What Are Phytonutrients
and How Do They Help?

What are phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients, including carotenoids and polyphenols, are natural substances found in plants that are shown to be helpful in preventing disease, including heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, macular (eye) degeneration and some forms of cancer. Sources include fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, nuts and teas.

The most familiar of the phytonutrients are carotenoids, the yellow, orange and red pigments found in fruits and vegetables such as carrots, citrus fruits, apricots, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelon, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables.

Polyphenols, which include both flavonoids and non-flavonoids, are also naturally occuring in plants, and are found in berries, red wine, red grapes and grape juice, onions, apples, tea, citrus fruits, certain nuts, and soybeans.

What are Phytonutrients' Role in the Body?
Phytonutrients may support health in the following ways:

• Acting as antioxidants in the body
• Lowing risk for chronic diseases including heart disease and some cancers
• Repairing the damage to DNA caused by smoking and exposure to toxins
• Supporting immune response
• Detoxifying carcinogens
• Affecting cancer cells and causing cancer cell death

How to Get More Phytonutrients
It's easy! Simply eat more vibrantly colorful fruits and vegetables! Start your day with a cup of green tea, have raspberries, blackberries or blueberries on your morning oatmeal (instead of brown sugar!), include dark leafy greens in salads or as lightly steamed spinach, kale, collards, etc., add fresh tomatoes, snack on an apple -- there are MANY ways to up your intake of phytonutrient-rich foods!

We've mentioned it before and we'll say it again here, your anti aging regimen begins with the foods you choose to eat every day. Choose nutrient dense "rainbow foods" and stay younger and healthier longer!

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