Why Should I Take A Phytonutrient Supplement?

A phytonutrient supplement is different from the average dietary supplement that contains vitamins and minerals. Phytonutrient supplements contain Isoflavones, flavonoids and carotenoids found in plants and soy products instead of specific vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. While we need vitamins and minerals in order to survive, phytonutrients are not essential but are thought the improve health and prevent many diseases.

You can eat 3-7 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, which is the best way to get the phytonutrients that benefit our health. But what if you’re on a calorie restricted diet, you are diabetic, or you travel a lot and don’t have easy access to those foods? In such cases phytonutrient supplements can give you all the benefits of these natural chemicals without having to actually eat the foods that contain them.

Phytonutrients are particularly important to people with arthritis, diabetes, and other chronic conditions or diseases; these conditions respond positively to the presence of phytonutrients in the system and can make chronic conditions more manageable and less painful.

For instance, if you have arthritis you should take a phytonutrient supplement to help relieve your pain and stiffness. Arthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage that cushions the joints as you move. When that cartilage is worn away by age or overuse the bones rub together, causing pain.

The muscles and remaining cartilage become inflamed and swollen, which contributes to the constant ache that plagues arthritis sufferers. The anti-inflammatory properties of phytonutrients can substantially reduce discomfort due to arthritis and help improve mobility.

If you have a form of cardiac disease you’ll want to ask your doctor about taking a phytonutrient supplement. The natural, beneficial plant-produced chemicals are thought to benefit and possibly help prevent heart disease, although studies have not yet been completed. The good thing about phytonutrients is that they are not harmful.

Another good reason to take phytonutrient supplements is that our fruits and vegetables are often treated with harmful chemicals and even genetically modified to increase yield.

No one knows what genetically modified foods will do to our brains and bodies a few decades from now but if you’d like to avoid the risk, phytonutrient supplements will help you control the influence of these potentially risky farming and food production methods.

Phytonutrient supplements usually come in the form of a pill or capsule but are also available as powders or liquids. If you don’t want to eat the actual plant foods to get important phytonutrients, you can get them in the form that is most convenient for you.

If you normally mix up a protein shake or smoothie every day you will find the powder form convenient or you might want to add it in liquid form. If you travel a lot or are constantly on the go with a busy job or a home full of children you’ll probably find the pills or capsules more convenient.

You can live a better quality of life and quite possibly a longer one when you take a phytonutrient supplement. You’ll feel better and generally be healthier even in cold and flu season when you take a phytonutrient supplement.