| Folk wisdom has always singled out fruits and | | | | particularly in the breast , from developing |
| vegetables as being indispensable for health, | | | | tumors. |
| but it has only been within the last thirty | | | | |
| years that we know why. Science and | | | | Sulforaphane, another phytochemical in |
| technology have isolated compounds in plants | | | | cruciferous vegetables, triggers a |
| and vegetables that have literally been our | | | | self-defense system in the body that acts to |
| life-savers. These are phytonutrients which | | | | detoxify carcinogens. Spinach contains four |
| all fruits and vegetables produce because | | | | times more beta carotene than broccoli and is |
| their means of survival in the environment is | | | | a good source of vitamins C and E. It also |
| through the release of disease-fighting | | | | has high levels of photosynthetic proteins |
| phytochemicals. | | | | which convert sunlight into energy. |
| | | | Researchers at the Massachussetts Institute |
| Phytochemicals stimulate the production of | | | | of Technology are harnessing the power of |
| protective self-repairing cells in plants. | | | | spinach in a new direction--creating highly |
| They also produce the same kinds of responses | | | | cost-effective solar panels. |
| in humans. For example, they release | | | | |
| protective enzymes that inhibit | | | | Soy is another phytonutrient rich food. Soy |
| cancer-producing substances, thus reducing | | | | products contain genestein, which has been |
| our susceptibility to disease. It makes sense | | | | shown to have strong anti-cancer properties. |
| for us to harness the powers of plants in our | | | | It contains as well phytoestrogen, which has |
| diets. Four sources of phytonutrients that | | | | been shown to reduce the risk and spread of |
| cannot be ignored if we want to remain | | | | prostate cancer. Researchers suggest that the |
| healthy and cancer free are berries, | | | | phytonutrient isoflavones, like |
| cruciferous and dark, leafy vegetables, soy | | | | phytoestrogen, may reduce the risk of breast |
| and red wine. | | | | cancer. |
| | | | |
| Berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, | | | | Another isoflavone compound in soy called |
| strawberries, blackberries, raspberries offer | | | | daidzein has also been found to improve |
| the highest sources of phytonutrients. They | | | | cholesterol and triglyceride levels in women. |
| all produce a natural substance called | | | | A study conducted at the Cedars-Sinai Medical |
| ellagic acid which has been shown to be a | | | | Center in Los Angeles has uncovered evidence |
| good defense against carcinogens because they | | | | that this estrogen-like compound is the main |
| suppress tumor development. Blueberries have | | | | reason for soy's healthy effects. Women with |
| the highest antioxidant content. High in | | | | low estrogen levels seemed to have benefited |
| flavonoids, they also provide powerful | | | | most from daidzein, which reduced LDL |
| protection against prostate cancer. | | | | cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, |
| | | | leading researchers to recommend that women |
| Two and a half cups of fresh strawberries a | | | | include soy food products as part of their |
| day can supply enough vitamin C to help | | | | cardiovascular risk reduction strategies. |
| restore sperm production in men. Cranberries | | | | |
| have been known to prevent cystisis, a | | | | And last but not least is the phytonutrient, |
| painful and often recurring urinary tract | | | | resveratrol, found in red wine, that |
| infection in women. A study involving 72 | | | | literally makes wine drinking a |
| postmenopausal women found that 10 ounces of | | | | cancer-fighting measure. Resveratrol is |
| cranberry juice every day reduced the | | | | present in the leaves, twigs and bark of the |
| likelihood of bladder infection by 58%. | | | | grape vines. And red wine, which is fermented |
| Cranberries have also been shown to reduce | | | | from grape skins, seeds and twigs tends to |
| stomach ulcers and lower LDL cholesterol | | | | have large quantities of these |
| levels. | | | | cancer-fighting substances. |
| | | | |
| Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, | | | | Resveratrol has also been demonstrated to be |
| Brussels sprouts, cauliflower) and dark leafy | | | | a potent antioxidant (more potent than |
| vegetables (like swiss chard, spinach) also | | | | vitamin C alone) which can act |
| have high levels of antioxidant | | | | synergistically with vitamin C, thus |
| phytonutrients. In a study conducted by New | | | | enhancing the effects of each. It also |
| York's Strang-Cornell Cancer Research | | | | prevents the formation of blood clots and |
| Laboratory, women who consumed a diet high in | | | | promotes the formation of new dendrites in |
| cruciferous vegetables experienced a dramatic | | | | the brain. |
| drop in estrogen levels, which means that | | | | |
| these vegetable are definitely powerful tools | | | | Let us put all these phytonutrients to good |
| for fighting against breast cancer. The | | | | use. Why not sit down to a hearty soy burger, |
| assumption is that the phytochemicals in | | | | broccoli spears and cauliflower salad, warm |
| these vegetables deactivate potent estrogens, | | | | berry compote and a glass of red wine? Yummy! |
| thus preventing estrogen-sensitive cells, | | | | Life cannot be better! |