Phytonutrients…What Are They?

Phytonutrients are nutrients found in plants that may affect health positively. The health benefits found in these nutrients include decreasing the risk of heart disease and cancer, improving glucose control in people with diabetes, and much more. A few examples of phytonutrients are: carotenoids, flavonoids, lignans, phytosterols and stanols, and some vitamins. Each phytonutrient is found in varying amounts in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts.

Phytonutrients function by:

• Serving as an antioxidant
• Enhancing the immune system
• Altering estrogen metabolism
• Causing cancer cells to die
• Repairing DNA damage

Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and replacing refined grains with whole grains will ensure you are getting the beneficial effects of these powerful phytonutrients. To learn more, contact our office and schedule an appointment today.

Vitamins and Minerals: How Much Do I Need and Where Do I Get Them?

Our bodies work off of the vitamins and minerals we consume through the food we eat. The typical American diet does not provide the proper nutrients needed for our bodies to function as best it can. Here are 3 tips you should follow to get in the vitamins and minerals you need throughout the day.

1. Eat a healthy diet: Make the choice to eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats. These foods will provide the most vitamins, minerals and fiber to help prevent diseases and maintain immunity.

2. Take a multivitamin: Adding a daily multivitamin to your routine is a smart choice as a nutrition insurance policy. There are many different brands and types of multivitamins on the market today. Choosing the right multivitamin to fit your needs is difficult without knowing exactly what your needs are. Before you are evaluated for nutrient deficiencies, choose a basic multivitamin that provides around 100% RDA of most vitamins and minerals.

3. Sunshine for D: Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for bone formation as well as prevention of many diseases such as breast and colon cancer. Many women are deficient in this vital nutrient. Getting out in the sunshine for at least 15 minutes each day will aid in the production of vitamin D through your skin.

To maintain health, it is important to be evaluated for and to replenish your body’s stores of any nutrient deficiencies. Call us today to set up an appointment to determine your specific nutrient needs.

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