Ever heard of icothiocyanates ? phytochemicals ? what about dna methylation ? understanding those terms may lead you to a better understanding of why unrefined, nutritious food is essential to a healthy diet.

Broadly defined, nutrients are substances that the body's systems utilize, that the body itself cannot produce on its own. Examples include vitamins and phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals which are only found naturally in plants are diverse both in terms of their variety and the way they transmit their effects. Every plant has a unique set of phytochemicals however some phytochemicals can be found in many plants such as is the case with selenium. The phytochemical allyl disulphide that makes your eyes water when you cut into an onion is actually extremely beneficial; it lowers your blood sugar by activating more sites in the liver where insulin is produced --> this results in more insulin which converts more glucose into fuel that can be used by cells. Phytochemicals also produce anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Protect yourself against tumors simply by chewing vegetables !! Icothiocyantes are actually produced in the mouth while one chews broccoli, cabbage; This happens because the chewing breaks down the cell walls of the plants and that releases myronase --> ITC's. Icothiocyantes are unique in that they can inhibit a variety of enzymes implicated in tumor development (changes that can even lead to the destruction or apoptosis of diseased cells).

Also remember that phosphorylation of key enzymes (thereby turning them on and off) is intrinsically important as it is the route many antioxidants must take to transmit their effects.

A cell is put at risk of dna damage when atoms (ie oxygen) lose an electron --> making them charged and highly reactive. When the atom eventually incorrectly pairs with an electron, the nucleus is easily damaged (because it's immediately surrounded by the electrons) and ultimately dies. Antioxidants such as the phytochemicals only available in unrefined fruits and vegetables are our body's only defense against free radical dna damage.

Before rushing to the drug store to buy supplements, keep in mind that only naturally consumed antioxidants can provide you with dna protection; supplements still considered benefical because they boost protection of other cell components including that proteins that participate in important cellular pathways.

As more cells get damaged the people age at an accelerated rate. A free radical also damages future dna by affecting its blueprint for dna and rna.