Yeah, the poor grammar/writing at the end.... Not my fault.

1. Phytonutrients
• Which phytonutrients are associated with
improved heart health and CVD prevention?
• What are the mechanisms by which they act?
• What foods, spices and herbs do they come from?
• How much is needed daily/weekly?
• Are supplements effective, safe, cost-effective?

2. What is a
phytonutrient/phytochemical?
• Phytonutrients serve an immune function in
plants
• May decrease the risk of developing certain
cancers, diabetes, hypertension, and heart
disease when included in our diet
• Colorful fruits and vegetables are the best
sources for phytonutrients
• Various phytonutrients have different
functions

3. Divisions of phytonutrients
• Pigment compounds
• Organized by color groups: Red, White, Yellow/Orange, Blue/Purple, Green

4. Phytonutrients and Cardiovascular
Health
• Allicin- Garlic (White)
• Quercetin- Onions (White)
• Anthocyanins- Blueberries (Blue/Purple)
• Resveratrol- Red Grapes (Blue/Purple)

6. The “Cardio Phytonutrient Gap”
• “Prudent Intake”- recommended amount of a
phytonutrient
– determined by the average levels of phytonutrients
in a diet with the recommended amount of fruits
and vegetables
• According to America’s Phytonutrient Report[1]:
– 83% of Americans do not meet the PI level for
allicin and quercetin
– 76% do not meet the PI level for anthocyanidins
and resveratrol

7. • Organosulfur compound
• Demonstrates antibacterial, anticancerous,
hypolipidemic, and antiplatelet effects
• Cooking destroys allicin
• Sources: garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, chives
• ~4 mg allicin/clove garlic

8. • Possible mechanism:
– Reduces cholesterol levels[2]
• Reduces lipoproteins that transport triglycerides
– Prevents “platelet aggregation”, or clotting[3][4]
– Lowers blood pressure
– May reduce severity of atherosclerosis and fat
deposition
• PI: 0.85mg/day[1], 5.95 mg/week

9. • Used for treating conditions of the heart and
blood vessels, including atherosclerosis, high
cholesterol, heart disease, and circulation
problems[6]
• Flavonoid
• Sources: onions, apples, green and black teas
• Baking and ing onions increases amount of
quercetin
• Boiling decreases amount of quercetin

10. • Mechanism
– Lowers blood pressure
– Reduces risk of heart attack and stroke[8]
– Reduces LDL levels in blood
• Study done on overweight individuals, dose of
150mg/day[9]
– May protect against chronic inflammation
• PI: 17.9mg/day[1], 125.3 mg/week
• ~10 mg/medium-sized (150 g) apple

11. • Protects against cancer, heart disease,
Alzheimer’s, and diabetes[7]
• Stilbenoid
• Sources vary greatly in their concentrations of
resveratrol
– 0.24-1.25 mg/cup red grapes[11]
• PI: 8.2 mg/day, 57.4 mg/week

12. Resveratrol
• Possible mechanism:
– Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
– Inhibits proinflammatory agents
– Increases cellular antioxidants in smooth muscle
• Helps protect the vascular system from oxidative stress

13. Anthocyanins
• Commonly used for treating visual acuity and
treating circulatory disorders[5]
• Experimental evidence suggests they have anti-
inflammatory properties and are beneficial in
treating diabetes[5]
• Sources: Grapes, berries
• Can be cooked without degrading
• PI:22 mg/day[1], 154 mg/week
• 7.2 ± 0.5mg/gram of fresh blueberries[12]

14. Anthocyanins
• Possible Mechanism
– Lowers blood pressure
• Stimulates release of endothelial nitric oxide, which
dilates blood vessels
– Lowers cholesterol
– Reduce inflammatory response
– Inhibits oxidation of LDL’s
•  prevents atherosclerosis

15. Supplements
• Are phytonutrient supplements effective?
– Yes, they are effective however they are not quite as
effective as getting the nutrients naturally.
• Are they safe?
– Yes, phytonutrients are safe at suggested intake levels.
– Research is still being done to determine the long-
term effects of phytonutrients.
• Are they cost effective?
– Whether or not they are effective varies on the brand
you get however one brand that is consistently cost
effective is “PhytoNutrient Essentials”.

16. Resources
1.America’s Phytonutrient Report, Nutrilite Institute: http://www.nutrilite.com/en-
us/Media/APR%20Heart%20Health.pdf
2.Ried K, Frank OR, Stocks NP, Fakler P, Sullivan T. Effect of garlic on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-
analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2008;8:13.
3. Manaster Y, Shenkman B, Rosenberg N, Savion N. Allicin and disulfiram enhance platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3-
fibrinogen binding. Thromb Res 2009;124:477-482.
4. Hiyasat B, Sabha D, Grotzinger K, et al. Antiplatelet activity of Allium ursinum and Allium sativum. Pharmacology
2009;83:197-204.
5. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/ss01/anthocyanin.html
6. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-294-
QUERCETIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=294&activeIngredientName=QUERCETIN
7. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/resveratrol-supplements
8. Perez-Vizcaino F, Duarte J, Jimenez R, Santos-Buelga C, Osuna A. Antihypertensive effects of the flavonoid quercetin.
Pharma Reports 2009;61:67–75.
9. Egert S, Bosy-Westphal A, Seiberl J, et al. Quercetin reduces systolic blood pressure
and plasma oxidised low-density lipoprotein concentrations in overweight subjects with a high- cardiovascular disease
risk phenotype: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Br J Nutr 2009;30:1-10.
10. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/phytonutrient-supplement-9000.html
11. Higdon J, Drake VJ, Steward WP (May 2008). "Resveratrol".Micronutrient Information Center. Linus Pauling Institute.
12. The Change of Total Anthocyanins in Blueberries and Their Antioxidant Effect After Drying and Freezing
Virachnee Lohachoompol, George Srzednicki, John Craske
J Biomed Biotechnol. 2004 December 1; 2004(5): 248–252.