If you’re not familiar with superfoods, you should know that they’re called “nutritional superheroes” due to their exceptional nutrient density! The topic of superfoods has been covered in our IV therapy Toronto Lounge and functional medicine clinic, where we tailor treatments with the integrative functional medicine model. 

So, what exactly are superfoods? These contain high amounts of nutrients, including major minerals, vitamins, omega fatty acids, “good” bacteria, and amino acids. These food items “… are able to increase vitality of the human body and can be a good choice for improving the overall health by strengthening the immune system,” confirms an article from the Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science journal. 

They’ve been particularly praised for their antioxidant properties. This is because vitamin A, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, zinc, coenzyme Q10, uric acid, polyphenols, and other antioxidant key components have been discovered in superfoods. 

As chronic health conditions increase worldwide, scientists are attempting to discover strategies for improving the quality of lives – which is why many patients choose these foods to help with optimal functioning. For this blog post, we highlight some of these items to add to your meals for supporting beneficial effects to your health. 

Key superfoods for promoting optimal health

When part of a balanced diet, along with the practice of other healthy lifestyle factors (i.e. exercise), superfoods could potentially promote positive effects; some examples include improvements to immune function, hormonal health, mood, and overall well-being. They range from fruits and vegetables to fish, herbs and dairy-based products. Below, we feature a table of some superfoods you can consider adding to your meals at home: 

Superfood	Brief Profile
Acerola	This is a type of cherry that is laden with ascorbic acid, carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonoids. It’s known to help improve heart health and blood pressure regulation. Other studies have suggested it could potentially prevent some cancers, as these berries contain key ingredients linked to low inflammation and antioxidant effects.
Quinoa	Quinoa is gluten-free and nutrient dense with iron, magnesium and zinc. It also contains protein and fibre, which can help promote healthy digestion and help promote the feeling of satiety for weight-related health goals.
Leafy greens	An article from the American Academy of Neurology, states that “…approximately 1 serving per day of green leafy vegetables and foods rich in phylloquinone, lutein, nitrate, folate, α-tocopherol, and kaempferol may help to slow cognitive decline with aging.”
Arctic char	This fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown to help reduce inflammation. It also contains vitamin A and vitamin D. Note: unlike cold-water fatty fish (i.e. salmon), miniscule amounts of mercury are found in sea-run Arctic char; these levels are below the amounts permitted by commercial standards. Char fish that rarely travel to the ocean, including those situated in small lakes, may hold excessive mercury levels.
Sacha inchi oil	This plant is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory components. Sacha inchi is native to the Amazon rainforest; its seeds contain 24-29% protein. Sachi inchi oils contain vitamins A and E, as well as omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have shown to help lower the risks for cardiovascular disease.
Kefir	As a fermented liquid drink, kefir is rich in gut-healthy probiotics. Studies have linked kefir to various health benefits, such as managing digestive health and improved metabolism; it may also help strengthen immune health.
Matcha tea	Matcha is a pulverized version of green tea leaves with high concentrations of a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful antioxidant. Scientists postulate that matcha tea’s combination of catechins and caffeine could promote weight loss effects. It may also have beneficial effects on both heart health and metabolism.

Supporting your nutrition with oral supplements and adjunct intravenous therapy

Superfoods contain various health benefits. But for some people, keeping up with nutritional needs through diet can be difficult due to busy schedules. To sustain your wellness, we recommend supplementation in addition to eating superfoods and balanced meals. This helps assure you’re receiving your dietary intake of essential nutrients – think of supplements as “insurance” for your daily functioning! Supplementation is also useful for helping alleviate nutrient deficiencies, boosting much-needed energy, and promoting muscle recovery and function. In our last blog post, we gave some helpful advice on the role of functional medicine on nutrition and hydration.

Please speak to our health providers about customizing your treatment service with additional nutrients. Oral supplementation can be taken with your meals (depending on your unique health needs and bottle instructions). If you’re unsure that you’re getting a complete absorption of nutrients through oral supplements and diet, you can also “top up” your intake with an IV therapy treatment; this would be administered along with your regular oral supplementation. 

Intravenous therapy does not require digestion, as a nutritional formula bypasses the digestive tract. An IV tube is directed into your vein, allowing for the formula to enter your blood stream for immediate use. When administered with a healthy diet and exercise, as well as additional treatment modalities, IV drip therapy could help with reaching your health goals. Contact us for more information about our IV Lounge and functional medicine therapies. 

Fostering wellness in our IV Lounge

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC), we offer integrated treatment modalities for custom health needs. Tailored health plans can be adapted for various health conditions, including those linked to cognitive function, cellular damage, skin health (collagen production), food sensitivities, menopausal symptoms, and autoimmune conditions. 

