4.2 Nutrition - Nutrient-rich foods Flashcards
What are the energetics of Garlic?
Hot
Dry
What is the composition of Garlic?
- Therapeutic effects are mostly due to its volatile organosulphur compounds, particularly allicin*
- Garlic contains the compound alliin Crushing or chopping garlic releases the enzyme allinase which converts alliin into the active compound allicin.
- Rich in fructans (prebiotic oligosaccharides).
- Also contains small amounts of manganese, calcium, selenium and vitamin C
*oily, slightly yellow liquid
What are the benefits and clinical applications of garlic?
- Immunity
- Digestive health
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cardiovascular Health
- Detoxification
- Anti-cancer
How does garlic support immunity?
Antimicrobial
(anti-fungal/bacterial/parasitic/viral)
Garlic increases interferons and macrophages
Applications:
* Dental infections/oral thrush: chew peeled clove
* Athletes foot: Rub a crushed garlic clove on the area
* Ear infections: 2-3 drops of warm garlic oil into affected ear (lay on one side) for 10-15 minutes
How does garlic support digestive health?
- Warming properties stimulate the ‘digestive fire’*
- Supports the GIT microbial balance (Prebiotic/addresses dysbiosis)
*TCM concept
What are the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic?
- Inhibits inflammatory enzymes such as COX and LOX
- Inhibits pro-inflammatory NF-kB
How does garlic support cardiovascular health?
- Antihypertensive effects by increasing levels of the vasodilator nitric oxide
- Decreases arterial calcification (stiffness)
- Reduces LDL and LDL oxidation, whilst increasing HDL
- Has anticoagulant properties (by inhibiting platelet aggregation), hence improving blood circulation
What are the detoxification and anti-cancer properties of garlic?
- Inhibits phase 1 and promotes phase 2 liver detoxification
- Stimulate antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. It is hence used in liver support protocols
- Reduces cancer cell proliferation
Why leave garlic for 10m after crushing and before cooking?
- To allow the time for alliinase enzyme to convert alliin to allicin
- Add in the final minute of cooking as the enzyme alliinase is inactivated by heat
What is a suggested dose of garlic?
- 2 - 5 g fresh raw garlic (1-2 cloves)
- 0 .4 - 1.2 g dried garlic powder
- 2 - 5 mg garlic oil
- 300 - 1000 mg garlic extract (solid)
- 2400 mg aged* garlic extract (liquid)
- Daily in divided doses with food
- Supplementation: Alliicin extract can be used for its anti-microbial properties, especially in cases of dysbiosis (inc. SIBO and candidiasis)
*Aged garlic extract is odourless
What are cautions associated with Garlic ?
- May cause mild GI effects (reflux, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea).
- Intake of garlic should be discontinued 10 days prior to surgery
- Doses of greater than 3 g/day may interact with the antiplatelet medication
What is Ginger?
Zingiber officinalis
Beige bulbous rhizome with yellow fibrous flesh
What are the energetics of Ginger?
- Dry
- Hot (dry ginger)
- Warming (fresh ginger)
What is the composition of Ginger?
Volatile (essential) oils* and compounds called ‘gingerols’
tend to be warming, contain antimicrobials
How can Ginger be used?
- Incorporate easily into cooking
- Ginger tea; pour boiling water over a thumb-sized chunk of grated fresh ginger. Can combine with fennel and peppermint to make a soothing tea for the GIT.
- Use fresh rather than dry ginger for digestive complaints.
- Can alternatively mix with lemon and raw honey for sore throats
- Capsules: split the dose when using for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties (e.g. 400 mg X 3 per day)
What are the benefits and clinical applications of ginger?
- Digestive health
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti nausea agent
- Cardiovascular health
How does Ginger support
Digestive health?
- Stimulates the ‘digestive fire’
- Pro–kinetic - to support the MMC* (SIBO/IBD).
- Fresh ginger is generally more applicable for digestive complaints.
migrating motor complex
What are the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory actions of Ginger?
- Inhibits LOX, COX and TNF-a
- Circulatory influence:
- -Effective for inflammatory joint pain
- -Menstrual pain (pelvic congestion)
- Direct anti–microbial capabilities similar to garlic
How is ginger employed as an
anti-nausea agent?
- Associated with its carminative effects.
- Travel
- Pregnancy
- Cancer-related sickness
- Ideally use fresh ginger for nausea (or a very small amount dry)
- Dry ginger should not be used during pregnancy as it is too hot
Why is Ginger good for cardiovascular health?
- Circulatory stimulant
- Lowers LDLs
- Tincture can be added to other formulae to increase distribution
What is Beetroot?
Beta vulgaris
Both roots and leaves are edible
What are the energetics of Beetroot?
Gently warming
Sweet (and hence nourishing)
What is the composition of Beetroot?
- Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium
- Vitamins C, B6 and Folate
- Phytochemicals inc. betalain pigments (stain urine red)
- Betaine
- Zeaxanthin and lutien (Carotenoids)
- Rich in inorganic nitrates - make nitric oxide available to body tissues
What are the benefits and clinical applications of beetroot?
- Improve exercise performance
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Detoxification
- Cardiovascular health
- Methylation
Why does Beetroot improve exercise performance?
Inorganic nitrates
Nitric oxide - improves oxygen use and stamina
What antioxidants are found in beetroot?
Betalains
Carotenoids
Vitamin C
What are the anti-inflammatory properties of beetroot?
Betalains inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX pathway)
How does Beetroot help in detoxification?
Betalains support phase 2 liver detoxification
How does beetroot support Cardiovascular health?
- Inorganic nitrates are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which has a vasodilatory effect – hence lowering blood pressure.
- Betalains also inhibit LDL oxidation associated with atherosclerosis
What is
Methylation?
- Adding a methyl group to DNA to change gene expression
- Methylation reduces levels of homocysteine
Elevated levels of homocysteine -> inc risk of CV disease
What is Beetroot’s role in
Methylation?
Betaine supports methylation (it’s a methyl donor)
How can Beetroot be incorporated?
Juicing: to get a concentration of nutrients Based on a 250 ml glass
* Hypertension: one glass of the day
* Cancer: 2 to 4 glasses (drunk through the day) to help reduce tumour growth and decrease cancer–related fatigue
* Improve exercise performance: dietary nitrates peak in the blood 1 to 2 hours after ingestion; time accordingly before to max. benefits
* Liver support: one class per day in a liver support protocol
General well-being and energy: Best to eat raw – prone to oxidation and will lose nutrients if cooked.
Cooking helpful where digestions weak – steam gently
What are Blueberries?
Blueberries grow in clusters on shrubby bushes of varying size