ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH PHYTONUTRIENTS?
What the Latest Science Reveals
By John Malanca
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You might
have heard of “phytonutrients” and how good they are for overall health. But
what exactly are phytonutrients
and why are they absolutely vital
for preventing disease and maintaining vital health in this modern world?
Why We Need Phytonutrients Today
Phytonutrients
give plants their color as well as their distinct taste and smell. They can
also be thought of as part of the plant’s “immune system;” they help protect
the plant from predators like bugs and fungi.
Fortunately, phytonutrients in plants are designed to help humans
too. As antioxidants, they protect us from oxidative damage
caused by environmental pollutants in our air, water, and food, as well as stressful
lifestyle choices. Across the board, experts agree that the best way to get
sufficient antioxidants is through consuming them in whole foods, as opposed to
getting them in synthetic supplement form.
According to
a 2014 analysis published in the Journal of
Complimentary and Integrative Medicine:
Phytonutrients
are the plant nutrients with specific biological activities that support human
health…They [have] specific pharmacological effects in human health such as
anti-microbial, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anti-spasmodic,
anti-cancer, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective,
hypotensive, diabetes, osteoporosis, CNS stimulant, analgesic, protection from
UVB-induced carcinogenesis, immuno-modulator, and carminative.
There is no
doubt that more toxins in our air, food, and water as well as massive global
soil depletion has left our bodies starving for natural substances that can
help us detoxify and heal. A meta-analysis conducted by the University of Texas
studied 43 common vegetables and fruits grown in the U.S. between 1950 and
1999. They discovered “reliable declines” in nutrients of all kinds in
everything from corn to carrots. According to some nutritional experts, it now
takes over 25 cups of today’s spinach to equal the nutrient density of one cup
from 1950.
To get the
most nutrient-dense produce for your dinner table, always make sure that the
fruits and vegetables you buy are organic and non-GMO. If you have a farmer’s
market in your region, consider making a visit. Talk to the farm representative
and ask about their growing practices before you buy. And whenever possible, go
for heirloom varieties of produce such as carrots, corn, and squash; studies
have shown that the nutrient density of locally-produced heirloom varieties are
significantly higher than more typical types, even if they are organic.
The Many Faces of Phytonutrients
Believe it or
not, conventional medicine does not
consider phytonutrients as essential for human health – even
though there are over 13,000 studies registered with the National Institutes of
Health having to do with their benefits for health (including 2,500 cancer
studies!). In addition, approximately 40% of the conventional medicines
currently in use are based on plant substances.
YOU don’t
have to be fooled by the backwards thinking of the allopathic medical model,
however. Phytonutrients are vital
for health overall, and may even prevent and heal specific conditions. Below is
a listing of the most common types, where they can be found, and what their
benefits can be for health.
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