QUESTIONS - Nutrient rich foods - superfoods Flashcards
What are nutrient rich foods?
Foods that are high in nutrients and often low in calories
They provide an abundant source of macronutrients, micronutrients, fibre, enzymes (when not processed or cooked) and phytonutrients
what is the difference between nutrient rich foods and true superfoods?
Nutrient rich foods are high in nutrients and often low in calories.
True superfoods contained all or nearly all the vitamins, minerals and trace minerals the body needs
name some nutrient rich foods
Garlic
Ginger
Beetroot
Blueberry
Elderberry
Cranberry
Chia seeds
Pomegranate
Maca
what are the energetics of garlic?
Hot, dry, pungent, spicy
what is the other name of garlic?
Allium sativum
what nutrients is garlic high in?
Volatile organic sulphur compounds, particularly allicin
Fructans (prebiotic oligosaccarides)
Small amounts of manganese, calcium, selenium and vitamins see
what are the therapeutic effects of garlic mostly due to?
Its volatile organic sulphur compounds, particularly allicin.
What is allicin in garlic?
A volatile organic sulphur compound. It is an oily, slightly yellow liquid which gives garlic its distinctive taste and odour
what (inactive) compound is in garlic?
Alliiun
What active compound in in garlic?
Allicin
what enzyme is in garlic and what does it converts?
The enzyme alliinase converts alliin into the active compound allicin
What are the benefits and clinical applications of garlic?
Immunity
Digestive Health
Anti-inflammatory
Cardiovascular health
Detoxification
Anti-cancer
How and why does garlic support the immune system?
It is antimcrobial (antifungal/ bacterial/ parasitic/ viral)
Increases interferons and macrophages
Name three immune related issues that garlic can help with and how to apply it?
Dental infection/oral thrush - chew peeled clove
Athletes foot - rub a crushed garlic clove on area
Ear infections - put 2-3 drops of warm garlic oil into affected ear (lay on side) a 10 to 15 minutes
how does the garlic support to digestive health?
The warming properties stimulate the ‘digestive fire’
It supports GIT microbial balance (prebiotic / addresses dysbiosis)
which anti-inflammatory enzymes / pathways does garlic inhibit?
COX and LOX
Also the pro-inflammatory NF-kB
what are the benefits and clinical applications of garlic
Cardiovascular health
Detoxification
Anti-cancer
what specific effects does garlic have on blood pressure and how?
Antihypertensive effects by increasing levels of the vasodilator nitric oxide - decreases arterial calcification (stiffness)
How does garlic support cardiovascular health?
Antihypertensive effects (vasodilator - nitric oxide)
Reduces LDL-cholesterol and LDL oxidation, was increasing HDL
Anticoagulant properties (inhibits platelet activation), hence improves blood circulation
what effect does garlic have one cholesterol?
Reduces LDL-cholesterol and LDL oxidation, was increasing HDL
what effects does garlic have on platelets and what does this improve?
Anticoagulant properties (inhibits platelet activation), hence improves blood circulation
How does garlic help detoxification in the liver?
Inhibits phase 1 and promote phase 2 liver detoxification.
It also stimulates synthesis of antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase
Which antioxidants does garlic stimulate synthesis of?
Superoxide dismutase
Glutathione peroxidase
how is garlic anti-cancer?
It reduces cancer cell proliferation (through detoxification and antioxidants)
what organ support protocol is garlic often used for and why?
Liver support - inhibits phase 1 and promotes phase 2 liver detoxification.
Stimulates synthesis of antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase
How should garlic be prepared and cooked and why?
Should be crushed all slice and left for 10 minutes before cooking
The enzyme alliinase is inactivated by heat
what garlic supplement is there, what can it be used for?
Alliicin extract
Antimicrobial properties, especially cases of dysbiosis (including SIBO and candidiasis)
what cautions should you be aware of regarding garlic and why?
May cause mild GI effects (e.g. reflux, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea)
Intake should be discontinued 10 days prior to surgery and doses of greater than 3 g of day may interact with anti-platelet medication
What is garlic (description)?
A bulb consisting of cloves in a white or mauve-tinged parchment like skin
what is ginger?
A beige ball bulbous rhizome with yellow fibrous flesh
What is another name for ginger?
zingiber officinalis
what are the energetics of Ginger?
Dry ginger hot
Fresh ginger is warming
Dry
What are the therapeutic nutrients in garlic called?
Volatile oils and compounds called ‘gingerols’
what is the recommended dose (mg) of ginger when using for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties?
400 mg three times a day (important to split doses throughout the day)
what are the benefits and clinical applications of ginger?
Digestive health
Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
Anti nausea agent
Cardiovascular health
what inflammatory pathways this ginger inhibit, and what type of condition does it help reduce?
LOX, COX and TNF-a
Inflammatory joint pain
How and why does ginger support the immune system?
It is antimcrobial (antifungal/ bacterial/ parasitic/ viral)
Increases interferons and macrophages
how does ginger reduce nausea?
Associated with carminative effects.
It whate conditions can ginger be used for it’s anti-nausea effects?
Travel, pregnancy, cancer related sickness
Use fresh ginger (for a very small amount of dry) for nausea. Do not use dry in pregnancy as it is too hot
how does ginger support cardiovascular health?
It is a circulatory stimulant and lower LDLs
what type of vegetable is a beetroot
Reach vegetable
What are the energetics of a beetroot?
Gently warming, sweet (and hence nourishing)
what nutrients is beetroot high in?
Iron, magnesium, magnesium, potassium
Vitamins C, B6 and folate
Phytochemicals including betalain pigments (red), betalaine, zeaxanthin and lutein
Inorganic nitrates - nitric oxide
what are the benefits and clinical applications of beetroot?
Improves exercise performance
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Detoxification
Cardiovascular health
Methylation
how does beetroot improve exercise performance?
The inorganic nitrates (which make nitric oxide available to body tissues) improve oxygen use and stamina during exercise
which antioxidants does beetroot contain?
Betalains, carotenoids, vitamins C