1. Phytochemicals Presented by Janice Hermann, PhD, RD/LD
OCES Adult and Older Adult Nutrition Specialist

2. Phytochemcials and Functional Foods
Foods contain many different nutrients:
Carbohydrates
Fiber
Lipids
Proteins
Vitamins
Minerals
PHYTOCHEMICALS AND FUNCTIONAL FOODS
Foods provide the major nutrients – carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water.

3. Phytochemicals and Functional Foods
Plant foods also contain non-nutrient compounds including – phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are compounds in foods that physiological activity in the body
In addition, foods provide tens of thousands of non-nutrient compounds, including phytochemicals. Phytocehmicals are compounds found in food that have physiological activity in the body.

4. Phytochemicals and Functional Foods
Concept that foods provide health benefits beyond those provided by the major nutrients has developed from numerous epidemiological studies demonstrating a protective effect of plant foods on cancer and heart disease.
The concept that foods provide health benefits beyond those provided by major nutrients has developed from numerous epidemiological studies demonstrating a protective effect of plant foods on cancer and heart disease.

5. Phytochemicals andFunctional Foods
Although current research is discovering the beneficial roles of phytochemicals have in human health.
Only a few of the tens of thousands of phytochemicals have been researched, and there are still many questions and only indefinite answers.
Although current research is discovering the beneficial roles phytochemicals have in human health, only a few of the tens of thousands of phytochemicals have been researched, and there are still many questions and only indefinite answers.

6. Phytochemicals and Functional Foods
Concept foods provide health benefits beyond those of nutrients initiated name “functional foods"
Nature’s functional foods
Grains rich in dietary fibers
Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Fruits, vegetables and legumes rich in phytochemicals and fiber
Newest controversies is the development of novel foods to which phytochemicals have been added to promote health.
Foods have been known to be beneficial to health and prevent disease for years, but now these foods have been given a name – functional foods. Functional foods such as whole grains rich in dietary fibers, fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and fruits rich in phytochemicals have many health benefits. However, one of the newest controversies related to functional foods is the development of novel foods to which phtochemicals have been added to promote health.

7. Phytochemicals and Functional Foods
Phytochemicals can have profound physiological effects in the body, functioning as:
Antioxidants
Mimicking hormones
Suppressing the development of diseases
Phytochemcials
Phytochemicals can have profound physiological effects in the body, functioning as antioxidants, mimicking hormones, and suppressing the development of diseases.

8. Example Phytochemicals
Carotenoids in deeply pigmented fruits and vegetables (apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes) act as antioxidants possibly reducing risk of cancer and other diseases.
Curcumin in tumeric may inhibit enzymes that activate carcinogens

9. Example Phytochemicals
Flavonoids in berries, black tea, celery, citrus fruits green tea, olives, onions, purple grapes, purple grape juice, soy beans and soy products, vegetables, whole wheat, and wine act as antioxidants, scavenge carcinogens, bind to nitrates in the stomach preventing conversion to nitrosamines, and inhibit cell proliferation.

10. Example Phytochemicals
Indoles in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables and mustard greens may trigger production of enzymes that block DNA damage from carcinogens and may inhibit estrogen action.
Isothiocyanates in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables and mustard greens inhibit enzymes that activate carciongoens, trigger production of enzymes that detoxify carcinogens.

11. Example Phytochemicals
Lignans in flaxseed and whole grains block estrogen activity in cells.
Monoterpenes in citrus fruit peels and oils may trigger enzyme production to detoxify carcinogens; inhibit cancer promotion and cell proliferation
Organosulfur compounds in chives, garlic, leeks, and onions may speed production of carcinogen destroying enzymes, slow production of carcinogen activating enzymes.

12. Example Phytochemicals
Phenolic acids in coffee beans, fruits, oats, potatoes, and soybeans may trigger enzyme production to make carcinogens water soluble facilitating excretion.
Phytic acids in whole grains binds to minerals, preventing free-radical formation.
Phytoestrogens (genistein and daidzein) in soybeans and other legume products mimic estrogen and may inhibit estrogen

13. Example Phytochemicals
Protease inhibitors in broccoli, potatoes, soy beans and other legumes may suppress enzyme production in cancer cells, slowing tumor growth, inhibit hormone binding and inhibit malignant changes in cells.
Phytosterols in soybeans and other vegetables may protect against heart disease by inhibiting cholesterol absorption

14. Example Phytochemicals
Saponins in alfalfa sprouts, green vegetables, potatoes and tomatoes may interfere with DNA replication, preventing cancer cells from multiplying and stimulate immune response.
Tannins in black-eyed peas, grapes, lentils, red and white wine and tea may inhibit carcinogen activation and cancer promotion and act as antioxidants.

15. Protecting Against Cancer
Many phytochemicals from many different foods seem to protect against cancer by preventing DNA damage.
Soybeans, flaxseed oil, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are rich sources of phytochemicals, including phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens weakly mimic or modulate the effects of estrogen in the body.
Phytoestrogens have antioxidant activity and seem to slow the growth of breast and prostate cancer.
Protecting Against Cancer:
Numerous phytochemicals from many different foods seem to protect the body against cancer by preventing DNA damage.
Consumption of soybeans and products made from soybeans are correlated with lower rates of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer. Soybeans, flaxseed oil, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are all rich sources of an array of phytochemicals, including phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that weakly mimic or modulate the effects of estrogen in the body. Phytoestrogens have antioxidant activity and seem to slow the growth of breast and prostate cancer.

16. Protecting Against Cancer
Tomatoes appears to protect against esophagus, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers.
Lycopene is found in apricots, guava, papaya, pink grapefruits, watermelon, and it is especially abundant in tomatoes and cooked tomato products.
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Protecting Against Cancer:
Consumption of tomatoes appears to protect against esophagus, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers. Among the phytochemicals responsible for this effect is lycopene, one of the numerous carotenoids. Lycopene is found in apricots, guava, papaya, pink grapefruits, watermelon, and it is especially abundant in tomatoes and cooked tomato products. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

17. Protecting Against Cancer
Soybeans and tomatoes are examples of only two of the many fruits and vegetables attributed with protecting against cancer.
Researchers hypothesize that people may cut their risk of cancers in half by simply consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.
Protecting Against Cancer:
Soybeans and tomatoes are examples of only two of the many fruits and vegetables attributed with protecting against cancer. Researchers hypothesize that people may cut their risk of cancers in half by simply consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.

18. Protecting Against Heart Disease
Diets rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits also appear to lower risk of heart disease.
These foods provide an abundance of nutrients, fiber, and phytochemicals.
Protecting Against Heart Disease:
Diets rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits also appear to lower risk of heart disease. These foods provide an abundance of nutrients, fiber, and phytochemicals.

19. Protecting Against Heart Disease
Flavonoids - large group of phytochemicals that may protect against heart disease.
Flavonids found in whole grains, legumes, soy, vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, teas, chocolate, nuts, olive oil, and red wines.
Flavonoids are strong antioxidants that may help to protect LDL cholesterol against oxidation and reduce blood platelet stickiness, making blood clots less likely.
Protecting Against Heart Disease:
Flavonoids is a large group of phytochemicals that may protect against heart disease. Flavonids are found in abundance in whole grains, legumes, soy, vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, teas, chocolate, nuts, olive oil, and red wines. Flavonoids are strong antioxidants that may help to protect LDL cholesterol against oxidation and reduce blood platelet stickiness, making blood clots less likely.

20. Protecting Against Heart Disease
In addition to flavonoids, fruits and vegetables are rich in carotenoids.
Diets rich in carotenoids is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Two carotenoids that may defend against heart disease are lutein and lycopene.
Protecting Against Heart Disease:
In addition to flavonoids, fruits and vegetables are rich in carotenoids. A diet rich in carotenoids is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Two carotenoids that may defend against heart disease are lutein and lycopene.

21. Protecting Against Heart Disease
Phytosterols found in soybeans and other vegetables appear to protect against heart disease.
Phtosterols are similar in structure to cholesterol and inhibit the absorption of cholesterol decreasing blood cholesterol levels.
Phytoestrogens may also protect against heart disease by functioning as antioxidants and lowering blood pressure.
Protecting Against Heart Disease:
Phytosterols found in soybeans and other vegetables also appears to protect against heart disease. Phtosterols are similar in structure to cholesterol and inhibit the absorption of cholesterol, resulting in decreased blood cholesterol levels. Soy phytoestrogens may also protect against heart disease by functioning as antioxidants and lowering blood pressure.

22. Phytochemicals in Perspective
Because foods deliver thousands of phytochemicals in addition to dozens of nutrients, consumers must be careful in giving credit for particular health benefits to any one compound.
Diets rich in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits seem to be protective against disease, but identifying the specific foods or components of foods that are responsible is difficult.
Phytochemicals in Perspective:
Because foods provide tens of thousands of phytochemicals in addition to dozens of nutrients, one must be careful before giving credit for health benefits to any one compound. Diets rich in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and nuts seem to be protective against heart disease and cancer, but identifying the specific foods or components that are responsible is difficult.

23. Phytochemicals in Perspective
Foods contain many phytochemicals.
Broccoli may contain as many as 10,000 different phytochemicals
Each with the potential to influence some action in the body.
The effect of different phytochemicals in food may be synergistic.
This reinforces the principle of variety.
Phytochemicals in Perspective:
Every food contains a unique array of nutrients, fiber and phytochemicals; for example citrus fruits provide monoterpenes; grapes contain resveratrol; and flaxseed supplys lignans. Broccoli is believed to contain as many as 10,000 different phytochemicals – each with the potential to affect some physiological action in the body. Even identifying all of the phytochemicals and their effects can’t provide all the answer because phtochemcial actions may be complementary or overlapping – which reinforces the principle of variety in diet planning.

24. The following diagram illustrated the array of phytochemicals offered by a variety of fruits and vegetables.

25. Functional foods... from nature from manufacturers
Functional foods can come both from nature and manufacturers
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

26. Functional Foods
Because foods naturally contain thousands of phytochemicals, whole foods, in reality, are functional foods.
Cranberries may help protect against urinary tract infections
Garlic may help ower blood cholesterol; and tomatoes may protect against certain types of cancers
Functional Foods:
Foods naturally contain tens of thousands of phytochemcials that are physiologically active in the body, and almost all of them have some special value in promoting health. Thus, foods in themselves are functional foods. For example, cranberries may help protect against urinary tract infections; garlic may help lower blood cholesterol; and tomatoes may protect against certain types of cancers.

27. Functional Foods
In addition to naturally occurring functional foods, food manufacturers are trying to create functional foods as well – becoming the fastest growing trend in the food supply.
Foods may be fortified or enhanced with nutrients, phytochemicals or herbs
Sometimes an entirely new food is created
Functional Foods:
But in addition to naturally occurring functional foods manufactures are beginning to create functional foods. In fact, developing functional foods is becoming one of the fastest growing trends and potentially one of the greatest influences on transforming the American food supply.
Many processed foods are converted into functional foods when they are fortified with nutrients or enhanced with phytochemcials or herbs. Sometimes an entirely new food is created, such as in the case of a meat substitute made of mycoprotein – a protein derived from a fungus. This functional food provides dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fats, and high-quality protein, but also it lowers LDL cholesterol, raises HDL cholesterol, improves glucose response, and prolongs satiety.

28. Foods or Drug?
Such functional foods raise the question – is it a food or drug?
In the past, most could agree what was a food and what was a drug.
Functional foods have distorted the distinctions.
Functional foods have characteristics of both foods and drugs, but do not fit clearly into either category.
Foods as Pharmacy:
Such a unique functional food makes us question – is it a food or a drug?
In the past, most could agree what was a food and what was a drug. Functional foods have distorted the distinctions. Functional foods have characteristics of both foods and drugs, but do not fit clearly into either category.

29. Foods or Drug?
 For example, yogurt contains Lactobacillus and other living bacteria that ferment milk into yogurt.
These microorganisms, called probiotics, alter the gastrointestinal population of microorganisms, which protects the gastrointestinal tract against disorders.
Foods as Pharmacy:
For example, yogurt contains Lactobacillus and other living bacteria that ferment milk into yogurt. These microorganisms, called probiotics, alter the gastrointestinal population of microorganisms, which protects the gastrointestinal tract against disorders.

30. Foods or Drug? Research is investigating whether probiotics:
Help to alleviate diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and lactose intolerance
Enhance immune function
Protect against gastrointestinal cancer
Lower blood cholesterol
Foods as Pharmacy:
Research is investigating whether probiotics help to alleviate diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and lactose intolerance as well as enhance immune function; protect against gastrointestinal cancer; and lower blood cholesterol. As research on the potential health benefits of probiotics is revealed, food manufacturers may begin to include these microorganisms in a variety of other foods.

31. Food or Drug?
An example of where food manufactures are developing products with added phytochemicals is margarine.
Consuming nonhydrogenated margarine sparingly may lower blood cholesterol slightly over several months and falls clearly falls into the category of a food.
Whereas, the drug Lipitor lowers blood cholesterol significantly within weeks and clearly falls into the category of a drug.
Foods as Pharmacy:
Another example of where food manufactures are developing products with added phytochemicals is margarine. Consuming nonhydrogenated margarine sparingly instead of butter generously may lower blood cholesterol slightly over several months and falls clearly falls into the category of a food. Whereas, the drug Lipitor lowers blood cholesterol significantly within weeks and clearly falls into the category of a drug.

32. Food or Drug?
Consider, margarine enhanced with the phytosterol. Phytosterol is a phytochemcial that is structurally similar to cholesterol, and has been found to lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol absorption.
Margarine enhanced with phytoserol falls between the categories of a food and drug.
Foods as Pharmacy:
Then consider, margarine enhanced with the phytosterol. Phytosterol is a phytochemcial that is structurally similar to cholesterol, and has been found to lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Margarine enhanced with phytoserol falls between the categories of a food and drug.

33. Food or Drug?
Use of functional foods to result in beneficial effects results in a whole new set of diet- planning problems.
Just as drugs, functional foods may need to be consumed several times a day for several months or years to have beneficial effects. Sporadic use may have disappointing results.
Foods as Pharmacy:
The use of functional foods to result in beneficial effects results in a whole new set of diet-planning problems. Just as when drugs are used to treat diseases, functional foods may need to be consumed several times a day for several months or years to have beneficial effects. Sporadic use may have disappointing results.

34. Food or Drug? For example:
Margarine with added phytosterols consumed four times a day for four weeks lowered cholesterol by 8 percent.
But cholesterol lowering drugs lowered cholesterol by 32 percent.
Functional foods may be more useful for prevention and mild disease cases than for intervention and more severe
Foods as Pharmacy:
For example, margarine with added phytosterols consumed four times a day for four weeks lowered cholesterol by 8 percent, but not as much as the 32 percent reduction in cholesterol with cholesterol lowering drugs. These results indicate that functional foods may be more useful for prevention and mild disease cases than for intervention and more severe cases.

35. Cost Differences There may also be a difference in cost as well.
Functional foods such as fruits and vegetables have no added costs
Foods manufactured with added phytochemcials can be expensive, costing much more than their conventional counterparts
Foods as Pharmacy:
There may also be a difference in cost as well. Functional foods such as fruits and vegetables have no added costs, but foods manufactured with added phytochemcials can be expensive, costing much more than their conventional counterparts.

