What are Phytochemicals: Where do we find them, Why do we want them?

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