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Phytonutrients
Phytonutrients or phytochemicals give plants their colors, smells, and flavors.
Phytonutrients can be found in vegetables, fruits, teas, grains and seeds. Generally fruits and vegetables that have bright colors, strong flavors and smells have the most phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients differ from vitamins because phytonutrients are not technically "nutrients". Nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Without nutrients your body will soon die of a nutritional deficiency. If you do not have phytonutrients in your diet you will not die of a nutritional deficiency. There are a sizable amount of chronic disorders
that you have a much better chance of dying from or at least suffering from.
There is no question phytonutrients are important organic compounds your body needs. They nourish your cells and are powerful antitoxins that help your body use nutrients.
They may someday be the most important group of organic compounds used to treat and prevent disease. Researchers are studying how these compounds may protect cells from damage, enhance the function of the immune system, and reduce the risk of a considerable quantity of chronic ailments, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
There is still much research to be done.
Different phytonutrients work in different ways and the same phytonutrient can work in different ways on different people.
There are several thousand compounds that plants make
other than carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals,
that may have beneficial effects on the body. Only a few hundred have been researched,
and begun to be understood.
The easiest and best way to get your phytonutrients in the proportion that nature intends is
to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, soy and nuts. Don't forget the green and black teas, they will stain your teeth but you will
be giving your body a dose of flavonoids.
Your body will thank you.
Phytonutrients are classified by their chemical structure.
Their classification is vast and growing, it can be a mind boggling.
To make things simple here is a short list of
some of the common classes:
Carotenoids
Flavonoids
Isoflavones
Inositol Phosphates
Phytoestrogens
Isothiocyanates
Phenols
Saponins
Sulfides
Terpenes
By Harvey Robinson
Webmaster of
Years to Your Health
More information.
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/antioxidantsprevention
Tea and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/tea-and-cancer-prevention
Red Wine and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/red-wine-and-cancer-prevention
Garlic and Cancer Prevention: Questions and Answers
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/garlic-and-cancer-prevention
Foods That Fight Cancer
http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dc_foods_home
Bluebonnet Supplements
at
Years to Your Health
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