Health Benefits of Plant Foods A to Z continued
Sulphur | A group of antioxidant compounds that enhance immune function, |
Compounds | reduce the size and number of tumour cells, assist in the excretion |
| of carcinogens andtrigger enzyme systems that block or suppress |
| damage to DNA. |
|
|
Terpenoids | A potent group of antioxidants. |
|
|
Thiamin | A B vitamin, thiamin is used in the production of energy and to |
| maintain a healthy nervous system. |
|
|
Vitamin A | Essential for growing cells, good vision and healthy respiratory and |
| urinary systems. Beta carotene is transformed into vitamin A by |
| the body. |
|
|
Vitamin B6 | Used in the production and turnover of proteins in the body. |
|
|
Vitamin C | An antioxidant that enables the body’s absorption of iron, assists |
| wound healing, is involved in the formation of collagen and may |
| reduce the severity of a common cold. |
|
|
Vitamin D | Enables the absorption of calcium into bones and teeth. |
|
|
Vitamin E | A strong antioxidant, vitamin E is essential to protect cells from |
| damaging effects of oxygen radicals. |
|
|
Vitamin K | Important for the formation of blood clots in open wounds after |
| injury. |
|
|
Volatile Oils | ‘Essential’ aromatic oils used in complementary therapy. |
|
|
Zinc | Used for a healthy immune system, strong eyesight, wound healing |
| and in a number of enzyme systems. |
|
|
Zeaxanthin | A type of carotenoid that has been shown to protect the |
| degeneration of eyesight. |
|
|
18
