Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of the few plant sources of vitamin D and B12, are high in selenium and have a relatively complete amino acid profile. They are a great addition to almost everyone's diet (except those suffering from fungal infections or candida). They work really well in stews and soups, such as pho, added to salads, in an omelette, as a vegetarian/vegan burger patty or my favorite, shiitake mushrooms in an stir fry. Shiitake, Reishi and Maitake are considered "medicinal mushrooms' but even simple brown mushrooms have most of the health benefits.
I have started prescribing medicinal mushrooms a lot in clinic lately. They have been working wonders on improve immune function for a lot of my patients going through cancer treatment, lyme disease and chronic fatigue. The product I have been using is a combination of Shittake mushrooms and rice extract. The two form a compound know as rice bran arabinoxylan, which acts as a powerful immunomodulator. If you'd like to know more about this product click here.
Turmeric
Ok, so turmeric was a little 2016 but it will continue to be a favorite in 2017. I love it for its anti inflammatory and antioxidant function and liver protective properties. Turmeric extract works wonders for people suffering from psoriasis and other inflammatory mediated conditions including arthritis. Turmeric
works well into smoothies, coconut milk based "golden" lattes, salad dressings and of course, curries. Freshly grated or dried, its good either way. If you want to therapeutic dose, liquid herbal extract or capsules are best.
Seaweed
Move over kale. This delicious green vegetable from the sea is making its comeback. There are many different types of seaweed. Nori, you'll know if you eat sushi, kelp, kombu, wakame and dulse are other types of edible seaweeds. Some seaweeds you'll find in manufactured foods as "thickening agents". These include agar and carrageenan.
Seaweed is packed full of nutrients including calcium, iodine, magnesium, manganese, omega 3 and folate (B9). It's important to note that a little seaweed in your diet can be beneficial but don't go over board. I've been adding crushed nori to poke bowls and making furikake to sprinkle on salads. Use it like a condiment as you would salt, Parmesan cheese or another ume.
Seaweed is the filter of the sea and can hold onto contaminants such as mercury and arsenic. Fortunately today most seaweed is farmed so is relatively safe to consume in small amounts. Seaweed is particularly good for people suffering from iodine deficiency induce low thyroid function, children and pregnancy women as it is rich in iodine.