Phytofood Reds 250gm Jar: NZ Natural Health for New Zealand natural health products

Phytonutrients: The Red Pigments

For decades, mankind has existed on highly processed food, typically not providing an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. These nutrient deficiencies have well been recognised to be related to poor health. It has now been discovered that this same highly processed food have a lack of plant pigments (phytonutrients) and that such plant pigments are utilised in our body chemistry. A low intake of these pigments is also related to poor health. We are used to taking a multivitamin to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Now we must ensure our daily intake of phytonutrients. This can easily be done by taking a multiphytonutrient supplement.

Phytofood Reds is a fortified food powder containing 21 natural superfoods with 11 added beneficial nutrients. In this, each vegetable and fruit concentrate provides various phytonutrients that we need to ensure good health. This functional food has been put together to provide the nutrients used in our body to detoxify and protect us against environmental exposures and internal demands. Phytofood Reds then acts to provide a range of phytonutrients especially contained its red pigmented plants and these together with the added nutrients provide a comprehensive antioxidant food.

The phytonutrients appear to serve three major functions in the human body: they act as antioxidants; they regulate hormone levels; and they eliminate toxins. The antioxidant properties of the phytonutrients make Phytofood Reds a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect our bodies against free radical damage that has been associated with degenerative diseases.

Phytonutrients also supports healthful levels of various hormones, which in turn help keep disease at bay. For example, isoflavones to support hormonal balance and protect against free radical damage.

Hundreds of phytonutrients have been identified and studied. Many of them show tremendous promise as health and healing dynamos. These phytonutrients include carotenoids, flavonoids, lignans, isothiocyanates & indoles, phenols, saponins, sulfides and so on.

Carotenoids are naturally-occurring colourful compounds that are abundant as pigments in plants, such as carrots, tomatoes etc. Research suggests that carotenoids have a diverse biological functions, including protecting the integrity of the body’s cells from oxidative and free radical damage, enhancing the action of the immune system, activating the expression of genes involved in cell-to-cell communication, and protecting the skin from UV radiation, etc. There are a range of carotenoids, which include alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin.

Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are responsible for the red, yellow and orange colours of the fruits and vegetables. Alpha-carotene protects the body against skin, eye, liver and lung damage. Beta-carotene acts to screen plant cells from UV light as well as controlling the generation of free radicals resulting from UV exposure. Scientific studies suggest that the body uses up beta-carotene to help fight the effects of UV light on the skin.

Lycopene is responsible for the red colour of the tomatoes and rosehips and has antioxidant properties. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids present in the macular region of the retina and are linked to the normal functioning of the macular, which is responsible for vision. They are obtained primarily from dark, leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale.

Coumarins can be found in cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, citrus, melons, parsley and green tea. They are essential for blood health and circulation.

Flavonoids are found in most fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, onions, apples, kale, broccoli, grapes, red wine and tea. They act as antioxidants, supporting blood health. liver health, cardiovascular and circulatory health. A subgroup of flavonoids, called anthocyanidins, strengthen collagen (used to make skin, tendons and ligaments) and scavenge free radicals in tissue fluids.

Ellagic Acid has antioxidant properties and is found in strawberries, grapes, raspberries and apples.

Glucosinolates can be obtained from cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli. They help to activate enzymes that detoxify the liver.

Indoles support hormonal balance. They can be found in cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, cabbage and broccoli.

Isothiocyanates can be found in cruciferous vegetables. They can aid in inducing protective enzymes.

Lignans act as antioxidants and insoluble fibres. Their main sources are from berries and whole grains.

Phenols come from almost all fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as green teas. Their roles include acting as antioxidants.

Saponins are found in tomatoes, spinach, onions and garlic. They help to stimulate the immune system and cholesterol balance. Saponins aid in blocking absorption of dietary cholesterol and excreting it from the body.

Sulfides (organosulfurs) such as allyl sulfides and diallyl disulfides are found in onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots. They support the immune system, circulation, liver health, heart health and blood sugar balance.

Besides these phytonutrients, Phytofood Reds also contains the basic nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. These are the nutrients that we take through food. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are essential in large amounts since they are the building blocks and energy for the body. Vitamins and minerals are essential in minute amounts in the body. They trigger the mechanisms that replenish the building blocks and “ignite” the metabolism to release the energy. They also aid the body in defending itself against harmful substances.

