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Phytonutrients
Healthy, nutritional supplements, low carb and 'raw foods' - these are the
areas in which we will bring you information and sources.
The ancients knew it. Hippocrates, the father of medicine said "Give
Me The Right Food And I Will Cure Any Disease!".
Mother and grandmother know it when they say "Eat Your Vegetables,
They're Good For You!" The FDA, NCI and NIH know it when they tell us to eat at least five servings of vegetables and
fruit each day! What is it about pants that's good for us?
PHYTONUTRIENTS
Phyto comes from the Greek word for Plant. Thus, Phytonutrients are
nutritional substances found in plants that provide health benefits. There are literally thousands of them and we will provide a simple presentation of their names and properties. Some of the
common major classes of phytonutrients are:
ISOTHIOCYANATES
AND INDOLES -Thiols are sulfur containing phytochemicals.
They are present in garlic, onions and members of the Cruciferae family which include broccoli, radish, cabbage, caulifower, turnip, horseradish, watercress, mustard and others such vegetables.
POLYPHENOLS
- For now we'll stay with the polyphenol called lignan. In addition to flax, semame, rye, oat, broccoli and other plants contain lignan a phytonutrients. They seem to possess many health properties
including those that fight high cholesterol, atheroscreloris, PMS, diabetes and cancer. Flax has much more lignan, about
100X more than the common grains that we eat as a source of bulk.
CAROTENOIDS - There are several hundred phytochemicals in this subclass. They are found
in red, orange and yellow pigmented fruits and vegetables such as carrots, green vegetables, oranges, tomatoes,
broccoli, spinach and many others.
FLAVONOIDS - This group includes that Polyphenols and Isoflavones, which
includes the important Phytoestrogens. Polyphenols come as flavonoids and non-flavonoids. The non-flavonoids are allagic
acid and coumarins and are found in stawberries, blueberries and rasberries, among others. The flavonoids include anthocyanins,
catechins, flavones, flavonols and isoflavones and are found in fruit and vegetables, tea, wine,
citrus, soybeans and legumes.
Isoflavones
- An important member of this family of phytonutrients is the phyto-estrogens. Phyto-estrogens
are defined as naturally occurring plant chemical components that are structurally and functionally similar to beta estradiol or
produce estrogen-like effects. The most active phyto-estrogens are genestein and daidzein. Genestein seems to provide
protection against breast, uterine and prostate cancer and atherosclerotic disease. The best sources for phyto-estrogens
are clover, soy beans and legumes.
(Eventually
there will more information and source links to all items indicated in color)
For more information or to order
ImmunoQuest Laboratories, Inc.
724 York Rd. Towson, MD 21204
410-823-6663
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