Futuristic Medicine Called Phytonutrients

A Health Guide to New Medicine Research

Ever heard of Phytonutrients? Neither had I until I came across them in multiple locations over the internet and in addition to a few books. Phytonutrients are compounds in plant-derived foods that have biological activity in the body that can help reduce cancer, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's disease. Since this is a new concept to genetic engineering and medicine, researchers are just now getting to understand the relationship between phytonutrients and medical issues that plaque the present. Phytonutrients can also be seen in different resources called phytochemicals however is the exact same term.

Phytonutrients are naturally seen in fruits in vegetables. For instance, soy beans reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. This is because the soy bean contains phytonutrients that play an active role in the amelioration of disease. Therefore, some foods such as soy beans, blueberries, barley and so on have ingredients that are not just considered nutrients but rather medicine that is not needed as previously thought for a normal balanced diet to equalize a person's metabolism but rather promote the function of the immune system, act directly against bacteria and viruses and reduce inflammation. Hence, many scientists have found that the leading aid of phytonutrients will deeply affect the treatments of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

There are eight families of phytonutrients established by researchers:
1. Flavonoids: Example: Red Wine and Green Tea

2. Phytosterols: Example: Soybean Oil

3. Capsaicinoids: Example: Chili Peppers

4. Isoflavones: Example: Soy Beans and Clover

5. Organosulfur compounds: Example: Sulfur which is essential in small amounts

6. Monoterpenes: Example: Orange Peels and Essential Oils

7. Saponins: Example: Soy Beans and Aloe

8. Isothiocyanates: Example: Kale and Cabbage

Since the discovery of this new healing concept of phytonutrients, studies have sprung up all over the world. There are five different main ways to research this new theory which are: