Phytochemical Classes
- Isoprene units-protect the body from free radicle oxygen species
- Subclass–Carotenids are fat soluble meaning they are found in fatty tissue transported through out the body by lipoproteins.
- Alpha-carotene– slows the growth of tumors very strong cell protector
- Beta-carotene- acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart disease, strokes, and eye disorders, lowers serum cholesterol, stimulates the immune system, coverts into vitamin A as needed.
Did you know?
Tomatoes contain over an estimated 10,000 different phytochemicals!
Carotenoid work best with flavonoids!
Inflammation is hard to detect yet slowly attacks the tissues in the brain, arteries, and joints!
Blueberries repair damage that already happened!
If natural killer cells aren’t working cancer will spread!
The best phytochemical rich foods:
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Chili peppers
- Citrus fruit
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Flaxseeds
- Garlic
- Melons
- Pink grapefruit
- Soybeans
- Sweet potatoes
Life saving phytochemicals & the foods they’re found in
Class: Isoprenoids/Terpenes-protect plants from free radical oxygen species
Subclass: Carotenoids-fat– soluble and found in fatty tissue in the body
Transported in the blood by lipoproteins
Type: Carotene– (carotenoids that only contain hydrogen and carbon)
Alpha-carotene– slows cancer cell growth, protects against oral, pancreatic, lung, liver, and skin cancers.
Food sources: asparagus, avocado, bananas, blueberries, brocclie, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, dates, grapefruit, grapes, Kale, mangoes, oranges, palm oil, peppermint, pumpkin, raspberries, red & yellow peppers, sea vegetables, tangerines, and yellow corn.
Beta-carotene-acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart disease, strokes, and eye disorders. It stimulates the immune system, lowers serum cholesterol, and is converted into vitamin A in the body as needed.
Food sources: Apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, Broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, cherries, citrus fruits, currants, dates, figs, grapes, honeydew melons, hot & sweet red peppers, kiwi, leafy greens, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, parsley, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, plums, pomegranates, pumpkin,squash, sweet potatoes, watermelon, & yams.
Lutein-protects against age related macula degeneration. Guards against cell damage caused by toxins.
Food sources: beet greens, broccoli, cilantro, collard, dill, honeydew melon, kiwi, mangos, marigold, mustard, oranges, papayas, peaches, spinach, sweet red peppers, turnips, yellow squash.
Lycopene- protects against cell damage body acting as an antioxidant, and protects against cancers of the digestive tract, (the colon, esophagus, mouth, rectum, stomach, and throat) as well as cancer of the bladder, cervix, lung, pancreas, and prostate.
Food sources: tomatoes when cooked it increases absorption of lycopene. Also found in apricots, cherries, guava, red and pink grapefruit, red peppers, strawberries, & watermelon.
Xanthophylls- carotenoid compounds that contain hydroxyl groups, keto groups, or both.
Anthoxanthins- act as antioxidants. Food sources include cabbage sprouts, cauliflower, and potatoes.
Beta-cryptoxanthin- increases the activity of vitamin A and helps protect against cervical cancer.
Canthaxanthin- acts as an antioxidant, boosts immunity, slows the growth of cancer cells, and may help prevent skin & breast cancer.
Food sources: mushrooms particularly reishi, maitake, and shiitake.
Zeaxanthin-protects against age-related macular degeneration. It improves the immune system and blocks the activity of peroxide free radicals.
Food sources: beet greens, chicory leaf, collard, kale, kiwi, mangoes, mustard, okra, oranges, papayas, spinach, sweet red peppers, swiss chard, turnip, and yellow squash.
Subclass: Monoterpenes-act as antioxidants, limit cholesterol synthesis, and aid in the activity of protective enzymes that inhibit the actions of carcinogens.
Food Sources: basil, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, citrus fruits, cucumbers, eggplant, mint, parsley, peppers, & squash.
Limonoids-have been shown to protect lung tissue and guard against cancer. They induce protective enzymes, deactivate carcinogens, reduce cholesterol, protect against cataracts, and enhance immunity.
Limonene- protects against cancer by stimulating anti cancer enzymes and cancer-killing immune cells.
Food sources: caraway, cardamom, celery, citrus fruits, fennel seed, & rosemary.
Perillyl alcohol- may downgrade the malignancy of tumor cells,
Food sources: apricots & cherries
Alpha-Pinene- an aromatic monoterpene that acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Food sources: allspice, anise, basil, bay leaves, bell peppers, caraway, cardamom, carrots, celery, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel, ginger, grapefruit, lemons, limes, marjoram, oranges, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, spearmint, tangerines, tarragon, thyme, & turmeric.
