A good mixture with healthy amounts of greens (spirulina, chlorella and barley grass), vegetable powders (carrot, broccoli, spinach and others), and anti-oxidants (fruits, beet root, milk thistle, pomegranate, green tea and more). The formula is very similar to Antioxidant Natural Greens (see link and compare), which has more flax meal and is, consequently, less expensive. The flax provides Omega-3 fatty acids, but also creates more bulk in the mixture, which lowers the manufacturing cost. Overall, this is a good mixture, but it seems a bit expensive for what you get.
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July 12th, 2008
This formulation is different than most others, in that it’s focus is on both nutrition and amino acids. Hence, the formula contains some greens (mostly from spirulina and grasses), but also includes a great number of aminos from various sources (nuts, beans, molasses, alfalfa seeds, etc.). These types of ingredients are more expensive, hence the hefty price tag. You need to decide if the mixture is worthwhile for you, or if you’d be better off purchasing nuts and molasses and adding them to a more cost-effective formulation.
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July 12th, 2008
This is essentially a gluten-free version of Prime Directive, which is formulated for nutrition and amino acids. Like the other product, this one is quite expensive and you might find it a better option to purchase a good gluten-free green drink and add your own nuts and amino acids. This requires a bit more work, so it’s for each person to decide.
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July 12th, 2008
UPDATED: June, 2010
This product has a lot of fiber and filler, but it’s also a very low-priced product. And for the price, it’s actually not a bad product with plenty of greens and special herbs. The manufacturer boasts a high protein content, which is true when you add it all up. But while it can be argued that chia seeds provide fatty acids, that peas and brown rice have protein, and that lecithin is good for digestion and elimination…the truth is, these are all relatively low-priced fillers (chia seeds less so) for those who know about green drink formulation. The greens in this product (mostly barley grass, spirulina and some spinach, kale, and other veggie powders) provide the bulk of the nutrition and it also offers a few well-chosen special herbs (dandelion, astragalus, ginger and milk thistle are the most notable). Sweetened with Stevia, which will appeal to some and not others. Good price at only $2.20 per ounce.
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July 6th, 2008
This product, while on the expensive side, is almost completely without fillers of any kind. It contains just a bit of brown rice solids, but otherwise, it’s pure functional. It features spinach and other healthy veggie powders (kale, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts), plus fruit powders like blueberry, cranberry, pomegranate and papaya. This explains the price point of the product; it contains high-end ingredients and pure vegetable and fruit powders. Overall, This is an excellent formulation if a bit expensive at $5.51 per ounce.
Compare this toVitamineral Green, which also has no fillers, but uses a different philosophy in formulation — using more grasses and spirulina instead of the veggies and fruits in Berry Green. Both are good formulations. (more…)
July 6th, 2008
A well-rounded mixture with the emphasis on fiber, veggie powders and greens (in that order). Unfortunately, we feel that they went a little overboard with the fibers, which consist of more than 1/2 of the mix. They also use a fiber containing a fructose-derived ingredient, which helps the taste of the product, but adds fructose to your diet…something you probably don’t need. Anyway, other than this, but mixture is good and carries a compelling price tag.
Manufacturer’s Description
Scientific studies confirm that phytonutrients such as chlorophyll, polyphenols, carotenoids and other antioxidants help protect the body from free radical damage. Green Defense® is rich in phytonutrients that help support the body’s self-defense mechanisms, detoxify and nourish the body, and assist in the achievement of total well being.
Where to Purchase
Health stores.
Online health stores.
Taste
n/a
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to enlarge image
Pros
Lots of vegetable powders and greens for a decent price.
Cons
This formula contains a large percentage of fibers, including FOS, a fructose-based fiber.
Recommended Usage
Add 1 scoop of powder to 6 oz. water or juice. Mix or blend until smooth. Take as a dietary supplement or as directed by your qualified health care consultant.
Certifications & Manufacturing
n/a
Price
6.35 oz = $25.95
Price per oz = $4.08
July 6th, 2008
Antioxidant Greens has a unique approach to green drinks. It is formulated to provide everything you need — omega-3 fatty acids (from flax), green drink nutrients (from land and sea vegetables), and antioxidants (from fruits and green tea). Where most green drinks fall short in the antioxidant side of the equation, Antioxidant Natural Greens actually does well enough in each of these areas that you might not need much else in your basic nutrition foundation. Many drinks don’t attempt this because the taste is rather difficult to get right — but this product is flavored (with natural flavoring and stevia for sweetener) to overcome the taste barrier. You’ll have to try it to see if you like the taste — not everyone will. If you do, this is a great value at under $3 per ounce.
