Phytonutrients – are phytochemicals or compounds that come from edible plants.
Phytonutrients (Phytochemicals) are plant or fruit derived chemical compounds. The neutrality and factual accuracy of this article are disputed. There is abundant evidence from epidemiological studies that the phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of cancer, probably due to polyphenol antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Phytonutrients have been used as drugs for millennia. For example, Hippocrates in 400 BC used to prescribe willow tree leaves to abate fever. Salicin, with potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, was originally extracted from the White Willow Tree and later synthetically produced to become the staple over the counter drug called Aspirin. The number one drug for cancer worldwide Taxol (paclitaxel), is a phytochemical initially extracted and purified from the Pacific Yew Tree. Among edible plants with health promoting phytochemicals, Diindolylmethane, from Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts) is currently used as a treatment for Recurring Respiratory Papillomatosis tumors (caused by the Human Papilloma Virus), it is in Phase III clinical trials for Cervical Dysplasia (a pre-cancerous condition caused by the Human Papilloma Virus) and is in clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of the United States for a variety of cancers (breast, prostate, lung, colon, and cervical). The compound has potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties through a variety of pathways and it has also been shown to synergize with Taxol in its anti-cancer properties, making it potentially a very important anti-cancer phytonutrient as Taxol resistance is a major problem for cancer patients worldwide. Sometimes some of the compounds in plants with potent medicinal properties may not necessarily be chemicals, but may be elements, such as selenium found abundantly in Brassica vegetables with potent anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. In human clinical trials, selenium supplementation has been shown to reduce the HIV viral load and is currently being recommended worldwide by physicians as an adjuvant nutritional supplement to AIDS treatments. It has also been shown to reduce mortality among prostate cancer patients. There are currently many other phytonutrients with potent medicinal properties that are in clinical trials for a variety of diseases. Lycopene, for example, from tomatoes is in clinical trials for cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer. Human clinical trials have demonstrated that lycopene helps to improve blood flow through the heart and clinical studies suggest anti-cancer activity against prostate cancer. Lutein and zeaxanthin from spinach have been shown through clinical trials to directly improve human visual performance and help prevent the onset of macular degeneration and cataracts. In a landmark nutritional sciences study, scientists demonstrated that a diet rich in tomatoes and broccoli was more effective in inhibiting prostate cancer growth than a leading drug for prostate cancer. Clinical investigations are on-going worldwide on thousands of phytochemicals with medicinal properties. Food processing and phytochemicals Many phytochemicals are thought to be destroyed or removed by modern food processing techniques, possibly including cooking. For this reason, it is believed that industrially processed foods are less beneficial (contain fewer phytochemicals) than unprocessed foods. The absence or deficiency of phytochemicals is believed to have contributed to the increased prevalence of the above-cited preventable or treatable causes of death in contemporary society. Interestingly though, lycopene, which is a phytonutrient that can be found in tomatoes, is concentrated in processed foods such as spaghetti sauce and ketchup, making those foods much better sources of lycopene than fresh tomatoes. However, this claim needs to be proved. Rich in phytonutrients, glyconutrients and xanthones, Vemma™ is quite possibly the most complete liquid multivitamin, mineral and antioxidant program available. This revolutionary program is uncompromised in its nutritional benefits for you and your family. There may be other products on the market that contain a fraction of Vemma’s™ extensive ingredient list, but you’ll find nothing as comprehensive. Nutritionally speaking, Vemma™ is the real deal!
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