What are Phytochemicals, where do we find them, and why do we want them?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines phyto-chemicals as "natural plant compounds that may provide a variety of health benefits, (and) many of the bright colors in fruits and vegetables come from phytochemicals."
If calcium is a mineral and niacin is a vitamin, something like lycopene -- found in tomatoes -- is a phytochemical.
Some of the diseases & conditions scientists now believe may be prevented by a large enough intake of living “Phytos” are: cancer, coronary heart disease, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, as well as helping to control blood pressure, to name a few.
As we begin to take a more proactive interest in our own health, we will pay greater attention to such things as: are we eating enough fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, as well as, are we getting a great enough variety of color? Remember all the different colors represent different antioxidants, so we need a “rainbow” of colors in the vegetables and the fruits we eat!
Food for thought: An apple has over 12,000 phytos in it, all working synergistically with one another….science today has knowledge of only a small number of these phytos in regard to what they do, and how they help us stay healthy; they know the rest of them are there, but they don’t know specifically, what they do for us. My guess is that they ALL have a hand in our on-going health, so I’ll put my money on fruits and vegetables…lots of them! How about you?
JoiLin Johnson, Wellness Consultant
For more information go to www.JoiLin4Health.com
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Eight Reasons We Ought To Be Eating More Fruits And Vegetables
1. In make-up, the largest component of fruit, is water. Our bodies are the same. If we think about it, it makes sense to eat foods that contain the same balance of water.
2. Fruit is free of the BAD Cholesterol, whereas, foods like animal products and dairy contain a lot.
3. Fruit Stimulates our memories, in fact it is second only to water in being the ultimate brain fuel, helping us to recall information easier and faster.
4. Eating fruit makes us Feel Better, and may help banish depression when eaten in large quantities on a daily basis.
5. Eating fruit, and vegetables on a regular basis helps the body to heal, in fact, we’ve probably all read stories about the incredible healing effects of fruits and vegetables on major diseases.
6. Fruits and vegetables are really economical, when compared to the cost of the other foods we buy. This is especially true if we take a good hard look at the effect the “other” foods have on our bodies.
7. Fruits and vegetables contain both soluble and insoluble fibers, both are needed on a daily basis for good health. Eating a diet rich in plenty of plant fibers helps to maintain healthy weight, contributes to regulating blood pressure, as well as contributing to many other factors in the body that help maintain cardiovascular health, build a strong immune system, etc.
8. Fruits and vegetables are a Natural Food, being designed for consumption by humans, and other animals, it contributes on so many levels to our on-going health, allowing for systems to run at optimal levels, helps us ward off disease, and even has the possibility of turning a disease around that may have begun to present itself.
Note: the old standard used to be that we needed to eat between 5 and 7 raw fruits and vegetables each day, now with depleted soils, and produce being picked green, we need between 9 and 13 each day! How many do you eat? Give yourself the gift of health and promise to do better!
To Your Health!
JoiLin Johnson, Wellness Consultant
For more information go to www.JoiLin4Health.com
2. Fruit is free of the BAD Cholesterol, whereas, foods like animal products and dairy contain a lot.
3. Fruit Stimulates our memories, in fact it is second only to water in being the ultimate brain fuel, helping us to recall information easier and faster.
4. Eating fruit makes us Feel Better, and may help banish depression when eaten in large quantities on a daily basis.
5. Eating fruit, and vegetables on a regular basis helps the body to heal, in fact, we’ve probably all read stories about the incredible healing effects of fruits and vegetables on major diseases.
6. Fruits and vegetables are really economical, when compared to the cost of the other foods we buy. This is especially true if we take a good hard look at the effect the “other” foods have on our bodies.
7. Fruits and vegetables contain both soluble and insoluble fibers, both are needed on a daily basis for good health. Eating a diet rich in plenty of plant fibers helps to maintain healthy weight, contributes to regulating blood pressure, as well as contributing to many other factors in the body that help maintain cardiovascular health, build a strong immune system, etc.
8. Fruits and vegetables are a Natural Food, being designed for consumption by humans, and other animals, it contributes on so many levels to our on-going health, allowing for systems to run at optimal levels, helps us ward off disease, and even has the possibility of turning a disease around that may have begun to present itself.
Note: the old standard used to be that we needed to eat between 5 and 7 raw fruits and vegetables each day, now with depleted soils, and produce being picked green, we need between 9 and 13 each day! How many do you eat? Give yourself the gift of health and promise to do better!
To Your Health!
JoiLin Johnson, Wellness Consultant
For more information go to www.JoiLin4Health.com
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