If you want a similar formulation without the flax (provides fatty acids but is also used as filler), then compare this with Delicious Greens 8000.
(more…)
July 5th, 2008
Boku has an excellent mixture of land vegetables (including maca root, nettles, and nopal cactus), algaes, sea vegetables and probiotics, with a focus on maca and kelp. Boku is not bad tasting, probably because of the maca, flax meal and a bit of carob root thrown in for good taste (literally). Boku also contains a simple fruit blend that may or may not be worthwhile in a green drink, depending on whether or not you also take an antioxidant juice drink. Boku is a lot more expensive than other formulations at nearly $6 per ounce.
Manufacturer’s Description
Boku Super Food is not just a green food, it is a super food complex with benefits from essential fatty acids from flax seed meal, hormonal balance properties from Maca root, and phytonutrients from an array of fruits (which are also a great source of anti-oxidants) plus probiotics and enzymes. Every ingredient in Boku Super Food is 100% functional. It contains no fillers. Everything is in there for a reason. It is a true super food.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Earthy. Slightly Fishy. Slightly Spicy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to view image
Pros
Well rounded formulation with plenty of kelp and maca, two ingredients that are high in nutrients and low in cost. Boku also has a basic fruit blend and a fairly neutral taste.
Cons
Boku is a good formula, but way overpriced at nearly $6 per ounce. You can get the price down by buying three at a time.
Recommended Usage
One or two servings per day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
100% vegan
100% Gluten Free
Price
10 oz = $59.95 ($5.99 per ounce)
30 oz (three bottles) = $89.95 ($3.00 per ounce)
Price per oz = $5.99
July 5th, 2008
Many people find it difficult to control portions and that’s a key to controlling weight. But if you find that you’re hungry all the time, try filling up on greens. You can eat as much salad and green leafy vegetables as you like –- or even use a green superfood to fill up before you eat. You’ll find it easier to keep the rest of your food quantities under control.
June 28th, 2008
It bears repeating: Hydration is probably the best way to keep your skin looking younger. Drink plenty of water all day long to keep your skin hydrated and looking supple. All other beauty treatments come after this.
June 28th, 2008
Skin brushing is well known in health circles as a terrific way to stimulate circulation, cleanse the skin and get your lymphatic system pumping. Just use a lufa or skin brush and rub away before you shower.
June 28th, 2008
Don’t let your morning coffee ritual make you feel that you’re being unhealthy. Try one of the new, healthy coffees to hit the market, such as Café Sanora, which is full of anti-oxidants…or helva coffee, which is low in acid. Technology is helping us keep our favorite morning drink!
June 28th, 2008
UPDATED Feb, 2010
New Greens is a formula is a robust mixture that is well balanced and very close to what I would create if I made a general-purpose green drink. It’s greens blend is heavy on algaes (Spirulina & Chlorella) and alfalfa with a variety of grass juices thrown in. Land veggies include carrot, spinach, tomato, kale, broccoli, beet and others. All very good choices. It also includes a variety of antioxidant sources, including some herbs and fruits. The greens, veggies, and antioxidants make up 60% of the mixture, which is an excellent ratio. In addition, New Greens contains some special herbal additions worth highlighting, including royal jelly, pollen, green tea, milk thistle, tumeric, and ginko biloba. Again, these are all very good choices for a green drink. It has a small amount of fibrous meal in the form of flaxseed meal, apple pectin, and brown rice solids. Unfortunately, it also includes some guar gum, but not enough to complain about. Not everyone will like the taste, which is flavored with mint and stevia, so it’s sweet and minty with a hint of freshly cut grass. Over all this is an excellent mixture with a decent price tag. It weighs in at $3.97 per ounce.
Manufacturer’s Description
NewGreens™ has been exclusively formulated by Dr. Chad Larson to address the antioxidant power of increased fruit and vegetable intake. Additionally, our unique formula contains the botanicals essential for cell regeneration, immune system enhancement and balance. The catalyst for all of this is our synergistic enzyme blend. Finally, our fiber and probiotic formulations ensure optimal digestive health and detoxification.
