Phytonutrients protect plant life from various environmental challenges such as UV sun rays, toxic chemicals, high heat and general poisons or pollutants in the air or soil. Also known as phytochemicals, they are nature’s natural defense and help to form part of the plants immune system. Unfortunately, our human body doesn’t naturally produce these phytonutrients leaving our cells unprotected from certain toxins, pollutants and other environmental stressors. Exposure to these toxins creates the potential for what are known as free radicals in our cell systems. Scientific research has concluded that consuming plant phytonutrients can provide the human body with some of the same free radical protection that is given to plant life. So, what exactly are "free radicals" and how do phytonutrients protect us?
Think back to your first chemistry class: atoms, electrons, protons and all that fun stuff. You may recall that an atom will either gain or lose electrons to create molecular balance and in some cases, will even share electrons to do this, bonding with other atoms. Under normal circumstances, once these bonds are formed, they don't split, as it would leave a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But exposure to toxic chemicals, UV light and various other environmental and chemical pollutants can stress these sensitive bonds, sometimes causing them to split apart, creating what are known as "free radicals".
It is considered a "free radical" because it quickly reacts with other nearby atoms starting a search to re-capture its much needed stabilizing electron. When this process begins, each atom attacks the nearest stable molecular neighbor, essentially "stealing" electrons along the way. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it also becomes a free radical, and thus a chain reaction is born. Once this process is started, it progresses, ultimately resulting in damage of cell membranes.
Radical (noun):
1-Something or someone which advocates revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radicals seeking to overthrow the social order.
With this definition in mind, imagine a “radical” atom inside your body overthrowing the social order of all your cells.
Scientific investigation of phytonutrients is a very exciting area of nutrition research today, as we are now obtaining science-based explanations as to how plant food supports and protects our overall wellness. Foods such as cabbage, kale, bok choy, apples, garlic, citrus fruits, berries plus so many more help to protect us from free-radical damage, and provide a multitude of additional health benefits.
Here is an interesting article about phytonutrients, in particularly the flavonoids found in apples and how they can protect and fight against breast cancer.
http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/04/apples-versus-breast-cancer/
And another general article about the power of phytonutrients quoting that “medicine is in your vegetable garden”
http://www.aolhealth.com/medical-myths/phytonutrients-prevention-in-a-plant
==================================================================
Jennifer is currently studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and can be contacted for Health Counseling Services via her website http://www.medicinalnutrition.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment