In the first half of the last century the Naturopathy[1], represented essentially by Adrian Vander, Sebastian Kneip, Kuhne, Nicolas Capo, Ferrandiz, Pierre Marssechau, Gregoire Jauvais, and by the Portuguese Indiveri Colucci and José Lyon de Castro, It advocated the use of foods in human Therapeutics, indicating the reasons for its practical application in almost entirely empirical bases, But while still denote some details that we currently consider with any scientific basis. These authors-researchers actually denote this discipline of Naturopathy from Trofologia, in its study and trofoterapia on its practical application to human pathology.
At that time the Nutrition (Nutricionism) just studying the food towards analytical and nutritional purposes or purposes is, just worrying about the required amounts of nutrients and calories to maintain in a good state of health of the human being, What are you still doing fundamentally, worrying however now a little more with the possibilities of use of some foods in restoring health in some cases of illness.
Emerging for these forms of study and use a new food chain approach, over the past twenty years in particular to associate the analytical study on the holistic perspective of trofologia (trofoterapy) of naturopaths of the classical period, eventually stand currently with all the credit that technology and science are able to assign to them if it's rational and planned way, using methodologies of intense biochemical research of foods associated with regular and rigorous research in laboratory animals and in clinical studies quite closely related to the use in research of drugs.
In this way we are currently faced with the rebirth of a scientific discipline which aims at the practical application of food declared disease situations, and the bearer of new knowledge that little by little, If you're making sometimes surprising revelations, and that is entirely deserving of being, How many times is already designated for food therapy[2], nutritional therapy[3], and that in our opinion wouldn't be so bad if I ever use the terminology Trofoterapia[4].
The dietary supplements have harvested, and will certainly have, enormous benefits from fast and sustained development of modern chemical sciences-biological discipline applied to human health. It's not so strange that many supplements appear in the market today, putting at the disposal of the concentrated and assayed shapes consumer of certain foodstuffs more or less common, for example concentrated extract of tomato, or even containing some isolated molecules, for example lycopene from tomatoes that are known to be able to contribute positively to the prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
In this enormous and rapid succession of events, some traditionally conservative minds intend to reach some conclusions and why try at all costs, contrary to the normal course of history, imposing unreasonable rules seeking to substantiate how scientific, in order to influence the political and legislative powers (especially in the European Union), in order to avoid that the food cannot be considered therapeutic therapy, Whereas feedingstuffs may not be marketed alluding to its properties of prevention and treatment [5]. As regards dietary supplements this situation ends up almost inhibit research and application of scientific knowledge to a branch in rapidly developing, that has always shown, long before the emergence of specific legislation, be able to contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases. It is therefore something irrational and little worthy of supposedly democratic values, governing the EU countries, you wish so pretentious and overbearing to prohibit the use of health claims in relation to some foods, and particularly as regards food supplements, that in fact there are only (and always existed) with this and for this purpose, Prevention and eventually contributing to the treatment of some diseases. Fortunately, However some recent European legislation appears to open doors to a new approach on this issue although quite restrictive.
There are however some significant differences between food (common foodstuffs) and food supplements as the actual text of Decree-Law 136 of 28 June 2003 makes it clear. So the dietary supplements are something that presents itself under the concentrated form and designed.
As a matter of fact, as I previously mentioned, the supplements, Although in some cases they can be made of raw materials on the basis of common foodstuffs, presented in its final form a greater concentration in virtue of placing of extractive processes raw materials with varying concentration capacities and possessing very similar intake forms, If not equal, those of medicines. So it is very common to see on the shelves of specialty stores, tablets, capsules, ampoules, dropper bottles, etc. All these forms of presentation are in the form designed[6], forcing even the law itself having in labelling "taking" represented quantitatively, and stressing that "taking must not be exceeded".
Sets out some of then some foods (common foodstuffs, they have also been used in concentrated form and designed as dietary supplements) whose studies and scientific research proves definitively that the appanage of the prevention and cure of diseases is not, nor can never find restricted to drugs (drugs). Note Although some of these foods are often represented among the dubbed medicinal plants, What also abona strongly in favor of the thesis non-restrictive use of medicinal plants in food supplements, and that these same supplements should enroll in its health claims labeling[7].
In Europe, with emphasis on Portugal its consumption reaches very high levels, being our country not only a great consumer, but also one of the major producers. The relevance of the tomato as regards dietary supplements are related to lycopene content. This substance is a carotenoid, and also exists in other vegetables such as watermelon, guava and certain grape varieties.
