The idea to optimize oneโs health by using botanicals dates back to at least 4th Century BC. Documents written by Hippocrates on the use of herbs for therapeutics can be found from the Roman Era.
Many centuries later, we now have even more knowledge of the exact biochemical pathways that are responsible for these therapeutic effects.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ต๐๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐? ๐ฑ
These are natural compounds found in plants. In the plant itself, these compounds are generated as a self-defense mechanism to fight against infections, pests, environmental stressors etc.
Much to our relief, these same compounds can have a beneficial role in human bodies as well.
4 major classes of phytochemicals/secondary metabolites:
๐ฅฆ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฌ
๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐จ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ
โ๏ธ๐๐ค๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ข๐๐ฌ
๐ฅฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ
With more research we now know that the above compounds can get rid of toxins, boost the immune system, improve cardiovascular health, induce death of cancer cells etc. just to name a few!
So bottom line is eat more vegetables and fruits
Until next time,
Shiven Chaudhry, MD ๐งโโ๏ธ๐จ๐ฝโโ๏ธ
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