Phytonutrients Flashcards
What are phytochemicals?
Chemicals made by plants in reaction to their environment
State 4 common effects of phytonutrients on the body?
Function as antioxidants
Reduce DNA damage
Mimic or interact with hormones
Regulate the cell cycle
Name 3 types of phenols and polyphenols?
Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol)
Phenolic acid
Lignans
What are flavonoids and what actions do they have?
They belong to the polyphenols family and are responsible for colouring fruit and vegetables
Anti-cancer
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Catechins are a type of flavonoid, what actions do they have on the body? (3)
Anti-inflammatory
Protect cartilage by inhibiting collagen breakdown
Lessen joint degeneration (green tea)
State 4 uses/effects of the flavonoid quercetin?
CVD prevention
Cancer - applied topically reduces skin damage from radiotherapy, chemo: increases therapeutic effects of cisplatin and protects kidney from damage by it
Athletes - improves lean body mass when taken as a supplement
Immune function - inhibits histamine release by mast cells, reduces asthma
List 3 sources of kaempferol?
Apples
Onions
Grapes/red wine
State 3 functions of kaempferol?
Strong antioxidant
Prevents arteriosclerosis
Chemopreventive - inhibits formation of cancer cells
Naringin is found where?
Grapefruit
Tomato paste
State 4 effects of naringin?
Antioxidant
Anti-carcinogenic
Cholesterol lowering
Reduces retinal disease linked to diabetes
Isoflavones are also called what? And what do they have?
Phytoestrogens
They have estrogen activity
Soy isoflavones have amphoteric actions, what does this mean?
Two actions
Mimics effects of oestrogen in some tissues
Blocks the effects of oestrogen in others
Soy isoflavones have been found to what?
Inhibit enzymes that play critical roles in stimulating cell proliferation - anti-tumour property
State 4 conditions isoflavones help with?
Cardiovascular disease - sub soy protein for animal lowers cholesterol, 80mg/d soy isoflavone extract for 5 weeks decreased arterial stiffness
Cancer - breast cancer rates in Asia lower than western countries, high soy intake during adolescence associated with lower risk of breast cancer, slows prostate tumour growth
Osteoporosis - soy protein can increase BMD
Menopause symptoms - decreases severity of symptoms
How many g of soy protein per day to prevent osteoporosis?
40
How many g of soy protein a day to reduce severity of menopausal symptoms?
20-60
Discuss isoflavones and thyroid function?
Soy isoflavones have been found to inhibit he activity of thyroid peroxidase - enzyme required for thyroid hormone synthesis
BUT high intakes of soy isoflavones do not appear to increase the risk of hypothyroidism as long as dietary consumption of iodine is adequate
State 3 sources of lignans?
Beans/pulses
Flaxseeds
Sesame seeds
Diets rich in plant lignans are consistently associated with reductions in what?
Cardiovascular disease
Flaxseeds are high in lignans, taking 40g orally per day improves what?
Mild menopausal symptoms
Where are proanthocyanidins found?
Grapes, cocoa and apples
Where is resveratrol found?
Grapes, blueberries and peanuts
State 3 benefits of resveratrol?
Antioxidant
Heart health
Anti cancer - found to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of human cancer cells
What are phytosterols?
Plant derived lipids that are similar in structure and function of cholesterol
Discuss phytosterols and cholesterol levels?
High intake of plant sterols lowers total and LDL cholesterol
