beat me to the punch! I blame Cortisol. :-)
In your tea? Now that’s an interesting approach. Must try!
This is a older yet-still-relevant post, actually Michelle — and I’m annoyed with myself for slipping back into cortisol’s clutches since I wrote this!
GAAAH. CanNOT do the Mixed Berry flavour in tea. Waaaay too sweet. Better in cold water so I can chug it. I’ll try another flavour in tea, though. After I get through this one. Did I mention GAAAAH?
I use a lot of their products already, looking forward to trying this one out too.
Oshawa