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Phytonutrients are nutrients originating from plant material that have actually been revealed to be essential for sustaining human life. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals which contain protective, disease-preventing, substances. Their role in plants is to shield plants from illness, injuries, pests, drought, excessive heat, ultraviolet rays, as well as poisons or pollutants in the air or dirt. They are part of the plants immune system. Although phytochemicals are not yet classified as nutrients, compounds required for sustaining life, they have actually been identified as including properties for aiding in illness prevention. Phytochemicals are linked with the prevention and/or treatment of at the very least 4 of the leading causes of death in Western countries-- cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. They are involved in many processes including ones that help to protect against cell damage, prevent cancer cell duplication, and minimize cholesterol levels. One of the most crucial kinds of phytochemicals are the phytosterols or phytohormones as they are sometimes recognized. These are plant based sterols that act as precursors to human sterols. They act to modulate the human hormonal system. Among the most essential human sterols is Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is made in our adrenal glands and serves a range of functions. It is commonly called the 'Mother' hormone as it has the capacity to transform itself into other hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and corticosterone, on demand. Therefore it is a forerunner to all of the other hormones and active metabolites. Precursors are compounds the body utilizes to produce various other compounds. Scientific research has revealed that adequate DHEA in the body could slow down the aging process, and protect against, or even often reverse problems such as cancer, heart disease, memory loss, obesity, and also osteoporosis. DHEA blood levels are at a maximum in between ages 20 to 25 years and then decrease with age in both males and females. DHEA is the forerunner of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. That is, our body generates cortisol as well as adrenaline from DHEA. When our body makes these substances, DHEA levels decrease. With our demanding lives it is no wonder that most people have deficient levels of DHEA as well as the medical conditions, and degenerative diseases noted above. |