Capsaicin- act as an antioxidant, lowers triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, reduces blood clotting, helps to prevent alcohol-induced stomach damage, protects against ulcers, speeds up the metabolism, and protects cells DNA from carcinogens. Capsaicin is also an effective painkiller and anti-inflammatory agent, and has been used effectively in the treatment of arthritis, cluster headaches, diabetic neuropathy, phantom limb pain after amputation, psoriasis, shingles, and trigeminal neuralgia.
Food sources: chili peppers, cumin, & turmeric
Subclass: Diterpenes- Diterpenes are one of the major constituents of plant resins and include compounds that act as sweeteners, fragrances, flavorings, and anticancer, antihypertensive, and anti inflammatory agents.
Food sources: found in most herbs including oregano, rosemary, and stevia
Carnosol- acts as an antioxidant, inhibits the development of tumors, and prevents fats in the body from oxidizing and damaging cells.
Food source: Rosemary
Ginkgolides- bitter diterpenes found in the root, bark, and leaves of ginkgo biloba. Ginkgolides are antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, and anticoagulants. They are used in the treatment of asthma, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), inflammation, and sepsis (blood poisoning).
Subclass: Phytoserols- protects against colon cancer by slowing down the reproduction of cells in the large intestine. They also enhance immunity, block the uptake of cholesterol in the intestines, and expedite the excretion of cholesterol from the body. They protect against heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, reduce inflammation, and alter tumor growth. The most common phytosterols are beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol.
Food sources: vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts
Subclass: Triterpenes/Triterpenoids- May inhibit hormone-dependant steps in tumor formation. They also have antioxidant properties, help reduce cholesterol levels, and have been shown to inhibit breast cancer in laboratory tests.
Food sources: cereal grains, cruciferous veggies, citrus fruits, and licorice root
Class: Phenols/Phenolic Compounds/Polyphenols/Polyphenolic compounds- This class of phytochemicals blocks the enzymes that cause inflammation, protects against inflammatory reactions caused by solar radiation, lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke, helps to prevent cell mutation, inhibits tumor formation and growth, and inhibits the production of prostaglandin, which causes blood clotting. These phytochemicals act as antioxidants, protect cells from structural damage, and reduce the risk of cancer by trapping carcinogens and assisting in their excretion from the body. They also form complexes with reactive metals, thus reducing their absorption. At least 8,000 phenolic compounds have been identified and roughly half are flavonoids.
Subclass: Flavonoids- Flavonoids act as antioxidants, enhance the immune system, and inhibit enzymes responsible for metastasis (the spread of cancer cells throughout the body). They prevent cancer-promoting hormones from attaching to normal cells and guards against blood clots. They help lower the risk of estrogen related cancers, such as breast cancer, by blocking the enzymes that make estrogen. They also protect against heart disease as well as stroke, regulate the enzymes that control cell division, modify allergic reactions, reduce capillary fragility, and enhance the function of vitamin C in the body.
Food sources: apples, blueberries, citrus fruit, cranberries, chamomile tea, currants, flaxseed, lentils, onions, red wine, rice, soybeans, and both green and black tea
Type: Tannins- Tannins occur in nearly every type of plant in the world. They protect plants from mold, fungi, bacteria, and foraging animals. They have an astringent quality that is readily noticeable in the taste of tea and wine. Tannins have antioxidant properties and are antimutagenic (they help to prevent cells from mutating), which makes them an important focus of cancer research. Tannins are generally categorized into two subgroups: hydrolizable tannins, which include gallotannins, ellagitannins, and caffetannins; and condensed tannins, which are the oligomers and polymers of flavanols and include the proanthocyanidins.
Anthocyanidins and their precursors, proanthocyanidins act as antioxidants, reduce the risk of muscular degeneration by protecting the eyes from free radical damage, increase circulation, stabilize collagen structures (which hold tissues together), protects against heart disease and stroke by inhibiting the production of clot-promoting prostaglandins, and help the body dispose of potential carcinogens.
Food sources: beets, bilberries, black berries, blueberries, cherries, citrus fruit, concord grapes, cranberries, currants, eggplant, figs, green tea, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, radishes, raspberries, red cabbage, and strawberries
Catechins act as antioxidants, protect the liver, boost fat metabolism, enhance immunity, lower cholesterol levels, and protect against respiratory and digestive infections. Catechins include epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate.
Food Sources: green tea, black tea, grapes, berries, cherries, grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges, and tangerines
Ellagic acid- acts as an antioxidant, decreases cell mutation, and inhibits damage to the cells DNA from carcinogens. It also prevents the formation of cancer-causing substances called nitrosamines in the body. It slows tumor growth by blocking the production of enzymes used by cancer cells, inhibits lung and skin tumors, and is considered a vital nutrient in the fight against smoking related cancers.
Food sources: apples, blackberries, carrots, citrus fruits, cranberries, grapes, nuts, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, walnuts, and whole grains
Ferulic acid- prevents the formation of cancer causing nitrosamines in the body.
