| The focus in nutritional research is tending to move | | | | breast and other cancers. It also helps to control |
| away from vitamins and minerals to lesser known | | | | obesity by reducing the appetite, inhibiting fat |
| plant compounds. The reason for this shift is that, for | | | | absorption, increasing metabolic rate and opposing fat |
| at least the past 50 years, extensive research has | | | | deposition. |
| failed to show that vitamin supplements help to | | | | 5. PIPERINE is an antioxidant unique to black pepper. |
| prevent degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart | | | | It is especially valuable as it increases the |
| disease, Alzheimer's (and other neurodegenerative | | | | bioavailability of other important phytonutrients. |
| diseases), diabetes and other chronic illnesses. | | | | Piperine boosts the activity of biochemically active |
| In fact contemporary research has demonstrated | | | | compounds contained in green tea, curcumin and a |
| that those who take vitamins on a regular basis are | | | | variety of other spices by up to several hundred |
| at a greater risk for certain cancers and other | | | | percent. By increasing the bioavailability of other |
| diseases! | | | | anti-tumourigenic phytonutrients, black pepper |
| Somewhat paradoxically research that shows | | | | dramatically increases their potency and |
| conclusively that people who eat diets that are rich in | | | | effectiveness against cancer and other diseases. |
| vitamin containing fruit and vegetables are protected | | | | 6. CARNOSIC ACID: is an antioxidant compound |
| against these very same diseases. | | | | found in the common spices, rosemary and sage. It is |
| We are therefore obliged to draw the obvious | | | | attracting a lot of scientific attention because of the |
| conclusion that, if vitamins are not the components | | | | ways in which it protects the brain against |
| of fruit and vegetables that protect against | | | | neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's |
| degenerative diseases, there must be other | | | | disease. |
| compounds in these foods that do so. | | | | Carnosic acid crosses the blood-brain barrier where it |
| This is the primary reason why researchers have | | | | protects the brain against free radical damage. It also |
| been looking for those nutrients, other than vitamins, | | | | boosts the production of glutathione, one of the |
| that are responsible for the benefits of eating a diet | | | | most important antioxidants produced by the brain |
| rich in spices, fruit and vegetables. | | | | itself. |
| Here are 10 of those most researched | | | | Carnosic acid also increases blood flow to the brain. |
| phytonutrients: | | | | Age-related diminished blood flow to the brain is an |
| 1. CURCUMIN: Found primarily in turmeric, this | | | | important contributing factor in the development of |
| important natural antioxidant also occurs in related | | | | Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. |
| spices such as ginger. It is probably the most | | | | 7. PROANTHOCYANIDINS are powerful antioxidants |
| researched of all plant nutrients and it is one of the | | | | that occur in a number of plant foods including some |
| most important natural compounds that we can use | | | | spices. They cross the blood-brain barrier thus |
| in the fight against cancers of the breast, bladder, | | | | protecting the brain against oxidative stress. They |
| stomach, uterus and cervix. | | | | also maintain the elasticity of connective tissue and |
| When measured against other phytonutrients, | | | | strengthen the immune system. |
| curcumin exhibits at least a ten times greater | | | | 8. QUERCETIN is an extremely beneficial antioxidant |
| chemoprotective potency against cancer than its | | | | phytonutrient found in many spices and other foods |
| closest rivals. Curcumin also exhibits outstanding | | | | such as apples. Quercetin has been found to maintain |
| properties as an anti-Alzheimer's agent. | | | | normal cognitive function and protect against |
| 2. SUPHORAPHANE: High concentrations are found in | | | | influenza and other viral infections in individuals who |
| mustard and related brassica plants such as broccoli. | | | | are in a state of oxidative stress. |
| Sulforaphane not only has potent anti-cancer activity | | | | 9. ISOFLAVONES: Genistein and daidzein are the two |
| but also protects against inflammatory conditions of | | | | most important isoflavones and are found primarily in |
| the respiratory tract such as asthma, chronic | | | | soy products. They help protect against several |
| pulmonary disease and sinusitis. It works directly as | | | | cancers, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. |
| an anticancer agent but also stimulates the | | | | 10.PHYTOSTEROLS are antioxidant plant fats. They |
| production of the body's own antioxidant enzymes. | | | | boost the immune system, are very useful in |
| 3. SALICYLATES are a group of phytonutrients to | | | | preventing colds and flu and show promise in the |
| which common aspirin and wintergreen belong. They | | | | treatment of HIV/AIDS and cancer. |
| are found in abundance in most spices, many types | | | | It is interesting to note that most of these nutrients |
| of fruit and some vegetables. These naturally | | | | are found in significant quantities in spices. |
| occurring compounds have strong anti-inflammatory | | | | This research should convince us that we need to |
| and anti-oxidative properties. As inflammation and | | | | move away from taking a daily multivitamin |
| oxidative stress (free radical damage) are at the root | | | | supplement to one containing a wide range of |
| of most degenerative diseases it is not surprising that | | | | bioactive plant compounds. |
| salicylates help prevent Alzheimer's disease, cancer | | | | We should aim to eat a plant-rich diet with and take |
| and heart disease. | | | | a spice supplement - preferably one that does not |
| 4. EPIGALLO-CATECHIN-GALLATE: Unique to green | | | | contain concentrated extracts. |
| tea this phytonutrient protects against cancer of the | | | | |