Phytonutrients Revolutionize the Daily Multi...

by Eric Robert Santiago on 02/07/13

Your body uses more than just vitamins and minerals. Scientific opinion on daily nutritional supplementation is changing, with evidence suggesting that a multi that contains only vitamins and minerals may not be enough. In addition to essential nutrients, plants also contain thousands of phytonutrients that are known to support the body in multiple ways. Eating plans that are rich in phytonutrients from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices are associated with increased health and longevity.

Get multiple benefits from multiple phytonutrients. Scientists continue to uncover the many health benefits of phytonutrients, such as resveratrol, lutein, lycopene, citrus bioflavonoids, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Individual phytonutrients target different health systems to promote healthy functioning. They also complement other phytonutrients (and vitamins and minerals) to support the body in general ways like protecting cells from oxidative stress that can increase with age, pollutants, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and even certain processes with the body itself. Phytonutrients can also help protect the stability of the delicate genetic programming information in a cell (DNA) against damage that can negatively affect functioning and overall health. Similarly, phytonutrients can enhance cell-to-cell communication in favor of "healthy" signals to help the body run the way it should.

How many phytonutrients (and how much) do I need? There are no established daily intake requirements, but health experts already recommend eating a wide variety of colorful, plant-based foods to supply essential nutrients plus a broad spectrum of phytonutrients. When choosing a daily multi that contains phytonutrients, it's important to know that there's a scientific design and testing to support the combination of phytonutrients it contains.