Adjunctive vitamin IV therapy is offered for supportive measures, and may foster optimal function when merged with lifestyle modifications and other therapies. In our IV Lounge, we can administer adjuvant intravenous infusion drips when they’re added to your personalized treatment plan. Each IV drip is freshly compounded with natural ingredients and no added preservatives; sessions are monitored by our team, which includes a naturopath, medical doctor, registered nurses and nurse practitioner. 

IV nutrient therapy can promote optimal hydration, encourage healthy blood cell formation, and foster detoxification processes. Our drip menu contains a wide range of nutrients to assist the different needs of patients; IV therapy drips may be tailored with glutamic acid and a medley of amino acids, major antioxidants, a customized dose of glutathione, vitamin C, folic acid, major minerals, and other concentrations of nutrients. 

Keep in mind, the TFMC adheres to the integrative functional medicine model. Doses of nutrients for intravenous drips, booster shots, treatments for hormonal balances, some oral supplements and other treatment modalities (i.e. conventional medicine, naturopathy, acupuncture, etc.) are advised for your biological needs only. 

Get custom health advice with our integrated approach to wellness! Our IV therapy Toronto Lounge offers adjunctive IV drips to help support athletic performance, cellular health, brain function, and energy production. Request your first visit with us by clicking here. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Araújo‐Dairiki, Thyssia Bomfim et al. “Seeds of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis, Euphorbiaceae) as a feed ingredient for juvenile tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, and matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus (Characidae).” Acta Amazonica 48 (2018): 32-37.

“Arctic char in a rapidly changing North” modified August 20, 2023, viewed on December 31, 2023. Government of Canada, from the Polar Knowledge: Aqhaliat Report.

Bourrie BC, Willing BP, Cotter PD. The Microbiota and Health Promoting Characteristics of the Fermented Beverage Kefir. Front Microbiol. 2016 May 4;7:647. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00647. PMID: 27199969; PMCID: PMC4854945.

Eng QY, Thanikachalam PV, Ramamurthy S. Molecular understanding of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Jan 10;210:296-310. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.035. Epub 2017 Aug 31. PMID: 28864169.

Fernández-Ríos, A., Laso, J., Hoehn, D., Amo-Setién, F. J., Abajas-Bustillo, R., Ortego, C., Fullana-i-Palmer, P., Bala, A., Batlle-Bayer, L., Balcells, M., Puig, R., Aldaco, R., & Margallo, M. (2022). A critical review of superfoods from a holistic nutritional and environmental approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 379, 134491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134491

Jimenez-Lopez C, Carpena M, Lourenço-Lopes C, Gallardo-Gomez M, Lorenzo JM, Barba FJ, Prieto MA, Simal-Gandara J. Bioactive Compounds and Quality of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Foods. 2020 Jul 28;9(8):1014. doi: 10.3390/foods9081014. PMID: 32731481; PMCID: PMC7466243.

Morris MC, Wang Y, Barnes LL, Bennett DA, Dawson-Hughes B, Booth SL. Nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables and cognitive decline: Prospective study. Neurology. 2018 Jan 16;90(3):e214-e222. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004815. Epub 2017 Dec 20. PMID: 29263222; PMCID: PMC5772164.

Prakash A, Baskaran R. Acerola, an untapped functional superfruit: a review on latest frontiers. J Food Sci Technol. 2018 Sep;55(9):3373-3384. doi: 10.1007/s13197-018-3309-5. Epub 2018 Jul 11. PMID: 30150795; PMCID: PMC6098779.

Pourshahidi LK, Caballero E, Osses A, Hyland BW, Ternan NG, Gill CIR. Modest improvement in CVD risk markers in older adults following quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) consumption: a randomized-controlled crossover study with a novel food product. Eur J Nutr. 2020 Oct;59(7):3313-3323. doi: 10.1007/s00394-019-02169-0. Epub 2020 Jan 9. PMID: 31919583.

Proestos C. Superfoods: Recent Data on their Role in the Prevention of Diseases. Curr Res Nutr Food Sci 2018;6(3). doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.6.3.02

Seidita A, Soresi M, Giannitrapani L, Di Stefano V, Citarrella R, Mirarchi L, Cusimano A, Augello G, Carroccio A, Iovanna JL, Cervello M. The clinical impact of an extra virgin olive oil enriched mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome: Lights and shadows of a nutraceutical approach. Front Nutr. 2022 Aug 4;9:980429. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.980429. PMID: 35990331; PMCID: PMC9386289.

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“What are superfoods and why should you eat them?” From Medical News Today, medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C, by Megan Ware, RDN, L.D. on January 7, 2019, viewed on November 11, 2023.