Beneficial Bacteria: Rejuvenate with Phytonutrients

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Beneficial bacterica are important for a healthy digestive tract.

An interview with Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.

The former senior research scientist at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, Jeffrey Bland is the founder of HealthComm International, a research and development company in the field of functional medicine. His most recent book is The 20-Day Rejuvenation Diet Program with Sara Benum (Keats 1996).

Herbs for Health—Why did you decide to write The 20-Day Rejuvenation Diet Program?

Jeffrey Bland—During the past ten years, I’ve worked with more than 25,000 health practitioners to develop nutritional programs for their severely ill patients. Over the years, many doctors have requested such programs for patients who have chronic complaints that can be helped through diet, such as fatigue, digestive problems, and food allergies.

HH—How do nutritional supplements help us maintain good health?

JB—Along with a good diet, a combination of high-potency multivitamins and minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and herbal supplements can combat oxidative stress on the body.

HH—What is oxidative stress?

JB—Oxidative stress occurs when harmful forms of oxygen increase in the body. While oxygen is essential for life, oxygen molecules with an unpaired electron scavenge other molecules, damaging our health. These bad forms of oxygen—such as hydrogen peroxide—are manufactured in the body following exposure to radiation, pollution, viruses, medication, alcohol, cigarettes, heavy exercise, and stress. Antioxidants detoxify the damaging forms of oxygen. Some antioxidants are manufactured in the body while others come from the foods we eat.

HH—What role do phytonutrients play in the rejuvenation program?

JB—“Phyto” is Greek, meaning “plant”. Plant-derived nutrients are used by plants to hold cell walls together, produce coloration, act as hormones or chemical messengers, defend against harmful insects, and attract pollinating insects. In humans, phytonutrients can help protect us against disease by strengthening the immune system, fighting cell oxidation, and detoxifying the body.

HH—What is an example of a phytonutrient?

JB—There are thousands of phytonutrients, and many more have yet to be isolated and analyzed. There also are different families and classes of phytonutrients such as isoflavones, which are found in soy and can influence the normalization of hormones in humans. Broccoli and cauliflower contain phytonutrients called glucosinolates, which can influence how the liver detoxifies foreign substances. Some carotenoids found in red-orange fruits and vegetables are antioxidants. Lutein, another carotenoid, may help protect against macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in the United States). Other phytonutrient families include lignans, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenes, amino acids, and peptides. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and turnips, soy, dark green leafy vegetables, red-orange fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits, and garlic all contain high levels of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients support proper endocrine function and help defend against toxic substances associated with increased risk of heart disease and cancer.