Food Sources: apples, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, oranges, red and white wines, red and yellow onions, shallots, and tangerines
Caffeic acid- Triggers the production of enzymes that make carcinogens more water soluble, thereby making them easier to flush out of the body.
Food sources: Many fruits & veggies
Chlorogenic acid- a conjugated form of caffeic acid, prevents the formation of cancer- causing nitrosamines in the body.
Food sources: carrots, green peppers, pineapple, strawberries, and tomatoes
Gallic acid- anticancer and antioxidant properties
Food sources: green & black tea
Resveratrol- inhibits the formation and spread of cancerous tumors. It also modulates cholesterol metabolism and has chemical-detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties.
Food sources: grapes, mulberries, peanuts, and red wine
Type: Curcuminoids- very powerful antioxidants that inhibit tumor growth, and protect DNA from damage by tobacco and other carcinogens. They have the ability to break down amyloids which are proteins that cause a plaque-like build up that interferes with brain cell communication and causes memory recall. They can also reverse oxidative damage and inflammation, conditions that lead to alzheimer’s disease. Curcuminoids increase the secretion of bile by stimulating the bile duct, protects the liver by detoxifying, stimulates and protects the gall bladder, helps to protect against heart disease, helps to inibit platelet aggregation (thus improving circulation), inhibits enzymes that induce inflammatory prostaglandins, and helps to break down fats and reduce LDL (bad cholesterol). They also soothe the stomach and prevent gas. Many curcuminoids have been discovered so far, including curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and cassumunins A & B, among others.
Food Sources: curry ,ginger, and turmeric
Type: Flavones- Flavones have been found to stop the proliferation of human breast cancer cells and to act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which give them the potential to be used as natural, safe antidepressants.
Apigenin- has been used in antiviral treatments for HIV and other infections, and in preperation for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and many skin conditions. The high concentration of apigenin in passionflower has led to its use in alternative medicine as an antispasmodic for Parkinson’s disease, easing asthma symptoms, reducing pain associated with neuralgia, and the treatment of shingles. Apigenin is an anti cancer, antiinflammatory, and antifungal agent.
Food sources: apples, cilantro, cloves, endive, grapes, leeks, onions, parsley, tarragon, and tomatoes. Also present in tea and wine.
Luteolin- inhibits the growth of human leukemia cells and thyroid cancer cells; is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergenic agent; and protects against atherosclerosis and autoimmunity.
Food sources: artichokes, basil, celery, cruciferous vegetables, parsley, rosemary, and sweet red peppers
Type: Flavonols- known for their antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti cancer properties, as well as their ability to protect against cardiovascular disease.
Rutin- strengthens the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, including those in the eyes. Used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and poor circulation, and is helpful for those with arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. Rutin has a high level of superoxideanion scavenging ability, making it an important antioxidant.
Food source: Buckwheat
Quercetin- one of the most abundant flavonoids and is readily available in many foods and beverages. Provides cardiovascular protection, helps prevent cataracts, has anticancer, anti inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antihistamine, and antiviral properties. Offers protection from ulcers. Protects against HIV, herpes simplex virus type 1, poliovirus type 1, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus type 3. Protects against many different types of cancer cells including gastric, endometrial, breast, leukemia, lung, colon, ovary, and squamous cell cancers. Quercetin has also been shown to be an important addition to nutritional supplementation for people with diabeties as it protects against cataracts and neurovascular problems
Food sources: apples, berries, cruciferous veggies, onions, red wine, tea, many types of nuts and seeds
Subclass: Isoflavones/Phytoestrogens- Isoflavones are a very important group of phytochemicals aslo known as phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens help to normalize estrogen levels in woman. In men they can block testosterone without causing feminine characteristics. They inhibit estrogen related cancers, decrease postmenopausal symptoms, lower blood cholesterol levels, protect against breast cancer, prostate cancer, and osteoporosis, and decrease atherosclerosis. Isoflavones destroy enzymes that transform normal cells into cancer cells and prevent tumors from forming a blood supply thus restricting their growth.
Food sources: soybeans and other soy products such as soymilk and tofu, apples, beans, carrots, corn, flaxseeds, lentils, peanuts, peas, red clover, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and whole grains.
Type: Coumarin- prevents abnormal blood clotting and stimulates anticancer enzymes.
Food sources: cereal grains, citrus fruit, flaxseeds, licorice, parsley, strawberries, tomatoes, and vegetables
Type: Daidzein- Daidzein is an estrogen like compound that is formed from isoflavones. It helps to compensate for estrogen discharged from the body by the liver and the colon, lessening the effects of a decline in estrogen. May help with bone formation and prevent and even reverse osteoporosis (bone thinning).
Food sources: soy foods as well as alfalfa, beans, lentils peanuts, peas, and sprouts.
