162 Phytochemicals 2004
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Dynamic Chiropractic – January 1, 2004, Vol. 22, Issue 01

Phytochemicals 2004

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN
Plant-derived chemicals, many of which are beneficial to human health and disease prevention, represent a rapidly expanding area of nutrition. Around 4,000 have been identified, of which approximately 150 have been studied. As nutritional therapeutics continue to evolve, it is likely that phytochemicals will play an increasing role in nutritional therapeutics. The following is an updated version of a chart I compiled a few years ago.

Name
Food Source
Effects
Allyl sulfides
Garlic, onions
Lowers the risk of stomach and colon cancer. Increases glutathione production. Limits phase I enzyme production. (Phase I byproducts are quite reactive.), Retains activity after cooking.
Alpha carotene
Carrots, pumpkins
An antioxidant with powerful anticarcinogenic properties.
Beta cryptoxanthin
Oranges, tangerines, papaya
A carotenoid with antioxidant properties.
Brassinin
Cabbage
Has antioxidant properties that, in animal studies, have been shown to reduce tumors in the breasts and skin.
Caffeic acid
Apples
Neutralizes free radicals.
Capsaicin
Hot peppers
An antioxidant, particularly adept at protecting DNA. Blocks nitrosamine formation. Kills helicobacter pylori (a cause of ulcers). Used topically to promote the release of substance P, which results in pain reduction.
Chlorogenic acid
Tomatoes, bell peppers, pineapple, strawberries
Blocks nitrosamine formation during digestion. (Nitrosamine is a powerful carcinogen.
Ellagic acid
Grapes, strawberries, rasberries, blue berries, black berries, nuts
An antioxidant adept at protecting DNA. It remains active after freezing or cooking.
D-carvone
Car away seeds
A monoterpene with anticarcinogenic properties
Diadzein
Soybeans
An isoflavone that may reduce hot flashes and osteoporosis. Also reduces alcohol consumption in dependent animals. Its synthetic metabolite is ipriflavone.
Dithiolthiones
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables
An antioxidant that specifically stimulates enzymes in the glutathione family (powerful free radical scavengers).
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Green tea
EGCG is a polyphenol that, in animal and in vitro studies, has shown inhibition of bladder, breast, colon, liver, leukemic, ovarian, pancreatic, skin and stomach cancers. It may also reduce cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and LDL oxidation. It also has antiviral, antimicrobic, and powerful antioxidant effects against multiple species of free radicals. It increases fat burning in humans beyond what would be expected by the caffeine it contains. It has also been shown to increase the concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer cells and can protect the surrounding healthy tissue. More human studies are greatly anticipated.
Genistein
Soybeans
An isoflavone that inhibits angiogenesis, increases endogenous production of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione, and catalase. It has weak estrogenic activity that allows it to bind on sites reserved for estrogens. This results in a reduction of estrogenic effects.
Indole 3 carbinol (I3C)
Cruciferous vegetables
Modulates estrogen metabolism by increasing the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone (a cancer protector) to 16-hydroxyesterone (a cancer promoter).
Isoflavones
Soybeans
Binds with receptors reserved for estrogen. Standard isoflavone preparations contain approximately 50 percent genistein, 38 percent diadzin and 12 percent glycitin.
Limonene
Citrus fruit
A monoterpene that up-regulates enzymes required to remove carcinogens from inside cell membranes.
Lutein
Corn, kiwi, zucchini squash, yellow squash, butternut, squash, celery, cucumbers, grapes, peas, egg yolk
A carotenoid that can prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation by acting as an intraretinal antioxidant.
Lycopene
Tomato products (sauce, paste catsup), juice watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit
A carotenoid that, in vitro, was found to be twice as powerful an antioxidant as beta-carotene and has been shown to be especially beneficial in reducing prostate, lung and stomach cancer. Quite stable and is in a much higher concentration in tomato products. Its potency is not affected by cooking or freezing.
Monoterpenes
Broccoli, cucumber, cabbage, carrots, squash, yams, eggplant
Can reduce cholesterol and lowers the risk of breast, skin, liver, pancreatic, lung, and stomach cancers.
Oltipraz
Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables
An antioxidant that stimulates glutathione production and can protect liver cells from alfatoxins.
P-coumaric acid
Tomatoes, bell peppers, pineapple, strawberries, citrus
Blocks nitrosamine formation. May reduce stomach cancer. Prevents blood clotting.
3-phthalide
Celery, parsley, carrots
Has antihypertensive effects.
Polyacetylenes
Parsley, celery, carrots
Breaks down tobacco-generated carcinogens.
Phenethyl isothiocyanates (PEIPC)
Cabbage, turnips and other cruciferous vegetables
Antioxidant especially good at protecting DNA. Reduces estrogen to the nontoxic metabolite estradiol.
Phytosterols
Beans
May inhibit some types of colon cancer by a mechanism not yet fully understood. Reduces LDL and total cholesterol without affecting HDL or triglycerides.
Proanthocyanidins [a.k.a. omeric procyanidins (OPC)], procyanidolic oligomers (PCO), anthocyanidins
Grape skins, grape seeds, apples, cranberries, blueberries, French maritime pine bark, peanuts, almonds
Inhibited breast, lung, and stomach cancer in vitro. Also exhibited greater antioxidant protection to brain and liver cells than vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene. Animal studies show promotion of hair growth and inhibited development of atherosclerosis. Can also strengthen collagen by promoting cross-linking and reduced postoperative edema in womenfollowing facial cosmetic surgery.
Resveratrol
Grapes, red wine, peanuts and mulberries
A powerful antioxidant that inhibits LDL oxidation. Is also a natural COX-2 inhibitor that can prevent the growth of cancer cells by reducing angiogenesis. It also induces
phase II liver-detoxifying enzymes.
Sulforaphane
Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale
An isothiocyanate that increases phase II enzyme activity. It also has powerful antioxidant effects, shown in animal studies to reduce breast cancer. It remains active after cooking.
Terpenoids
Winter squash, sweet potatoes, yams, apricots, cantaloupe, turnips, greens, spinach, kale,
carrots, citrus
Reduces arterial plaque formation and quenches multiple species of free radicals.
Triter penoids
Citrus, soy, licorice extract
It has antiulcer/anti-ulcer and anti-dental-decay activity.
Zeaxanthin
Orange bell peppers, orange juice, corn, honeydew, mango, egg yolks, red bell peppers
A carotenoid with antioxidant properties that has been shown to reduce the incidence of age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation by filtering out phototoxic blue light and UV radiation. It is the main pigment in the center of the macula.

G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN
Brea, California


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