The next biggest things in natural health, according to Bryce Wylde

Bryce Wylde is a leading complementary alternative medicine and nutrition expert, clinician, television host, educator, author and philanthropist from Canada. He is “a highly knowledgeable and respected natural healthcare practitioner whose specialty is homeopathy, clinical nutrition, supplementation, and botanical medicine and whose focus is routed within functional medicine”, as claims his biography. Wylde is all about promoting longevity, preventing disease and optimising health by focussing on the individual and customising a combination of new, traditional and ancient remedies alongside scientific breakthroughs to develop the best care possible. He is seriously passionate about discovering new possibilities when it comes to the world of wellness and goes to great lengths to do so. As an investigative journalist of the natural health industry he is constantly on the look out for new information and stops at nothing to prove or disprove the validity, efficacy and safety of any new products or methods prior to recommending them. He strives to be a world expert on natural medicine and so reads up on every study published, gets to ground level himself and utilises both his passion and extensive education and connection to the people’s needs to make him their choice in the natural health world. And so when he put forward his predictions for the next big things in natural medicine, we thought it would be worth a look!

Bryce Wylde’s top three…

1. Chaga Mushroom

Many people do not realise the benefits of mushrooms, considering them a fungus – which they are – can often lead to them being dismissed when it comes to health and nutrition. However, the humble mushroom can strengthen our immune systems in ways that other plants can not. We need to eat more of them. In Asia the mushroom is a popular addition to many dishes, particularly shiitake and mattock which studies claim can help to slow the growth of cancer as well as prevent it. The studies showed that triterpenes – compounds found in the mushroom caused tumour cells to   self-destruct. This can occur using other treatments but unlike those the chaga does not seem to harm the healthy cells (more research is being carried out on this as these results were so promising).

The chaga mushroom, found on Birch trees in hardwood forests in the Northern Hemisphere, is also a candidate for fighting cancer and an amazing antioxidant. Currently due to its natural growing habitat it is difficult to harvest without harming the delicate ecological balance and so scientists are attempting to grow it sustainably. Other potential health benefits are that it is a nutrient-dense food source packed with a wide variety of nutrients. Chaga may also help to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, support the immune system, fight inflammation and lower your blood sugar. Research is also being done on how it could help to prevent side effects from heavy drug treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.

2. Lucuma

Native to South America, or more specifically Peru, this beautiful, brightly coloured fruit, shaped like an avocado and also with a large seed, has a sweet flavour and its flesh has a dry texture. How we ingest natural sugars and produce energy is extremely important and, as Bryce claims “for optimal health it has to come in the perfect package – an all natural form, not too much of it, and when we get it we want it with antioxidants and slow release energy providing carbohydrates.” So where on earth can we find such a marvel? Lucuma of course! It has all this and more. The benefits of this wonder fruit are that is can help balance our sugar levels, aid with weight loss and heart health and, as mentioned, the energy yielding effects. Wylde describes the fruit as tasting like a “blend of maple syrup and sweet potato” and as well as this positive note it also contains a huge helping of micro-nutrients. Within these nutrients exists one which inhibits the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, decreasing the absorption of glucose in the intestines. This mechanism is similar to many (synthetically made) anti-diabetic drugs in that it promotes “time released nutrition” and provides, or drip feeds if you like, you with energy all day long. Lucuma is also a fantastic source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, niacin and beta-carotene, as well as minerals such as calcium, phosphorous and high levels of iron, all of which improve energy levels. If you don’t happen to be strolling through the Peruvian foothills, you can find lucuma in powder form, available at most health food stores.

And last but not least…

3. Haskap Berry

Also known as the honeyberry, Wylde describes this berry as a cross between a blueberry, a raspberry and a blackcurrant and  has been used by the Japanese for its properties for eons. It came originally from the island of Hokkaido (north of Japan) and the natives coined it the “fruit of life longevity”.  Although this berry looks similar to a blueberry in colour, it is elongated and slightly cylindrical taking shape more like a mini plum. It is more closely related to a tomato than a blueberry or cranberry and comes from the honeysuckle family. So what are the health benefits? It contains high levels of polyphenols (more than tea, coffee or red wine) which are micronutrients that we get through certain plant-based foods that can help with digestion issues, weight management, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease and cardiovascular diseases. They also contain five times the amount of phenols than blueberries; phenolic acids are readily absorbed through the walls of your intestinal tract, and they may be beneficial to your health because they work as antioxidants that prevent cellular damage due to free-radical oxidation reactions. They may also promote anti-inflammatory conditions in your body when you eat them regularly.

So keep a look out for these three in the health pages and see if they become big news in the world of wellness! Or perhaps get ahead of the trend and give them a try for yourself?