Asparagus - The Cure All?

 

I have read many articles, emails, and stories about the health benefits of the brilliant super food, asparagus.  Can a vegetable really be as mighty as what asparagus claims to be?  Can it really "cure" or prevent cancer?  I really shouldn't go further about the health benefits without first addressing a sexy word, glutathione.  I don't want to be a bore, so I will make  haste. 

Glutathione is a small protein composed of three amino acids; cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine.  Glutathione is the mother of antioxidants.  It is also a super anti-carcinogenic.  And we consume far more carcinogens than we should through our food and drinks.  On the plus side, our bodies naturally produce glutathione but it also gets depleted through bad diet, stress, environment, pollution, trauma, aging, radiation, stress, and medication.  This exhausts the liver and it is slow performing its job of detoxification.  This can lead to all sorts of ugliness like infections and cancer.   

Lack of glutathione is found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, cancer, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, diabetes, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, asthma, kidney problems, liver disease and more.  Our ability to produce and maintain high levels of glutathione is critical for our health.  Guess what veggie has the highest levels of glutathione....you guessed right, asparagus!

According the National Cancer Institute, asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, one of the body's most potent cancer fighters.  At 25 calories a stock, high in folic acid, vitamins A, B6, K, and C, calcium, iron, and fiber, it is one kick butt super food.

Who has your back?  Asparagus!

• It makes the heart happy


• Fights depression making you happy


• Lowers cholesterol


• Super strong antioxidant


• Helps cleanse the body and kidneys (thank you stinky pee)


• Contains anti-cancer properties


• Is like the energizer bunny and keeps you going and going and going...


• Great for your gastrointestinal tract and your colon


• Has antioxidant agents that prevents the effects of aging


• Last but not least, it has been used as an aphrodisiac to increase sexual and comforting feelings!!

This morning I tried something new....I juiced it.  I know you are now thinking, why am I reading this insane blog, nasty, n-e-v-e-r.   I decided to do this because of all the health benefits of asparagus and also, I was gifted my dream juicer by my awesome extended family!  THANK YOU!  The asparagus juice was... not bad.  I was expecting a lot worse.  I did combine it with carrots, celery, kale, pear, apple, and cucumber.  The taste was kind of hidden and really, what I get out of it is crazy energy and transforming my body into combat mode! 

Another adored way of preparing the lovely green spears is roasting it. 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400

Grab 2 pounds of organic asparagus

Snap the ends off

drizzle with good olive oil, salt, and pepper

Roast for about 25 minutes

Hint:  You want them to be still a bit snappy.  The longer they cook the more the nutrients are depleted.  I like to just quickly roast them and they taste delish! 

 Add a dash of lemon and you are good to go. 

"Laughter is the most healthful exertion."
Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland