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How Phytochemicals Paint Your Picture Of Healthy Living

How Phytochemicals Paint Your Picture Of Healthy Living

What is a phytochemical anyways? In short, phytochemical ingredients are plant-derived compounds, which Julie Daniluk, holistic nutritionist and Co-owner of The Big Carrot Natural Food Market in Toronto, says protect the plants from environmental stresses, including insects, and weather ups and downs. Julie Daniluk says “While phytochemicals are not essential nutrients to human life, it is becoming quite clear that they do infer a great number of health benefits to us as well.”

It is apparent that while phytochemicals offer protection to several chronic diseases, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, they also play a part in chemical warfare in a variety of ways.

Basically, the researcher’s evidence show phytochemicals are able to reduce the oxidative damage to our cells, that cause various diseases like cancer. Foods such as grapes, dark chocolate and carotenoids, sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables are examples of phytochemicals full of antioxidant material which help us to diseases like cancer.

Phytochemicals called allicin, found in garlic, contain antibacterial properties. Many people use garlic for their heart health and to avoid getting colds. Fortunately, those who do not want to have the “garlic breath syndrome”, garlic can be purchased in capsules that do not give off the pungent aroma.

According to Julie Daniluk, various phytochemical have the ability to alter enzyme functioning in a way the helps stave off disease. There is a chemical called indole-3-carbonyl which is found in cabbage, broccoli and kale which stimulates enzymes that reduce the effectiveness of estrogen, thereby reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Daniluk says “Some plant compounds such as isoflavones present in soy, can directly alter how hormones (such as estrogen) behave in the progression of disease.” Isoflavones actually have been found to regulate hormonal action.

Even phytochemicals found in chemicals such as capsaicin, which is found in chili peppers, can interfere in the reproduction of cell DNA to prevent the multiplication of cancer cells.

“The best way to give your diet a phytochemical boost is to load up your grocery cart with more fruits and vegetables”, Daniluk says. She recommends we have at least 10 daily servings of produce will provide us with plenty of these disease fighters. Daniluk recommends that we eat multiple coloured fruits and vegetables, as the different pigment plays host to different chemicals. Think of all the healthy recipes you can create with the abundance of foods in the list below.

According to Daniluk, studies have produced results claiming these 10 phytochemicals are effective in helping us to keep healthy living. Each phytochemical will be named, what it does and where it is to be found.

Beta Carotene
Beta carotene supports reproductive health, boosts our immunity, and helps fights cancer. It is found in carrots, sweet potato, squash, cantaloupe and mango.

Lutein
Lutein helps fight age-related vision loss, and is found in spinach, Brussels sprouts, egg yolk, broccoli, and Swiss chard.

Sulforaphane
Sulforaphane helps reduce cancer risk and inhibits bacterial growth and is found in cauliflower, kale, bok choy, broccoli and broccoli sprouts.

Curcurmin
Curcurmin helps diminish inflammation and the spread of cancer cells; evidence has been found that it may slow the progression of multiple sclerosis. Curcurmin is found in turmeric, curry powder.

Lycopene
Lycopene battles prostate cancer and heart disease, and is found in red bell peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, red grapefruit and apricots.

Resveratrol
Resveratrol helps to destroy cancer cells, fights back viruses and may even give a benefit to exercise performance. Resveratrol is found in grapes, berries, peanuts and red wine.

Quercetin
Quercetin helps fight cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. It is found in capers, onion, apples and citrus fruits.

Anthocyanin
Anthocyanin helps to improve cognitive ability, urinary tract infections and diabetes risk, and is found in berries, eggplant, red cabbage, legumes red and blue grapes.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
This phytochemical fights psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions as well as boosts memory.

Allicin
Allicin lowers cholesterol, and is a strong antibacterial/antiviral agent; it is found in leeks, onions and garlic.

