What are Greens?

by Don Laubenthal M.S., CSCS
Professor – Exercise Science

Health is defined as the state of being free from illness or injury, and we can all agree that good health is something we all want to maintain. Despite this, very few people believe they can take steps toward improving their health. As a matter of fact, many people believe good health begins and ends with their doctor or with some type of pharmaceutical. Although we do need doctors and medicine at times, there is a way to improve your health without a doctor or a pharmaceutical. It is called proper diet and exercise. Many years ago, the American College of Sports Medicine coined the term, “Exercise is Medicine,” because of all the positive health benefits that come from making your body stronger. It is also believed that many health problems can be traced back to poor diet. It makes sense, exercise and a healthy diet strengthen the body, and a stronger body fights off illness and injury much better than a weak body. For the majority of people, the most difficult of the two, diet and exercise, is the diet. Even those of us who train hard struggle to eat healthy due to busy schedules, convenience of good tasting food that is not good for you, and the expense of healthy food. It sure would be nice if there was a food source we could consume that would be the equivalent of several helpings of vegetables in a small quantity. Let me introduce you to Max Effort Muscle Green’s. A single scoop can provide a large dose of concentrated vegetable nutrients that can help improve your health.

What Makes Greens So Good?

Greens contain what many refer to as superfoods, which are powerful plant nutrients that can provide many health benefits. To get a better understanding of the benefits of Greens, we need to take a deeper look at the diet related health issues that plague many people. A poor diet can lead to chronic inflammation, which is known to contribute to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoarthritis. Most of us are aware of inflammation that occurs when we get injured, experience delayed onset muscle soreness after a hard training session or get sick with an infection. This is acute inflammation, and it is a positive form of inflammation and quite necessary for healing and muscular adaptation (in the case of training related inflammation). Acute inflammation occurs when the body responds to injury or infection by rushing blood and white blood cells to damaged or infected areas of the body so the healing and rebuilding process can begin. Without acute inflammation, healing and muscular adaptation to resistance training would be nearly impossible. This type of inflammation does not last long and has positive benefits.

Chronic inflammation is unhealthy inflammation that often results from poor diet and a lack of physical activity. High sugar foods and unhealthy fats can cause chronic inflammation which is very detrimental to our body. Also, toxins that we inhale or consume will also contribute to chronic inflammation. Over time, the chemicals released by white blood cells that accumulate due to the inflammation can result in an autoimmune response that damages the tissues of the body. The damage from chronic inflammation can affect joints, arteries, organs, cells, and the immune system.

Anti-inflammatory nutrients work by blocking the inflammatory pathways that lead to the cascade effect of inflammation, pain, increased temperature (local or fever), swelling, and, if chronic, damage to tissues.

The scariest part of chronic inflammation is that it can happen with symptoms that are so subtle that we do not even know it is occurring. So many health problems in America can be traced back to chronic inflammation and, usually a poor diet. I emphasize this because Max Effort Muscle’s Greens can add the super food nutrients to help us battle chronic inflammation. Let’s look at the ingredients in Max Effort Muscle’s Greens and see just how they function in the body. Keep in mind that a single scoop (only 14 calories) is loaded with a concentrated serving of these powerful ingredients.

Anti – Inflammatory and Antioxidant

The following ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but also have additional health benefits which are listed.

Organic Spirulina Powder

Also thought to be a pain reducer and have brain protective properties.

Organic Barley Grass

Also thought to protect against colon and breast cancer.

Organic Chlorella Powder

Also thought to improve cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

Organic Parsley Leaf

Improves bone health.

Organic Broccoli Powder

Thought to protect against cancer.

Organic Beet Root Powder

Produces Nitric Oxide in the body and protects cells from damage, improves circulation, and reduces blood pressure.

Organic Kale Powder

Very powerful antioxidant

Organic Alfalfa Powder

May also assist in reducing cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels.

Organic Milk Thistle Extract

Thought to be a great liver detoxifier.
Lowers cholesterol.
Immune system booster.

Citrus Bioflavonoids

Thought to improve heart and skin health and play a role in cancer prevention.

Burdock Root

Contains very powerful antioxidants.
Removes toxins from blood.
Thought to prevent or inhibit cancer.

Green Tea Extract

Plays an important role in weight loss.
Helps prevent diabetes.
Reduces the risk of heart disease.
Reduces the risk of cancer.

China Match Leaf Tea

Aids in cell repair.
Helps maintain healthy arteries.

Organic Spinach Powder

Delay’s fat digestion which helps control appetite.
Aids in weight loss and weight maintenance.

Organic Wheat Grass Powder

Helps detoxify the liver.

Although it is still very important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, by adding one or two scoops of great tasting Max Effort Muscle Greens each day, you will significantly improve your diet, improve your energy, boost your immune system, and make improvements to your overall health. You will feel the difference!