Lycopene has jumped to the forefront of research and application in food supplements, due to its physiological effects leading to prostate protection. This terminology is however very limited, and then let's see how this substance exists in large quantities in tomatoes may be of importance in human health and disease.
and then let's see how this substance exists in large quantities in tomatoes may be of importance in human health and disease, improving the oxidative stress caused by tobacco smoke, reducing in particular the peroxidation of low density lipoproteins, which may suggest a decreased risk of coronary heart disease.
Epidemiological studies and bioestatísticos revealed that intake of lycopene supplement decreases the risk of prostate cancer in particular, but also of the pancreas and stomach. Clinically observed that low plasma levels of lycopene were very frequent in women with cervical neoplasia and intraepithelial cervical neoplasia evil (cancer), suggesting a possible protection with high concentrations (After supplementation) lycopene.
There are no references on the toxicology of lycopene, and our experience of many years in the market of food supplements, using the isolated substance and/or very concentrated extracts of tomato leads us to conclude that lycopene is devoid of toxicity, even in dosages far above the referenced as having the benefits previously singled out.
This vegetable has the following well-known physiological activities and superiorly validated by huge suitable studies of truly scientific character: – Antioxidant activity, and its flavonoids antioxidants been considered in particular the Luteolin; – Beneficial activity on digestion reducing dyspepsia related disorders, loss of appetite and nausea; – Hepatoprotective action, protecting hepatocyte (hepatic cell) possible metabolic assaults in particular foodborne (poor diet and excess alcohol); – Action colerética, stimulating in the hepatocyte bile production dysfunctional that seems to owe a synergistic activity of its Bioflavonoids (in particular Luteolin and cynarin) and cafeoilquínicos acids; – Moderately diuretic type action. The artichoke as all the bile ducts and coleréticos should not be used in cases of bile duct obstruction.
The dried plant rasurada or powder and its extracts have excellent tolerance revealing complex atoxicity.
Some minor virtues of this fruit (Pyrus malus) in relation to the well-being and health of the digestive system, in particular the intestines, regulating your traffic and contributing to a better balance of the intestinal flora, especially due to its content of pectic substances, are well known.
Do not think however that these virtues called by us small, the are by itself. Turn out to be small, to the extent that the Apple has other "virtues" enough "greatest". But let's see; This vegetable has among other phytochemical substances known, high content in polyphenols, isoflavonóids, and some phenolic acids, promoting protection against aggressions when cellular DNA, assaults that can induce mutations leading to malignant neoplasms.
Several epidemiological studies carried out in the United States of America attended by 77000 women and 47000 men, concluded that the regular consumption of Apple (1 per day) reduced in 21% the risk of lung cancer, particularly in the female group. A study published in the journal "Nature" describes the treatment of colon cancer cells with Apple extracts.
Another study involving mice exposed to carcinogenic and fed with concentrated extract equivalent to 6 Apples daily during 24 weeks, proved a reduction of 44% the incidence of mammary tumors. The effects of juices and extracts from Apple about the cardiovascular system have also been well studied in recent ten years, in particular by inhibiting the oxidation of cholesterol component of low density lipoproteins and however to take into account that most of these effects are related to the simultaneous consumption of the fruit and the film that coats (the bark).
This so well known spice that the Portuguese navigators by the hand of the illuminated Garcia de Orta, trouxeram ao conhecimento dos europeus e que rapidamente adquiriu estatuto vegetal primordial na culinária, em especial na magnífica pastelaria conventual portuguesa, representa atualmente um recurso medicinal de grande evidência. Os seus benéficos efeitos sobre os processos digestivos em particular como secretagogo dos sucos digestivos portadores das necessárias enzimas para a correta digestão dos nutrientes (prótidos, lípidos e glúcidos), são sobejamente conhecidos.
Todavia nestes últimos cinco anos, investigação e posterior aplicação desta mesma investigação, concluí possuir a Cinnamon ceylanicum atividade de tipo hipoglicemiante, que se deve em particular a um grupo de substâncias fitoquímicas apelidados polímeros de metilhidroxicalcona. No entanto estes polímeros (associações de diversas moléculas metilhidroxicalcona em quantidades variáveis) parecem não exercer nenhuma atividade quando isoladas e purificadas a partir do extrato total do vegetal, sendo por isso de constatar que outras moléculas como o aldeído cinâmico e outras substancias aromáticas como o eugenol e o metileugenol, devam ser sinérgicas[1]daquela atividade hipoglicemiante.
[1] A este propósito ver artigo ”o totum vegetal”.
A Curcubita pepo or Curcubita maxima is a very popular food, used widely in making of soups and desserts.
