Transcript Diabetes - LSU AgCenter

Phytochemicals
What Does Phytochemical
Mean?
 Phyto
= Plants
 Phytochemical=
Components in
plants that may
provide health
benefits
Concept of Free Radicals The Evil Side of Oxygen
Form of oxygen that can damage our
bodies
 If not neutralized into “good oxygen,”
carry molecular hot potatoes :

 advance
aging
 work against the immune system
 play role in development of chronic and
degenerative diseases
Free Radicals
Are very unstable
 React quickly with other compounds,
doing cell and body damage
 Once produced, they multiply unless
neutralized by antioxidants or other
free-radical scavengers.

What Sets Off Chemical
Reactions That Produce Free
Radicals?
Radiation from sunlight
 Ozone trapped in the atmosphere
 Air pollution
 Tobacco smoke
 Carcinogens
 Asbestos

What Sets Off Chemical
Reactions That Produce Free
Radicals?
Infections
 Physical trauma
 Stress
 Toxic pesticides and herbicides
 Alcohol


Antioxidants prevent or treat
 cancer
 diabetes
 heart disease
 high blood pressure
Health Benefits
 Prevention
of disease shown in
populations having a high
consumption of fruits and vegetables
Major Groups of
Phytochemicals
Indoles
 Thioallyl Derivatives
 Antioxidants (Beta
carotene, Vitamin C and
Vitamin E)
 Phenolic compounds
 Flavonoids

Indoles


Food sources - Broccoli , cabbage and
cauliflower
Health benefit - Cancer prevention and
maintain healthy cells
Thioallyl Derivatives

Food sources:
 Garlic
 Leeks
 Onions
Pungent smell
 Destroyed by heat
(Saute instead of
slow cooking)

Health Benefits of Thioallyl
Derivatives
 Boost
immune system
 Increase enzyme to help get rid
of carcinogens
 Anti-tumor properties
 Reduce serum cholesterol
 Prevent blood clots
Antioxidants
Antioxidant Beta Carotene

Food sources:
 carrots
 sweet
potatoes
 oranges
 cantaloupe
 tomatoes
 dark green leafy vegetables
Health Benefits of the
Antioxidant
Beta Carotene
Cancer prevention
 Regulator of immune responses
 May lower heart disease and stroke
risk

 Food
sources:
 Citrus
fruit
 Tomatoes
 Peppers
 Broccoli
 Melons
 Strawberries
Antioxidant Vitamin C
Health Benefit of Antioxidant
Vitamin C
 Lower
cardiovascular risk
Smokers and Antioxidant
Vitamin C
 Smokers
have a higher
requirement for Vitamin C to
combat the increased oxidative
stress
Antioxidant Vitamin E
 Food
 Oil
sources:
(60%)
 Fruits and veggies, esp. dark
green leafy (10%)
 Grains
 Nuts and Seeds
Health Benefit of Antioxidant
Vitamin E
 Lower
heart disease risk
Caution for Smokers

Some studies showed that
Vitamin E or beta carotene supplements
may be harmful to smokers
Phenolic Compounds
 Food
sources:
 most
fruits and vegetables
 tea (green and black)
Health Benefits
 Anti-tumor
 Anti-cancerous
effect
Flavonoids
 Food
sources:
 soy
 apples
 onions
Health benefits of Flavonoids



Prevent cancer
Prevent bone loss
Antioxidant properties
Educating the Public on
Phytochemicals
More research is needed before
supplement recommendation
 Information provided should be sound
and scientifically based.

Educating the Public on
Phytochemicals,cont.
Should emphasize the importance of
getting nutrients from variety of foods,
not stressing getting certain nutrients
through pills
 Follow Food Guide Pyramid
recommendation

Phytochemicals
Prepared by :
Diane Linder, EdD, LDN,RD, Specialist( EFNEP
Coordinator)
Sara Seals, PhD. Assoc. Specialist
( Nutrition and Health )