1 / 28

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals. What Does Phytochemical Mean ? . Phyto = Plants Phytochemical= Components in plants that may provide health benefits. Concept of Free Radicals - The Evil Side of Oxygen. Form of oxygen that can damage our bodies

adamdaniel
Download Presentation

Phytochemicals

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Phytochemicals

  2. What DoesPhytochemical Mean? • Phyto = Plants • Phytochemical= Components in plants that may provide health benefits

  3. Concept of Free Radicals - The Evil Side of Oxygen • Form of oxygen that can damage our bodies • If not neutralized into “good oxygen,” carry molecular hot potatoes : • advance aging • work against the immune system • play role in development of chronic and degenerative diseases

  4. Free Radicals • Are very unstable • React quickly with other compounds, doing cell and body damage • Once produced, they multiply unless neutralized by antioxidants or other free-radical scavengers.

  5. What Sets Off Chemical Reactions That Produce Free Radicals? • Radiation from sunlight • Ozone trapped in the atmosphere • Air pollution • Tobacco smoke • Carcinogens • Asbestos

  6. What Sets Off Chemical Reactions That Produce Free Radicals? • Infections • Physical trauma • Stress • Toxic pesticides and herbicides • Alcohol

  7. Antioxidants prevent or treat • cancer • diabetes • heart disease • high blood pressure

  8. Health Benefits • Prevention of disease shown in populations having a high consumption of fruits and vegetables

  9. Major Groups of Phytochemicals • Indoles • Thioallyl Derivatives • Antioxidants (Beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E) • Phenolic compounds • Flavonoids

  10. Indoles • Food sources - Broccoli , cabbage and cauliflower • Health benefit - Cancer prevention and maintain healthy cells

  11. Thioallyl Derivatives • Food sources: • Garlic • Leeks • Onions • Pungent smell • Destroyed by heat (Saute instead of slow cooking)

  12. Health Benefits of Thioallyl Derivatives • Boost immune system • Increase enzyme to help get rid of carcinogens • Anti-tumor properties • Reduce serum cholesterol • Prevent blood clots

  13. Antioxidants • Beta carotene • Vitamin C • Vitamin E

  14. Antioxidant - Beta Carotene • Food sources: • carrots • sweet potatoes • oranges • cantaloupe • tomatoes • dark green leafy vegetables

  15. Health Benefits of the Antioxidant Beta Carotene • Cancer prevention • Regulator of immune responses • May lower heart disease and stroke risk

  16. Antioxidant Vitamin C • Food sources: • Citrus fruit • Tomatoes • Peppers • Broccoli • Melons • Strawberries

  17. Health Benefit of Antioxidant Vitamin C • Lower cardiovascular risk

  18. Smokers and Antioxidant Vitamin C • Smokers have a higher requirement for Vitamin C to combat the increased oxidative stress

  19. Antioxidant Vitamin E • Food sources: • Oil (60%) • Fruits and veggies, esp. dark green leafy (10%) • Grains • Nuts and Seeds

  20. Health Benefit of Antioxidant Vitamin E • Lower heart disease risk

  21. Caution for Smokers • Some studies showed that Vitamin E or beta carotene supplements may be harmful to smokers

  22. Phenolic Compounds • Food sources: • most fruits and vegetables • tea (green and black)

  23. Health Benefits • Anti-tumor • Anti-cancerous effect

  24. Flavonoids • Food sources: • soy • apples • onions

  25. Health benefits of Flavonoids • Prevent cancer • Prevent bone loss • Antioxidant properties

  26. Educating the Public on Phytochemicals • More research is needed before supplement recommendation • Information provided should be sound and scientifically based.

  27. Educating the Public on Phytochemicals,cont. • Should emphasize the importance of getting nutrients from variety of foods, not stressing getting certain nutrients through pills • Follow Food Guide Pyramid recommendation

  28. Phytochemicals Prepared by : Diane Linder, EdD, LDN,RD, Specialist( EFNEP Coordinator) Sara Seals, PhD. Assoc. Specialist ( Nutrition and Health )

More Related