We all know how great fruits and vegetables are for our health. Well, some of them are better than others, and scientists have been researching exactly what it is from each item that benefits us and how. After sifting through the information from the mountain of studies published, here are a handful of the most interesting and powerful compounds from fruits and vegetables that can fend off disease.
Fruit Peel Compound
There is a compound found in fruit and vegetable peels called ursolic acid that reversed the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) in experiments with mice. The researchers that made this discovery used a purified form of the compound on mice who had already reached the chronic phase of the disease – when chronic tissue damage had already taken hold in the brain and the spinal cord resulting in paralysis. Twenty days following treatment, the mice regained the ability to walk, albeit not as well as before the disease set in.
Co-senior author Dr. Guang-Xian Zhang, Ph.D., who is Professor of Neuroscience at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, said:
It’s not a cure, but if we see a similar response in people, it would represent a significant change in the quality of life. And most significantly, it’s a reversal, which we really haven’t seen before with other agents at such a late stage of the disease.
Coconut Oil
Consuming coconut oil releases ketones in the body, which have powerful benefits for the brain. They keep neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy at bay. The fatty acids in coconut oil raise HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood, which has been found to improve metabolic health and a lower risk of heart disease. The flavonoids and polyphenols in coconut oil may reduce the oxidative stress involved in the cause of cancer. And, applying it onto dry skin can reduce the symptoms of eczema.
Mushroom Extracts
Ancient Romans considered mushrooms as the “food of the gods,” and the Chinese have treasured the food as an “elixir of life” for centuries. Medicinal mushrooms support the immune system to protect against infectious diseases and various cancers. They also reduce the risk of (or are used in the treatment of) Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, stroke, as well as to lower cholesterol to avoid heart disease.
These are the most potent medical mushrooms:
Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor)
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
Ginger
The use of ginger has been a remedy for hundreds of ailments from cancer to colds for thousands of years. It contains hundreds of compounds and metabolites. Studies show that ginger accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract and works its magic from there. Hence, why it’s super effective as an anti-nausea remedy and as a preventative measure for colon cancer.
Garlic Supplements
Consuming garlic supplements regularly reduces a person’s chances of catching a cold and recovering faster if infected.
Oregano Oil
Oil of oregano is good for respiratory health and is a popular alternative remedy for cold and flu symptoms. It possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. A couple of different studies found that oregano oil has strong antioxidant properties that can treat fevers and flu symptoms in people, and it can inhibit viruses in vitro.
Echinacea (Herbal) Extract
Echinacea, or purple coneflower, is used to treat various ailments, but most commonly, the cold or flu. It can also treat inflammation and pain. A test-tube study found that extracts from echinacea plants were able to kill human cancer cells (colon and pancreas) by stimulating apoptosis – a natural process of controlled cell death. However, no human studies have shown this to happen within the body, so it is not recommended as a form of treatment to cure cancer.
Conclusion
Proper nutrition is the fountain of youth. What matters most is that you eat things to reduce your risk of chronic disease and feel good in the process. Extracts like these listed above are simple to incorporate in your daily meal plans and barely require any work. They typically come in the form of oils, capsules, or powders to be incorporated into whatever you’re eating already or taken on their own.
