This document discusses phytochemicals, which are plant-derived compounds that provide color, flavor and odor to plants and may offer disease protection. It outlines several potential health benefits of phytochemicals such as lowering disease incidence and having antioxidant, hormonal, and anti-bacterial effects. Specific phytochemicals like phenols, flavonoids, resveratrol, catechins and curcumin are examined for their neuroprotective properties and ability to influence cognition and protect against neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Food sources of various phytochemicals and recommendations to incorporate more fruits and vegetables containing phytochemicals into one's diet are provided.

1. E M I L Y G E R L A C H
Food for Thought:
PHYTOCHEMICALS

2. Objectives
 Accurately define phytochemicals and food sources of
phytochemicals.
 State potential health benefits of phytochemicals.
 Recognize neurodegenerative conditions that may be
affected by phytochemicals.
 Understand the connection between aging and cognition.
 Understand the connection between phytochemicals and
neurological function, particularly related to cognition.
 Discuss how to incorporate this information into
practice.

3. Phytochemicals
 Plant-derived compounds
 Responsible for color, flavor and odor
 Disease protection
 Sources: fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, whole
grains, nuts, seeds, spices, tea, wine
(Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S, 2008), (Phytochemicals, 2016), (Webb D, 2013)

4. Potential Health Benefits
 Lower incidence of disease
 Antioxidant
 Hormonal action
 Enzyme stimulation
 Inhibit DNA replication
 Anti-bacterial effects
 Physical properties
(Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S, 2008), (Phytochemicals, 2016), (Webb D, 2013) , (Cancalon PF)

5. Neurodegenerative Conditions of Focus
 Parkinson’s disease
 Huntington’s disease
 Alzheimer’s disease
(Kelley GR, 2015), (Swierzewski SJ, 2015), (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016)

6. Aging and Cognition
 Oxidative stress and inflammation
 Domains most affected
 Attention
 Memory
 Affect brain and the development of
neurodegenerative diseases
 Alzheimer’s
 Parkinson’s
 Huntington’s
(Harada CN, 2014), (Harada CN, 2013), (Emory University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 2016), (Gilsky EL,
2007)

7. Phytochemicals and Cognition
 Exhibit neuroprotective effects
 Control oxidative damage
 Reverse cell damage, slow progression of neuron loss
 Influence neurotransmitter receptor function
(Kumar GP, 2012), (Kumar GP, 2012)

8. Types of Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals
Terpenoids
Titerpenoid
Saponin
Phenolic
compounds
Polyphenols
Flavonoids
Resveratrol
Catechins
Curcuminoid
Curcumin
Glucosinolates
Isothiocyanate
Sulforaphane
Indoles
Allicin
Allium

9. Phenols
 Neuron protection against oxidative and metabolic
stress
 Damage by 6-hydroxydopamine in rat model of Parkinson’s
disease
 Ischemia reperfusion injury in retinal neurons
 Neurotoxicity in Huntington’s disease models
 Phenolic compounds
 Flavonoids
 Resveratrol
 Catechins
 Curcuminoid
 Curcumin
(Kumar GP, 2012)

10. Flavonoids
 Can cross blood brain barrier
 Memory and learning improvement
 Neuron protection
 Stimulation of neuron regeneration
 Flavonoids and cognition
 Resveratrol
 Catechins
(Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S, 2008), (Spencer JP, 2009)

11. Resveratrol
 Foods
 Red grapes and wine, eucalyptus, blueberries,
peanuts, etc.
 Antioxidant activity
 Reduce oxidative stress
 Protection
 Against ischemic injury (neurons in the brain and spinal cord)
 Against metabolic stress (Parkinson’s model)
 Against death (neuronal cells, Alzheimer’s model)
 Reverse emotional and spatial cognitive defects (rat
model)
(Howes MJ, 2011), (Kumar GP, 2012), (Venkatesan R, 2015)

12. Catechins
 Catechins
 Foods
 Green tea, cocoa, blackberries, beans
 Slow progression of and protect neurons against Alzheimer’s
 Induce expression of cell-survival genes, anti-inflammatory,
up-regulation of antioxidant defense
 Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
 Acts as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor
 Reduces B-amyloid accumulation
(Kumar GP, 2012), (Chang X et al, 2015)

13. Curcumin
 Stroke
 Protect against ischemic cell death and ameliorate behavioral
deficits
 Prevention and treatment of
 Alzheimer’s
 Parkinson’s
 Stroke
 Depression
 Reverse chronic hippocampal neurogenesis
impairment
(Howes MJ, 2011), (Kumar GP, 2012)

14. Sulforaphane
 Foods
 Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cruciferous vegetables
 Stroke
 Reduces brain damage, brain edema, protects retinal integrity
 Protection
 Neurons against oxidative stress
 Dopaminergic neurons against mitochondrial toxins
(Kumar GP, 2012)

15. Others
 Terpenoids and Saponins
 Foods: soy, beans, garlic
 Learning and memory
 Allium and allicin
 Foods: onions, garlic, leeks
 Neuroprotection
(Kumar GP, 2012)

16. Other Possible Interventions
 Diet
 Mono- and polyunsaturated fats (omega 3s)
 Fiber
 Exercise
 Moderate alcohol consumption
 Medication
 Cognitive stimulation
 Chess
 Speaking multiple languages
(Life Extensions, 2016)

17. Recommendations
 Fruits and vegetables!
 Follow guidelines for minimum, encourage more
 5-9 servings daily
 Focus on variety
 Color your plate!
(Schaeffer J, 2008)

18. References
 Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Some Facts About Phytochemicals.
http://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/content/infosheets/fact-pro-phytochemical.pdf. Published
October 2008. Accessed March 17, 2016.
 Phytochemicals. Phytochemicals. http://www.phytochemicals.info/. Accessed March 17, 2016.
 Webb D. Phytochemicals’ Role in Good Health. Today’s Dietitian.
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/090313p70.shtml. Published September 2013.
Accessed March 17, 2016.
 Davinelli S, Sapere N, Zella D, Bracale R, Intrieri M, Scapagnini G. Pleiotropic protective effects
of phytochemicals in Alzheimer’s Disease. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:386527.
 Mythri RB, Bharath MM. Curcumin: a potential neuroprotective agent in Parkinson’s
disease.Curr Pharm Des. 2012;18(1):91-99.
 Howes MJ, Perry E. The role of phytochemicals in the treatment ad prevention of dementia.
Drugs Aging. 201128(6):439-68.
 Kumar GP, Khanum F. Neuroprotective potential of phytochemicals. Pharmacogn Rev.
2012;6(12):81-90.
 Cancalon PF. Brain and cognitive processes beneficial roles of
citrus.http://www.fdocgrower.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/CNS-and-cognition-comsec-
042011.pdf
 Alvarez-Parilla E, Gonzalez-Aguilar GA. Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry,
Nutritional Value and Stability. 2nd ed. City, State: Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.
 Harada CN, Natelson Love MC, Triebel K. Normal cognitive aging. Clin Geriatr Med.
2013;29(4):737-752.