Are You At A Higher Risk of Disease Because You’re Missing This One Compound In Your Diet? by Herbalist Wendy Wilson

The month of April is Brussels sprout and cabbage month. Scientific experts are saying that if we eat more fruits and vegetables, which are high in flavonols we can reduce the likelihood of getting a serious disease.

Flavonol nutrition can reduce our risk of developing; asthma, dermatitis, candida infections, cataracts, diabetes, gout, macular degeneration, migraines, periodontal disease, ulcers and varicose veins. When looking to food sources for more flavonols they can be in the pigment fruits and can also be white or green in color depending on the food source. There are over 6,000 different substances found in our plants.

Flavonols were discovered in 1938 by a Hungarian scientist, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, who called the substance “vitamin P”. Let’s see how we can tap into this nutrition and side step disease.

WHAT IT DOES

According to Gyorgyi’s research flavonols are complicated compounds with varying chemical groups depending of the food source. Sometimes the flavonols are named after the plant they are found in such as Ginkgetin from the ginkgo tree. Fisetin and quercetin flavonols are mostly found in vegetables and fruits. So, what do foods with flavonols do to protect our health?

According to The World’s Healthiest Foods.org they help prevent a rupture or leaking of our blood vessels, prevent inflammation and protect cells from oxygen damage while magnifying the benefits of vitamin C. And according to Dr. Ray Sahelian, flavonols reduce the oxidative stress (free radical damage on a cellular level) in the body, especially in the cardiovascular system.

ARE YOU DEPLETED?

What are some of the signs that you may not be getting enough flavonols? Research indicates that if you bruise easily, have frequent colds, infections or nose bleeds and if you swell a lot when injured you could be low on flavanols and probably are not eating enough fruits and vegetables.

YOUR BRAIN

According to research done in 2006 and published in the journal of Neurology, flavonols in fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly but they have to have at least four servings per day. What may be helpful is to determine how much fruits and vegetables you are lacking.

You can find out using the Fruit & Vegetable Calculator which is based on your calorie consumption, age, sex and activity level. For example, a 53-year-old-female who exercises 30 to 60 minutes per day needs 1.5 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day.

FOODS TO CONSIDER

You will find a good source of flavonols in fruits such as; apples, apricots, blueberries, pears, raspberries and strawberries. Other sources to consider are; black beans, cabbage, onions, garlic, parsley, pinto beans, spinach and tomatoes. You will also find them in dark chocolate or cocoa. These types of foods will have higher concentrations (100 mg per ounce) of flavonols called anthocyanins.

Green and white tea can have 1,000 mgs of flavoinols per cup. The reason is the tea leaves are dried immediately instead of fermented as in black or oolong tea and contain less tannic acid. Medical research indicates that it is difficult to overdose on flavonols even while pregnant.

HERBS WITH FLAVONOL POWER

One particular herb that is very powerful with flavonol is Hawthorn berry. Research done on Hawthorn has discovered that this berry helps to prevent congestive heart failure and angina. Hawthorn has antioxidant phytochemicals including the flavonoid called quercetin. According to German studies of 1983 and 1993 they think the quercetin is responsible for improving vascular function by dilating the blood vessels and reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

ZESTY FLAVONOLS

Your peppers also contain the flavonols the body craves. Jalapenos, red and green peppers are considered a superfood source of flavonols. Not only are the hot foods and spices great for circulation (they are known as vasodilators) they also boost the immune system and help maximize the health benefits of antioxidants as well as other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C. The other benefits are they help reduce pain, inflammation, cut mucous and help burn unwanted fat.

FLAVONOL TAKE-OUT

For those looking for flavonol-rich supplements made with certified organic whole foods, call the folks at Apothecary Herbs. Your selection is endless of herbal formulas high in flavonols such as Hawthorn Berries Tincture, Brain Concentrate, Heart Formula, Herbal Eyewash, Circulation Formula, Body Foundation Food Mix and All-In-One just to name a few. Call now to order or to request a free product catalog 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http:/www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

Sources:
http://www.raysahelian.com/flavonols.html
http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/howmany.html
http://www.disabled-world.com/medical/supplements/antioxidants/flavonoids.php

Disclaimer: The information presented is not intended to diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure disease. Seek medical advice from a licensed medical physician before using any product or therapy.