Daniluk says that the most important thing is variety of fruits and vegetables. So very many phytochemicals are just being discovered, which makes it difficult to say which is more important. The idea is to fill your kitchen with whole grains, legumes, spices mentioned and more, herbs and nuts and “stay away” from all the processed food that is obviously phytochemical-deficient.

Remember the organic aisle in the grocery store as these items are pesticide free and usually local. This is an interesting concept; Daniluk says that “If the plant does not have to fight off insects, it reduces the need for its own phytochemical defence system.” This is similar to our antibiotic overuse. If we always use antibiotics, soon the so be it, “bugs” become resistant.

All of the phytochemicals mentioned may be difficult to pronounce, but, you will know where to find them after reading this article.

Since phytochemicals have been in the news, they are available for the public to purchase in a supplement form. Talk to your doctor first before taking any form of supplement. Check your refrigerator and cupboard. See what you use and what you need in the form of phytochemicals in your foods. Eating organic foods containing these phytochemicals paints the best picture of the path to healthy living.

Watch the video related to Healthy Live

www.howdini.com How to start living a healthier lifestyle – Tips for a healthy life We all want to live a healthier lifestyle, but how? Trisha Calvo of Shape Magazine has advice that will keep you moving in the right direction. Keywords: healthy lifestyle tips healthy life how to live a healthy lifestyle

Help answer the question about Healthy Live

How long can a pomeranian dog 3 years old and healthy live for without food?
i was just wondering. No, i am Not planning to starve my dog and do animal cruelty so please don't ask me why i want to know.

About Author

Carole-Anne Stanway has been a creative healthy recipe cook for many years. She loves to learn new living techniques as well. Learn how you too can make, create and bake many healthy recipes for healthy living at .healthyrecipes

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18 comments to How Phytochemicals Paint Your Picture Of Healthy Living

  • molodoychelovek, more like something called laziness, fat consuming slobs. Americans don’t exercise and only consume junks, that’s the problem, not stress.

  • true story angie, true story.

  • It is hard but possible. Buy organic food but beware that if it has been shipped from another country it would probably have been sprayed when it comes in to the country. Go to farmers markets and try growing your own veg too. Goats milk is better for those who are intolerant to cows milk. Animals only drink milk when they are young and then they are weened off of it. We only have one stomach unlike cows which is why we are often unable to digest it properly. Goats have one stomach so this is why it is easier to digest. This obviously applies to goats cheese too. Try baking bread and freezing it. Japan has a very low rate of cancer due to the eating habits of those who live there, this unfortunately will grow with fast food society. Exercise is really important to, a lot of people prefer to forget this important factor but walking, cycling and not using a car all of the time can help.

  • My daughter was 2lbs and 14.5inches long. She is as healthy as can be!!

    Premature babies can be even smaller. There were a few in the hospital I gave birth at that started at 1lb. I'm pretty sure I've read of a baby has survived that was only born at 10oz. It's possible!!

  • Oh yes, I agree. Just take it a step at a time. Make little changes then work up to bigger ones.

  • Exercise helps your heart and blood veins, have you ever had a charlie horse? the main cause of one is poor circulation, a healthy heart beats stronger which gets blood farther through your body, in less beats, your heart is a muscle it gets tired just like anything else. In short healthy heart equals living longer.

  • Anonymous

    If you’re healthier, rested and exercise, life is less stressful. But, I agree that the world is not always a stress-free place. Being healthy helps you deal with it better.

  • Small and toy dogs usually have a longer life span than their large breed cousins.

    The average is around 15 years with some not living quite so long and others surpassing that mark. Good food, and good care are keys to keeping them going.

  • Whatever Americans eat they can not live that long. Because there is something called stress here in US.

