Why is Kiwi a Super Food?

In addition to boosting the immune system and detoxifying the liver, arginine, the amino acid found in kiwi fruit also is a part of many of our hormonal processes. Arginine stimulates the pancreas to release insulin which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce vasopressin (which works on blood vessels) and regulates growth hormone production. In fact the commercial grade arginine is used to evaluate growth hormone deficiancy.

The production of vasopressin causes the blood vessels to relax or dilate. Because of this effect western medicine has used arginine to treat problems like angina, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease and intermittent claudication. In addition, there is evidence to support it's use in other diseases that result as a problem with vasoconstriction. These include erectile disfunction and migraines.

Are you beginning to see why kiwi is a super food? Wait there is more!

Hormone Free or Antibiotic Free

When looking at labels, do you look for hormone free or antibiotic free? If you're looking for hormone free, you can stop when it comes to chicken or pork. A law was enacted in 1959 that chicken and pork had to be hormone free. Beef is and entirely different matter. You still need to read the labels for hormone free beef. Antibiotics are still used in all animals to stimulate growth. So you want to be looking at labels for "antibiotic free."

We tend to think of hormones and antibiotics just in terms of the meat. However, you should also be aware that milk can be coming from cows which have been injected with growth hormone to increase their milk production.

From a medical standpoint, we have no clear idea of the potential issues around eating foods that have have artificial hormones and antibiotics in them. One thing to ponder is that we have far more disease today than when these things were not available to enhance growth.