Ipriflavones- synthasized from daidzein. They may help protect against osteoporosis by preventing bone reabsorption and by stimulating bone collagen synthesis.
Food source: soybeans
Type: Genistein- inhibits estrogen related cancers and the growth of blood vessels around the cancer cells thats needed to feed growing tumors, decreases postmenopausal symptoms, lowers blood cholesterol levels, and reduces the risk of heart disease. May help prevent both breast and prostate cancers.
Food sources: soy foods, alfalfa, beans, lentils, peanuts, peas, and sprouts
Type: Lignan- Acts as an antioxidant by blocking body chemicals known as prostaglandins, and inhibits the production of estrogen by fatty tissues. Lignan helps to lower cholesterol levels, protects against colon cancer, and helps to prevent the formation of gallstones
Food sources: fatty fish, flaxseeds, legumes, millet, oats, plums, rice, soybeans, spelt, walnuts, and wheat.
Class: Thiols- Thiols are sulfer containing phytochemicals. They lower cholesterol levels, decrease blood clotting, and have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Food sources: garlic, onions, cruciferous veggies
Subclass:Allylic Sulfides- Increase the production of enzymes that affect carcinogenic substances and help the body to get rid of them. These phytochemicals have anticancer, immune enhancing, and memory enhancing properties. They are also antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiplatelet properties. They are also well known for lowering levels of LDLs while maintaining healthy levels of high-density lipoproteins (good cholesterol).
Food sources: chives, garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, and shallots
Type: Allicin- protects the stomach against the formation of ulcers and helps to treat intractable diarrhea resulting from infection with Cryptosporidium parvum. Also has anticlotting, anti tumor, antibiotic, and antifungal properties. Lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, blocks the ability of carcinogens to mutate healthy cells into cancerous cells, boost immunity, combats the fungal organism Candida albicans, and protects against damage from oxidizing agents and heavy metals. Allicin also reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver.
Food sources: chives, garlic, and onions
Type:S-Allyl Cysteine- Blocks the formation of harmful nitrosamines in the stomach, and may stimulate anticancer enzymes.
Food sources: chives, garlic, and onions
Subclass: Glucosinolates- protect against breast cancer, stimulate anticancer enzymes, inhibit enzymes that cause cell mutation, and help rid the body of carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke.
Food sources: cruciferous vegetables, garden sorrel, horseradish, mustard and turnip greens, rutabagas, radishes, and watercress
Type: Dithiolthiones- Suppress tumor growth and protect against DNA damage from carcinogens in tobacco smoke, helping to inhibit lung cancer.
Food source: Broccoli
Type: Isothiocyanates- protect against breast cancer, stimulate anti cancer enzymes, inhibit enzymes that initiate cancer, and help rid the body of carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke.
Food sources: cruciferous veggies, garden sorrel, horseradish, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas. Turnips, and watercress
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)- protects against breast cancer, stimulates anti cancer enzymes, inhibit enzymes that intiate cancer, and help rid the body of carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke.
Food sources: cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables, garden sorrel, horseradish, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, turnips, and watercress
Sulfurophane- protects against breast cancer, activates the liver to produce enzymes that bind to carcinogens and transport them out of the cells, inhibits enzymes that contribute to cancer, and helps rid the body of carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke.
Food sources: cabbage and other cruciferous veggies, garden sorrel, horseradish, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, turnips, and watercress
Subclass: Indoles- protect against breast and ovarian cancer by helping to prevent abnormal stimulation of estrogen. Indoles also inhibit enzymes that initiate cancer, and help to rid the body of carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke. Other benefits include improved immune response, retarded tumor growth, and assistance in the excretion of toxins from the body. Indoles also appear to combat cancer by sensitizing otherwise resistant cancer cells to cancer fighting drugs.
Food sources: cruciferous veggies particularly broccoli, garden sorrel, horseradish, mustard and turnip greens, radishes, rutabagas, and watercress
Subclass: Tocopherols and Tocotrienols- phytochemicals in this subclass act as antioxidants and protect against cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Tocopherols are used in the treatment of acne, alcohol induced liver disease, allergies, anemia, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, cervical dysplassia, diabeties, eczema, epilepsy, fibrocystic breast disease, gall stones, hepatitis, herpes, HIV/AIDS, immunodepression, infections, inflammation, lupus, macular degeneration, menopausal symptoms, multiple sclerosis, myopathy, neuralgia, neuromuscular degenertion, osteoarthritis, Parkinsons disease, peptic ulcers, periodontal disease, peripheral vascular disease, premenstrual syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Raynaud’s disease rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, seborrheic dermatitis, shingles, and skin ulcers.
Food sources:asparagus, avocados, berries, green leafy veggies, nuts & seeds, palm oil, tomatoes, and whole grains
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