NewGreens™ is also the most comprehensive and powerful Green Drink of it’s kind. Our “Original Formula” contains 68 different super foods, antioxidants, fibers, probiotics, gentle detox blend, and a healing enzyme blend has been enjoyed by thousands of satisfied customers since its release.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Sweet and Minty.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Essentia Blend 3,000 mg
Chlorella (cracked cell), Spirulina, Alfalfa*, Kamut grass, Wheat grass*, Barley grass*, Oat grass*, Rye grass dehydrated juice powders, Dunaliella Salina (*Organic)
Power Veggie Blend 2,000 mg
(*Organic) Carrot*, Spinach, Tomato*, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Parsley, Beet*, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Celery, Cucumber dehydrated juice powders
Antioxidant Supreme Blend 1,000 mg
Royal Jelly, Bee Pollen, Green Tea Extract (Decaf) (80% Polyphenols), Grapeseed Extract (95% Polyphenols), Blue Green Algae, Dulse, Blueberry, Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Strawberry, Blackberry, Cranberry, Prune, Apple, Quercetin, Kelp
Gentle Fiber Blend 1,000 mg
Flaxseed meal, Apple fiber pectin, Brown rice bran, Glucomannan, Guar gum, Plantago ovata
Restorative Detox Blend 1,000 mg
Milk Thistle (80% silymarins), Turmeric (85% curcuminoids), Lecithin, Ginger (5% gingerols), Licorice root, Resveratrol, Dandelion, Aloe leaf, Ginko biloba (24% ginkgoheterosides and 6% terpene lactones), Bilberry (25% anthocyanidins)
Non-Dairy Probiotic Blend 1,000 mg
Chickory Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Saccharomyces boulardii, L. sporogenes, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, Bifidobacterium bifidus
Healing Enzyme Blend 1,000 mg
Protease (50,000 HUT), Papain (30,000 USP), Bromelain (2400 GDU), Lipase (40 USP/mg), Amylase (210 USP/mg), Cellulase (75 CU/mg)
NewGreens Flavor
All-Natural Mint flavor & Stevia
click to enlarge image
Pros
Excellent formulation with plenty of powdered greens, veggies, bee products and herbs like milk thistle, tumeric and green tea. Stands out with its focus on vegetable powders and low filler content. Good price.
Cons
You may not like the taste of the sweet stevia and mint combo.
Recommended Usage
Simply add one scoop to 10 oz. of juice, cold water or your preferred milk such as rice, almond or soy. Mix well. Enjoy at least once a day!
Certifications & Manufacturing
Certified ORAC value of 4680 per serving (10 grams) or 46,800 per 100 grams.
100% vegetarian
Price
10.58 oz = $41.95 ($3.97 per ounce)
43.40 oz (three pack+1 free) = $139.85 ($3.22 per ounce)
$3.97 per oz.
Simply add one scoop to 10 oz. of juice, cold water or your preferred milk such as rice, almond or soy. Mix well. Enjoy at least once a day!
June 28th, 2008
Alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders, depression and other such ailments often require a variety of treatments that range from alternative medicine to support therapy…from body detoxification to traditional medical treatments. A good treatment center will employ all these methods in ways that suit each patient personally and individually. When looking for a detox center, look for this type of holistic approach. You never know which component will be the most valuable in a detox/rehab experience. Another idea is to get away from familiar surroundings and into a supportive, natural and inspiring environment.
There’s nothing like nature and a focus on your own health and well being to take you away from the pull of addiction…and that must be combined with the support of a group and expert practitioners. This is a delicate and difficult combination to find, but one that’s well worth the search. One good center on the west coast is Cliffside Malibu. This is an intimate but professional location with a complete roster of treatments, including Alcohol Rehab and Drug Rehabilitation. They also have Drug Treatment services.
June 26th, 2008
The most basic formula I found was Dr. Schulze’s Super Food. This product is a simple mixture of the most basic ingredients with nothing noteworthy to help it stand out from the crowd. The land vegetables are minimal and the product focuses on spirulina and chlorella as its key ingredients — giving it an especially horrible taste . The good news is that it has the lowest price point of the group — at only $2.43 per ounce. I suppose you can take the money you save and buy the flavoring ingredients you’ll need to disguise taste of this product.
Recently, Dr. Schulze came out with a deluxe formula, called Super Food Plus, which has a much more competitive list of ingredients, including grasses, seaweed, beet and spinach leaf, orange peel and lemon peels. Unfortunately, he also added a bit of nutritional yeast, which is rich in nutrients, but many people cannot eat it due to bloating and gastric problems. Shulze claims that the yeast in this product is heated to destroy the “yeast” effect, but not the nutrients. You can try it out and be the judge. The product is still among the least expensive at $2.57 per ounce and this makes is a great value, even though it’s not the most robust formulation.