  • Congratulations!! A new kitten is so exciting, and good on you for doing some research on what is best for the kitty.
    Stop feeding Purina. Iams, Science Diet and Purina is all but poison to pets. Read "Food Pets Die For" by Ann N. Martin if you don't believe me. It really is shocking.
    Look into Innova EVO. I personally think it is the best food out, a little expensive, but worth it in the long run (less vet bills). The same company also puts out California Natural. Also and excellent food that's not as expensive. Go to naturapet.com for more information.
    Others to look up: Artemis, Wellness, and Felidae. Fantastic foods with websites by those names.
    Please note: Cats are obligatory carnivores. Meaning they don't need ANY plant material in their diets. The new "indoor formulas" with "nutritious plants" is just marketing hype to sell (bad) cat food. Some cats like to eat grass and catnip, but none need it nutritionally.
    Have fun with your new friend.
    Cheers.

    EDIT
    It is absolutely true that they use dead cats and dogs in pet food. Read the book, it mentions it.

  • Back when Reagan was president his surgeon general was C. Everett Koop, Dr. Koop used to travel the country demonizing smoking and to a lesser extent drinking, one day he was on Letterman's show and was taking questions from the audience a person asked the doctor to explain why almost everybody has a story about an old family member that lived a very long life and was never seen without a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other the doctor quickly replied "good genes" so I'll go with the doc. and say genetics.

  • i dont wanna live a long healthy life, its too stressfull to try and do it ahahaha. lololol

  • It's awesome that your focus is on your health, not your looks. I think your chances of success just tripled. My attempts did not work until I focused on my health. It's also nice that you know how to type. ;)

    The staples of a healthy diet:
    Eat veggies – As much as you can everyday, and as much variety as you can afford. They are low-cal, and packed with nutrients that can prevent disease. They also contain fiber, helping you fill up on less calories.

    Eat fruits – Because fruits are typically high in sugar and higher in calories, most recommendations I have seen suggest 2-3 servings a day. Again, aim for variety here to get the most nutrients you can. Fruits are also filled with fiber.

    Eat whole grain breads/pastas/rice – as opposed to white varieties, whole grain breads contain fiber and more nutrients. When producing white bread, they essentially take out everything about wheat that's good for you. Why? For a smoother texture that people like.

    Eat lean protein – this includes chicken (not fried!), tofu (again, not fried), lean cuts of beef, low-fat yogurt and cheese, skim milk, soy milk, nuts (almonds are a healthy choice), eggs, etc. Protein keeps you full for hours.

    WATER

    And treats (any 'junk food' that you love) can be had in moderation. This means reasonable portions, and not having it every single day.

    Try to eat 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day to keep you full (this prevents binges) and keep your metabolism in tip-top shape. Whatever you do, do NOT EVER skip breakfast! Eating a healthy breakfast moderates your hunger all day long.

    As for exercise, the most important thing is consistency. So find something you love to do and do that every day, whether it be Tae Bo, yoga, pilates, dancing, spin classes, running, walking, jump rope…whatever. If you look forward to it, you will do it. Start out with 20 minutes a few times a week and work your way up to at least 30 minutes every day.

    Check out my source site, it has a lot more information on leading a healthy lifestyle. It will not try to sell you something, I promise! But its very, very informative.

  • what i ment was its stressfull to maintain a healthy life, being healthy is just another “to do” which creates anxiety, thats how my mind views it :(

  • China. They don't have environmental laws and with their ever increasing industry, their wreaking havoc in the environment.

    China's electrical grid is almost entirely powered by coal. China's known to not to be particular about what kind of coal, high sulphur, low sulphur, it doesn't matter as long as it's cheap. Seeing as how no one wants to use high sulphur, guess which one China gets cheap and burns?

  • Very seldom. In fact I don't think anything can be transferred directly. U can get Rocky Mountain Spotted fever from a dog tick, but not necessarily because of a dog. U can get hookworms, but only if U R bare footed and step in dog poo, and do not wash your feet.
    So U see, there really is not a danger under ordinary circumstances..

  • its no fucking secret, those people just are not Coke guzzeling ciggarret smoking TV watching internet junkie coutch potatoes like the rest of the world. they are probably the most happiest people in the world.

  • When you’re healthy, you don’t feel so much stress. When you’re rested and healthy, you can deal with all of it better. Plus, if you believe in God, He imparts strength to deal with stress.

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