Phytofood Reds is formulated with a range of plant concentrates which provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B, C, E and K, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, sulphur, copper, and others all of which support overall health and well being. All these nutrients have their functions in the body. For instance, vitamin A supports eye health, promotes bone growth, teeth development, and reproduction; helps form and maintain healthy skin, hair, mucous membranes; and builds body’s resistance to respiratory and other infections. Another example is iron, which is importatn for bone-marrow production of haemoglobin, the red-blood-cell pigment that carries oxygen to body cells and form part of several enzymes and proteins in the body.

Phytofood Reds has been prepared with additional nutrients to provide us the nutrients that may be lacking in the food that we normally consume.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid & Calcium Ascorbate) is a very important vitamin. It helps to promote healthy capillaries, gums, teeth; aid iron absorption; heal wounds, burns and broken bones; increase calcium absorption; form collagen in connective tissues; aid in adrenal gland function; reduce free-radical production etc.

Bioflavonoids are brightly coloured chemical constituents of the pulp and rind of citrus fruits, green pepper, tomatoes and broccoli. They may act as an antioxidant, increase effectiveness of Vitamin C and help manage healthy cholesterol levels.

Quercitin is one of the bioflavonoids. It may help balance blood-sugar levels.

D-alpha tocopherol is the most absorbable form of Vitamin E. It aids in promoting normal growth and development, normal red-blood-cell formation and vitamin C recycling. Vitamin E acts as an anti-blood clotting agent and antioxidant to enable the body to better deal with free radicals in the body. It also improves immunity especially in Vitamin E deficient people.

Lipoic Acid is a contingent nutrient which helps recycle antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, E, Coenzymes Q10 and Glutathione. It improves ATP synthesis, and supports glucose metabolism.

L-Glutathione is an amino acid that acts as an extracellular anti-oxidant, anti-toxin, and deactivator of free radicals. It helps to regulate the immune system, inhibit lipid peroxidation, protect intestinal endothelial cells against oxidative stress and protect the integrity of red blood cells.

Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes. It appears to have protective properties against free radical damage and supports prostate health.

Co-enzyme Q10 acts as a lipid antioxidant. It is a cofactor in several metabolic pathways particularly oxidative respiration. It also improves the energetic of the immune cellular system.

Zinc is a mineral that functions in antioxidant reactions, maintains normal taste and sense of smell, promotes normal growth and development, aids wound healing, helps synthesise DNA and RNA, promotes cell division, repair and growth. It also boosts immunity in zinc-deficient people.

Selenium complements Vitamin E as an efficient antioxidant. It also promotes normal growth and development and stimulates the immune system.

Phytofood Reds is an ideal nutritional boost for every individual who wants to ensure that in one’s diet that one has the nutrients and phytonutrients needed for optimum health especially from natural superfoods. It is fortified with key nutrients to enable the body to boost the immune system and protect the body against free radical damages, all which have been associated with degenerative diseases. Phytofood Reds is designed for both dietary supplements and food applications.

Mix 1-3 teaspoons up to 3 times daily of Phytofood Reds into juice, milk shake, smoothie, salads, dressings or other food. Children ½ to 1 teaspoon daily.

People who are on medication (aspirin, anticoagulant etc) or have any medical condition (pregnant, lactating, liver or kidney problem, gout, iron-overload disease, bleeding etc) need to consult a health care professional before taking the supplement.

Freeze dried and air dried fine powders of: Beetroot, Carrot, Tomato, Hawthorn Berry, Red Pepper, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Red Cabbage, Rosehips, Echinacea, Strawberry, Elderberry, Green Tea, Bilberry, Garlic, Red Onions, Red Wine, Grapeseed and Pine Bark.

Antioxidant Update (June/July 1996) The Latest News on Antioxidant For The Health Food Industry, Henkel Australia.

Colton K. (1999) Smart Guide to Healing Foods, New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Griffith , H. W. (1998) Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals & Supplements: The Complete Guide, Arizona: Fisher Books.

Reavley N. (1998) The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs, Melbourne: Bookman Press.

Vita Forum (Autumn 1997) The Latest News on Antioxidant For The Health Food Industry, Henkel Australia.