What Are Phytos?
If you are a reader of nutrition articles, you have probably come across the words phytonutrients and phytochemicals. These terms are becoming frequently used as plant-based chemicals and nutrients are receiving more and more attention as essential for reducing risk of chronic, degenerative disease.
Phyto is Greek for plant - therefore these are plant nutrients and plant chemicals. They are mainly antioxidants and every month scientists are discovering more of these health-protective constituents in plant foods. Researchers estimate that 30,000 to 50,000 exist in nature.
What Do They Do?
A large portion of phytos function in an antioxidant capacity. They also are responsible for the colors of fruits and vegetables. In addition, phytos make up the flavors of these foods.
These unique plant substances help the body fight diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Phytochemicals have names like beta-carotene, lycopene, flavenoids, polyphenols, isoflavones, and sulforaphane. These and thousands of other phytos strengthen the body’s immune system.
Some eliminate free radicals that harm our cells and tissues. These molecules are able to damage DNA, the genetic material of the cell and this sometimes results in mutation that can become malignant. Phytonutrients can aid the body in getting rid of harmful substance from the environment and our diet as well as work to kill and eliminate cancer cells.
Eat to Protect
These plant substances also seem to boost each other’s effectiveness. So it’s important to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and grains to get as many different kinds of phytochemicals as possible. New research is continually uncovering more functions for these important components as well as strengthening the evidence of their protective benefits against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other diseases that are increasing in our nation.
The cancer societies, U.S. Dietary Guidelines, and the Center for Disease Control now recommend that we fill two-thirds of our plate with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to get the plant-based nutrients and fiber we need for maintaining optimal health. They advise average adults to include 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables in their daily diet and state that children need the protection afforded by 5 to 8 servings each day. A fruit and vegetable concentrate can help make up for what we are not able to get in our diet.