Manufacturer’s Description
100% Organic Vitamin & Mineral Food concentrate. The constant bombardment we call modern living devours nutrients like a raging forest fire with a 100 m.p.h. tailwind! Getting the extra nutritional blast from my SuperFood Plus can be the missing link you’ve been searching for in your health program. What’s even better is that you can assimilate these foods so easily, the nutrients can enter your bloodstream and go to work within 15 minutes.
Where to Purchase
Online at the company’s web site.
Taste
Very grassy. Slightly earthy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
n/a
Pros
Very good value. Strong in grasses and spirulina. Citrus peel is a good addition. Good formula for enhancing with your own added ingredients.
Cons
Horrible taste. Not the most robust of formulas.
Recommended Usage
Two rounded tablespoons of SuperFood Plus, added to your favorite juice or blender drink gives you 2 to 5 of most vitamins you need for the entire day. If you are not used to nutritional drinks, then for the first week use only 1 tablespoon of SuperFood Plus, and then work you way up to 2 tablespoons.
Certifications
n/a
Price
$2.43 per oz.
June 22nd, 2008
This formulation is quite cost effective. It is high in Spirulina and Chlorella, two very nutritive ingredients that don’t cost a fortune. The formula uses nutritional yeast (a kind of brewer’s yeast) in the place of a filler to bulk-up the mix. Some people will prefer this to the flaxseed meal, rice solids or apple pectin used by other formulators. Some won’t. The yeast is said to be non-active, so it does not cause bloating and other reactions and it’s highly nutritional. Other highlights are dendelion, kelp (great nutrition for a great price) and beet root.
Manufacturer’s Description
Enerfood is highly digestible and is absorbed very quickly into your body. It provides a dense and highly concentrated absorbable nutrition in a powdered form. That means when you mix it with fluids, the vitamin and mineral-rich molecules can be easily processed by your body’s digestive system. This no caffeine and vegan whole food formula provides greater energy through better nutrition as well as immune system support using 20 organic or wildcrafted ingredients, including spirulina, chlorella, non-active saccharomyces cervisiae nutritional yeast, dulse, kelp and many other active herbal ingredients. Alkalizes your system dramatically! Formulated as a synergistic blend for health and energy, dealing with virtually every major body system. No fillers, main ingredients are Spirulina and Chlorella, not many around like this.
Where To Purchase
Online at company site
Taste
Slightly grassy. Slightly Fishy
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
click to enlarge image
click to enlarge image
Pros
Excellent price for a good formulation with an emphasis on spirulina, chlorella, grasses and kelp. No fillers, except that nutritional yeast is used for both nutrition and bulk.
Cons
Not everyone will want the nutritional yeast in this formulation, but if you like this botanical, then this formulation is an excellent value.
Recommended Usage
At least one heaping tablespoon per day, mixed with non-acidic juice.
Certifications & Manufacturing
ORAC SCORE of 7360 per 100 gms.
No certifications
77% organic ingredients
Made in Kosher facility
100% vegan
Price
14.1 oz = $39.95
Price per oz: $2.83
June 21st, 2008
Got Green?
Since the list of green drink products continues to grow with both impressive and disappointing products arriving all the time…I’ve decided to review each and every product individually to present here at Natural Cures (the blog). I’ll be including my impressions of the products’ formulations, pros and cons of each, product labels, manufacturing information, prices and photos.
I intend to review every product on the market. The list is growing every few days, so be sure to return to see the latest additions.
Round-Up Article
Don’t forget to check out my product round-up, where I discuss the best of these products and compare them to each other. The article is: Comparing Green Superfood Products.
Your Suggestions
If you know of a product that is not in any of my articles or lists, please send me the company information or web site address and I’ll check them out. Oh, and if you know something about any of these products, please add your comments to its review by clicking on the headline of the review (the comments box should appear below the article).
June 21st, 2008
An excellent formulation of spirulina, grasses and vegetable powders. Includes a nice selection of “extra botanicals” including bee pollen, ginko biloba, green tea extract, and Astragalus. Contains a slightly high amount of filler/fibrous ingredients, but that’s offset by an excellent price tag. Also has a fruit blend, probiotic cultures and enzymes. The mango powder, cayenne, and ginger are excellent additions. Overall, this is an excellent formulation at a reasonable price.
