Supplements May Deprive Your Body of Vital Chemicals

Vitamin and mineral supplements taken instead of fruit and vegetables, may actually be depriving your body of some major health benefits.

Phytochemicals are used by plants to protect themselves against bacteria, viruses and fungal invasions. Recent research has shown that these naturally occurring chemicals, while not of benefit nutritionally to the human body, can help to slow down the aging process and cut down the incidence of cancer, heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

More than 1000 plant phytochemicals have already been identified and these seem to be related to plant colours. The deeper the colour, the more phytochemicals. Five or more servings of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables per day will allow you to take advantage of this new discovery.

Vitamin and mineral supplements don’t add any of these amazing protective chemicals to the diet. Phytochemicals don’t work in the same way outside the cells of the plant, so they will never be available as supplements. You need to eat the real thing in order to benefit.

Seven main groups of phytochemicals have been identified.

Carotenoids:

These are found in red, green, yellow and orange fruit and vegetables, like tomatoes, water melon, carrots, spinach, etc. These seem to slow down the aging process and improve lung function. (Good for asthmatics.)

Flavonoids

These are found in oranges, grapefruit, red wine, onions, apples and green tea, etc. They help to deactivate and neutralize free radicals that may cause damage to cells within the body, reducing the effects of aging, cancer, etc.

Phenolic Compounds

These are present in prunes, grapes, currants and tomatoes (among others) and they may reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Sulphoraphane

This is found mostly in cauliflower, kale, turnips, broccoli and brussel sprouts and is thought to have the ability to reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

Allium

These compounds are found in garlic onions, chive, and leeks and they are thought to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Indoles

The source of these is similar to that of the sulphoraphane group. Indoles are thought to protect against cancers, including breast cancer.

Limonene

Limonene is found in the rinds and white membrane layer of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits. It can help to protect the lungs and cut down the risk of some cancers.

Research continues and scientists expect to isolate and identify other groups of phytochemicals to add to the ever growing list. This is an exciting new area of medical research that will have benefits for all of us. Fortunately we can all take advantage ahead of the research, by adding fruit and vegetables in as many different colours as posible to our daily diets.