Their seeds have been used by the popular traditional medicine for centuries, in particular as eliminadoras of intestinal worms.
Double-blind studies carried out during three months using dry extract prepared from the seeds of Curcubita significantly improve the clinical parameters of benign prostatic hypertrophy, including the urinary flow, the time of urination, the residual urine and urinary frequency, compared with the results obtained with placebo.
Used by the ancient Greeks, This vegetable was also well known by the ancient Chinese, Indians and Egyptians.
Pliny recommended it to improve vision. In the Middle Ages was the target of great looking as food flavoring. Fennel has been used not only in North America but also in Europe as flavouring of sweets and liqueurs, In addition to several other common foodstuffs. Its essential oil has also been used as a protector of fruits and vegetables stored in order to prevent infestations by fungi.
In beekeeping is considered a plant of special importance, to bee pasture, assigning a taste and smell very pleasant honey produced by them.
The fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), carminative activity has, drain accumulated gas in the intestines, and in particular in the stomach, by physiologically functioning of modular Cardia and pylorus. The reduction of meteorism and flatulence are particularly relevant in infants with eructation.
Some studies also point towards a lactation stimulant activity. Fennel has substances with some estrogen-like activity in particular polymers of anethole.
The use of insulated essential oil must respect the dosages, to the extent that the ingestion of high quantities can relieve some Toxicology something hepatic and produce photo-. However the sprayed and total extracts of the plant or seeds do not have any type of toxicity, even in dosages rather higher than those which produce the beneficial physiological effects.
Well-known vegetable of almost all of the world's population, the Allium sativum It was used by the ancient Egyptian civilization, though their properties described in inscriptions on the walls of the pyramid of Naly.
Used during the medieval period, in leprosy, the garlic was also used by native Americans in various situations, with particular relevance in cases of flatulence.
This aromatic bulb use almost mandatory in cooking has actually well-known nutritional virtues of the scientific intricacies, There are a lot of supporting bibliography.
For example as regards its activity on lipoproteins and hypercholesterolemia, point-if even a hypothetical but well-founded mechanism of action, inactivation of thiol-related enzymes (enzymes containing a group sulphide with Coenzyme a) and oxidation of NADPH (NICOTINAMIDE adenine dinucleotido phosphate), a Coenzyme that as the CoA is used in the synthesis of lipids. Despite the possible effects on platelet aggregation are not conclusive in varied studies, It was nevertheless proposed the mechanism of inhibition of platelet aggregation, by inhibition of thromboxane synthesis.
In some tests "in vitro”, the garlic oil inhibited platelet aggregation, through ADP-inductive (inhibition of induction of aggregation on the stage at which interferes with adenosine diphosphate), at a concentration above 10 mcmol/L plasma not. As regards the formation of thrombi by vascular damage, the experimental studies minimized the conditions of blood flow in small and medium caliber arteries by variation of blood speed.
Recent research has proven that the garlic oil has an intestinal behaviour modulator effect, particularly in intestinal hypermobility disorders in rats, having experimental models focused on reducing Gastric motility in 75%, After an intake of coal, and the inhibition of diarrhea induced with castor oil for more than three hours. Antiseptic and antibacterial effects of total extracts of garlic, are well substantiated in studies "in vitro”, about microorganisms Gram and Gram-.
Its antimicótic activity (ultra-violet fungi) It is also well documented by tests "in vitro”, in particular with regard to the candida.
[1] One of the modernly called unconventional therapies, that as a whole we prefer to designate for Naturopathy.
[2] Some authors refer to functional foods.
[3] Some authors refer to functional foods.
[4] "Trofo" (food; nurture) and "therapy" (of therapy; treat; cure).
[5] Some exaggerations have been made in the field of foods with health claims, and also the nutritional claims. The objective application of the existing rules should put an end to such excesses
[6] In reality there are today some foodstuffs in the form designed. In the case of some margarines and some yogurts (more or less fermented dairy drinks) containing fitoesterós and phytostanols in significant dosages and that reduce the assimilation of cholesterol. The status of these foodstuffs is different and, in our opinion, much more akin to that of food supplements.
[7] In this respect we must add that the position of the competent authorities in our country in the area of food supplements, is more flexible, consistent and as scientific revelations, being open to dialogue, in order to assign to this new legal status classification more in line with your own reality.
Authors > Eduardo Ribeiro, CEO scientist Department | Quality control| Research and Development- Biogal, Biologia de Portugal Lda.
> Virtue Pegacho, Research and development - BIOGAL, Biologia de Portugal Lda.
