Phytonutrients protect against obesity and related chronic disease

Added 27.11.2009

Obesity, an escalating problem

Obesity in the UK has quadrupled in just the past 25 years, says the National Health Service (NHS). Today, two in three adults are overweight or obese, but obesity is not exclusive to adults; childhood obesity has tripled in the past 20 years with 10% of six-year-olds and 17% of 15-year-olds currently diagnosed as clinically obese. A sedentary lifestyle in front of a computer or television screen and the replacement of vegetables and fruits for saturated and trans fats are largely to blame.

Obesity - having a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more - increases the risk of many diseases including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoarthritis, infertility, depression and cancer. According to the National Audit Office, obesity is responsible for 18 million sick days and 30,000 deaths per year.

Phytonutrients combat obesity

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals, are natural plant compounds which have disease preventive properties. The study specifically examnined: beta-carotene (carrots, squash); lycopene (tomatoes); isoflavones (soy); anthocyanins (grapes); and allin (garlic). A phytochemical index (PI) - the ratio of calories from phytochemica-rich foods to overall daily calorie intake - was used to assess whether phytonutrients had an effect on obesity, oxidative stress and inflammation. As you may already know, obesity and related risk factors, such as heart disease and diabetes, are associated with high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Research results

Researchers found overweight and obese adults have alower intake of phytonutrients (low PI) compared to normal weight adults, which results in higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. A low PI is also linked to yearly weight gain.

Phytonutrients have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and in this way are able to combat oxidative stress and inflammation thus helping to prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and other chronic disease.

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Dr. Bo Nielsen's comments:

Obesity and related diseases are a fast growing health problem in most of the Western world. We all know that a change in eating habits and lack of exercise are major contributing factors. The study indicates that increasing intake of phytonutrients can help to protect against many of the obesity related diseases and may even help obese people lose weight. Many obese people find it very difficult to start eating vegetables instead of the usual unhealthy food. One easy way to add phytonutrients to your diet is to start taking supplements with phytonutrients. The ideal change of lifestyle is to increase physical activity, eat healthy and take high quality supplements.

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