36. Unanswered Questions
To achieve a desired health effect, which is the better choice: to eat a food designed to affect some body function or simply to adjust the diet?
Does it make more sense to use a margarine enhanced with a phytosterol that decreases cholesterol absorption, to consume foods naturally high in phytosterol or limit the amount of saturated fat in the diet?
Unanswered Questions
To obtain a desired health effect, is it better to eat a food manufactured To obtain a desired health effect, is it better to eat a food manufactured to affect a physiological function or simply modify the diet? Is it better to use margarine with added phytosterol to lowers blood cholesterol or limit the amount of saturated fat eaten? Is it better to eat eggs with added omega-3 fatty acids or to limit egg consumption? to affect a physiological function or simply modify the diet? Is it better to use margarine with added phytosterol to lowers blood cholesterol or limit the amount of saturated fat eaten? Is it better to eat eggs with added omega-3 fatty acids or to limit egg consumption?

37. Unanswered Questions
One concern is that the food industry moves too fast for science and the FDA to keep up.
Consumers were able to modified foods while research is still being conducted as to the safety and efficacy.
Unanswered Questions
Could functional foods offer a sensible solution to improving one’s health – perhaps so, if done properly. However, there is a problem with functional foods - the food industry is moving faster than researchers or the Food and Drug Administration can to keep up. Consumers are able to buy foods with added substances while research on the safety and effectiveness of these substances is still in progress.

38. What Should Consumers Think
Does it work?
Research is generally lacking and inconclusive
How much does it contain?
Research is lacking as to what level is effective or dangerous
Is it safe?
Functional foods can act like drugs, they contain ingredients that can alter body functions.
Is it healthy?
Adding phytochemcials to a food doesn’t magically make it a healthy choice
What Should Consumers Think
Consumers are able to buy foods with added substances while research on the safety and effectiveness of these substances is still in progress. Until research is completed, consumers are left on their own in finding the answers to the following questions:
Does it work? Research is generally lacking and findings are often inconclusive.
How much does it contain? Food labels are not required to list the quantities of added phytochemicals. Even if they were, there is no standard for comparison to determine whether the amounts listed are a little or a lot. Most importantly, until research is complete, food manufacturers do not know what amounts (if any) are most effective – or toxic.
Is it safe? Functional foods can act like drugs. They contain ingredients that not only can alter body functions they can cause allergies, drug interactions, and other side effects. Yet unlike drug labels, food labels do not provide instructions for the dosage, frequency, or duration of treatment.
Is it healthy? Adding phytochemcials to a food does not magically make it a healthy choice. A candy bar may contain added phytochemicals, but it still may be high in sugar and fat.

39. What Should Consumers Think
Researchers have not identified the perfect combination of nutrients and phytochemciasl for optimal health.
Yet food manufacturers are freely adding various phytochemicals to foods.
What Should Consumers Think
Some suggest that identifying something as a “functional food” may be nothing more than a marketing ploy. Researchers have not identified the perfect combination of nutrients and phytochemciasl for optimal health. Yet food manufacturers are freely adding various phytochemicals to foods. Is it okay for food manufactures to freely add phtochemicals to foods and label them “functional,” implying they have a health benefit?

40. What Should Consumers Think
Important to remember foods naturally provide a variety of nutrients and non- nutritive compounds that may be beneficial to health, most of which have yet to be identified or understand.
A well balanced diet, from a variety of foods can in itself provide the variety of nutrients and non-nutrients for health and well-being.
What Should Consumers Think
It’s important to remember that foods naturally provide a complex variety of dozens of nutrients and thousands of additional non-nutritive compounds that may be beneficial to health, most of which have yet to be identified or understand. A well balanced diet, from a variety of foods can in itself provide the variety of nutrients and non-nutrients for health and well-being.