• Naturally occuring chemicals in plants
• 1000's, in whole grains, fruits, vegetables
• Functions:
  • 1. antioxidant
  • 2. inc or dec production of enzymes that detox carcinogens
  • 3. hormone imposters

Phytochemicals

• 1. CARETENOIDS
  • pigments provide color in food
  • beta carotine, ex: carrots
  • lycopene, ex: tomato
    • best absorbed when fat is present & tomato is cooked
    • decrese prostate cancer?
  • luteon & zeazanthin, ex: kale, dark greens
    • eye protection
  • flavenoids, ex: dark chocolate, red wine, & whole grains
    • protects heart
    • antocyanins (high antioxidant capability), ex: blueberries
    • catechins (ECG, EGCG), ex: tea, dark chocolate
• 2. ISOTHIOCYANATES
  • inc production of enzymes & dec risk desease
  • IN BROCCOLI, COLIFLOWER, BRUSSEL SPROUTS, CABBAGE
• 3. SOY
  • breast cancer rate is less in Japan b/c of soy
  • GENESTEIN
    • looks like estrogen
    • long exposure to estrogen inc breast cancer risk
    • genestein binds to estrogen receptors but has less acivity
    • soy needs to be from whole foods