| KEY TERMS Analgesic—A substance capable of producing analgesia, meaning one that relieves pain. Antianemic—Preventing or curing anemia, a condition characterized by a lower than normal count of red blood cells. Antiemetic—Agents that prevent nausea and vomiting. Antifungal—Substance that prevents the growth of fungi. Antihyperlipidemic—Substance used in the treatment of very high serum triglyceride levels. Antimicrobial—Substance that prevents the growth of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Antimutagenic—Substance that protects against genetic mutation. Antinociceptive—Substance that reduces sensitivity to painful stimuli. Antioxidative—A substance that inhibits oxidation. Antipyretic—An agent that reduces or prevents fever. Antitussive—Preventing or relieving cough. Astringent—Tending to draw together or constrict tissues. Atherosclerosis—Clogging, narrowing, and hardening of the body’s large arteries and medium-sized blood vessels. Carminative—A substance that stops the formation of intestinal gas and helps expel gas that has already formed. Demulcent—A substance that soothes irritated tissue, especially mucous membranes. Diaphoretic—An agent that promotes sweating. Emetic—A medicine that induces nausea and vomiting. Emollient—An agent that softens and soothes the skin when applied locally. Enzyme—A protein that accelerates the rate of chemical reactions. Estrogen—A hormone produced by the ovaries and testes. It stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics and induces menstruation in women. Expectorant—A substance that stimulates removal of mucus from the lungs. Hematemesis—The medical term for bloody vomitus. Intermittent claudication—Symptoms that occur when the leg muscles do not receive the oxygen rich blood required during exercise, thus causing cramping in the hips, thighs or calves. Hypolipidemic—Promoting the reduction of lipid concentrations in the serum. Hypotensive—Agent that lowers blood pressure. Laxative—A medicine that helps relieve constipation. Narcotic—An agent that causes insensibility or stupor; usually refers to opioids given to relieve pain. Nervine—An agent that calms nervousness, tension or excitement. Neurogenic bladder—An unstable bladder associated with a neurological condition, such as diabetes, stroke or spinal cord injury. Osteoarthritis—A form of arthritis, occurring mainly in older persons, that is characterized by chronic degeneration of the cartilage of the joints. Psoriasis—A chronic disease of the skin marked by red patches covered with white scales. Sedative—A substance that reduces nervous tension. Sialagogue—Promotes the flow of saliva. Tonic—An agent that restores or increases body tone. Trace minerals—Minerals needed by the body in small amounts. They include: selenium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, arsenic, germanium, lithium, rubidium, tin. |
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What are Phytonutrients?
Phytonutrients are a class of nutrients that are thought to have health-protecting properties. The prefix phyto is from the Greek and means plant, and it is used because phytonutrients are obtained only from plants.
What is the Purpose of Phytonutrients?
Unlike the macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, trace minerals) that are needed for growth, metabolism, and other body functions, phytonutrients are not considered essential. This is because they can be lacking in the diet without harmful health consequences. However, throughout history, plants have been cultivated and used to prevent and treat various human diseases. More recently, understanding the chemical role played by these phytonutrients in plants has provided new clues as to how they may help humans. When eating plant-based foods, some of these phytonutrients identified as protectors in plants are transferred to our
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bodies. The herbs and spices used for adding flavors and tastes to foods are now known to be associated with a long list of potential beneficial effects on human health. Phytochemicals derived from the plants to this day remain the basis of several medications used for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Throughout the world, botanists and chemists actively search the plant kingdom for new phytochemicals. Over 40% of medicines now prescribed in the Unites States contain chemicals derived from plants. For example, ephe-drine, a phytochemical, is used in the commercial preparation of pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for the relief of asthma symptoms and other respiratory problems. Phytochemicals isolated from plants have also been a great help for discovering a large proportion of the drugs now available for the treatment of a wide range of human diseases such as pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and cancers.
Ways phytonutrients may protect human health
Serve as antioxidants
Enhance immune response
Enhance cell-to-cell communication
Alter estrogen metabolism
Convert to Vitamin A (beta-carotene is metabolized to vitamin A)
Cause cancer cells to die (apoptosis)
Repair DNA damage caused by smoking and other toxic exposures
Detoxify carcinogens through the activation of the cytocrome P450 and Phase II enzyme systems
More research is needed to firmly establish the mechanisms of action of the various phytochemicals
SOURCE:Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets © 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