Manufacturer’s Description
Restorative, concentrated superfood. Supports the four foundations of Health: Nutrition, Digestion, Circulation & Immunity. Designed to rehabilitae the digestive tract, thereby improving nutrient absorption. Delivers a host of trace nutrients. Improves circulation and cardiovascular health in order to deliver those nutrients to every cell of the body. Supports a vigorous and efficient immune system to protect the body from invaders. Supports directly & indirectly the other body systems (musculo-skelatal, neurological, integumentary, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, cardiovascular/circulatory, digestive, reproductive and immune).
Where To Purchase
Health Food Stores
Comes in powder, single-serving packets and capsules.
Taste
Slightly grassy. Slightly Earthy
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
click to enlarge image
Pros
Contains a nice array of nutrient-rich food powders, together with a good selection of “special herbs,” such as Astragalus, green tea extract, bee pollen, vitamin E, milk thistle, ginko biloba, Suma, bladderwrack, rockweed, ginger root and cayenne. Good cost-benefit ratio and a very well thought-out formulation.
Cons
Some of the special herbs in this formulation may be herbs that you purchase separately, and so may be duplicating your purchase with this formulation. Many, however, are well chosen, in that you cannot get too much of them (green tea, pollen, vitamin E, ginger and cayenne for example). Contains Fructo-Oligosaccharides and an unknown fiber, trademarked “FiberAid”
Recommended Usage
Mix in juice or water, one Serving per day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
No organic or kosher certifications. The following ingredients are organic: Spirulina, Alfalfa Grass juice powder, Barley grass juice powder, Oat Grass juice powder, Wheat Grass Juice powder, Alfalfa sprout powder, Kamut grass juice powder, Parsley powder, Beet juice powder, Carrot root powder, Broccoli sprout powder, Spinach powder, Nova Scotia Dulse, Rockweed, Whole Apple powder, Acerola berry juice powder, Ginger root powder, cayenne pepper powder.
100% Gluten free
Company tests every ingredient before manufacturing.
Manufacturing is in-house.
Company lists measurements of all ingredients on label.
Price
12.17oz = $46.95 ($3.86 per ounce)
24.34oz = $78.50 ($3.22 per ounce)
Price per oz: $3.86
June 21st, 2008
The product called Miracle Greens was among the first on the market and is still among the best. Its land veggies include beets, cactus, barley grass, and carrot. It has large doses of herbs, including ginger, horsetail, suma, astragalus, Echinacea, milk thistle and others. It includes a few fruits (berries, cintrus, acerola cherries) and offers green tea, watercress, royal jelly, and aloe vera as special ingredients. It has the usual algaes and contains a lot of fibrous meal, which is a mixture of lecithin, apple pectin and flax seed meal, but overall, it’s among my favorites and costs $4.00 per ounce.
Manufacturer’s Description
Alkaline forming Non-allergenic ingredients, that provides a gentle daily detox and surpasses the nutrition of five servings of organic raw fruits and vegetables. Alkaline forming, non-allergenic ingredients that provide a gentle, daily detox.
Where To Purchase
Available in all Whole Foods Markets and other fine health food stores.
Taste
Slightly sweet. Slightly fruity. Slightly grassy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
click to enlarge image
Pros
Good overall value. Strong in special herbs like green tea, milk thistle and Echinacea (if this is what you want). Includes royal jelly and some fruits. Formula is strong in anti-oxidants for a green drink.
Cons
You may not want or need many of the special herbs in this product (like Echinacea and milk thistle), if you make a practice of purchasing them separately. These raise the price tag of this formulation, whereas more nutrient-rich botanicals, like kelp, could have been used to raise the value without raising the price. Still, if you don’t purchase these special herbs separately, then this formulation may be perfect for you.
Recommended Usage
One serving in the morning or in the mid afternoon is optimal.
Certifications
85% organic ingredients. No organic certifications.
Price
10oz = $39.95 ($4.00 per ounce)
30oz = $89.00 ($2.97 per ounce)
Price per oz: $4.00
June 21st, 2008
In some countries, it is believed that girls who wear training bras during their early hormonal changes end up with smaller breasts than those who wait until their breasts develop before using the bra. Although there is no scientific proof of this theory, there is plenty of experiential evidence.
May 25th, 2008
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