 Functional Foods
What they are and how they can help you
Functional Foods are foods or other components of the diet that may provide the body with a benefit beyond nutrition.
Functional foods take many forms, from simple berries to fortified or enhanced foods.
Biologically active components in functional foods provide health benefits or desirable physiological effects including the reduction of inflammation, enhancement of the immune system, and reduction of cholesterol levels. Whereas drugs tend to treat symptoms, functional foods usually treat the condition that causes the symptoms.
Functional foods may be divided into two primary categories:
those that are in their natural state, such as blueberries
and flaxseed, and those that have been specially formulated
to provide one or more specific health benefits, such as green
foods and the biostructural medicine, Recovery.
Knowing which foods provide specific health benefits can help you take greater control of your health through the food choices you make. The following functional foods help alleviate pain by inhibiting the process of inflammation:
GREEN TEA
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a rich source of substances known as polyphenols. (Red wine is another source of these healthful compounds.) Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that suppress the activity of the Cox-2 enzyme. However, they achieve this effect through protecting the cell membranes, preventing the release of Cox-2. Prescription Cox-2 inhibitors work to block existing Cox-2, resulting in the negative side-effects explained in Painkillers 101.
In a recent study conducted at Sheffield University, Dr. David Buttle was able to confirm that the two compounds found in green tea EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), and ECG (epicatechin gallate) can help prevent osteoarthritis by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
Green tea has also been shown to cut the risk of heart attack,
stroke, and certain cancers, particularly those of the mouth
and upper gastro-intestinal tract. To obtain the many benefits
of green tea, you may either drink two or more cups every
day, or take it in supplementary form. Nutricol, for example,
is a potent blending of plant polyphenols from green tea and
red grapes (resveratrol). Currently, the only supplement on
the market that contains Nutricol is Recovery.
RED GRAPES
 Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phenolic antioxidant found in a wide variety of plants, but especially in red grapes. It helps blood vessels to remain open and pliable and also discourages blood platelets from clumping together. In the past few years, studies have shown that resveratrol blocks the cell inflammation linked to arthritis and other painful degenerative diseases.
Researchers have recently concluded that resveratrol blocks the activation of the Cox-2 gene (the gene that activates the Cox-2 enzyme). This functional food is the first identified that both blocks the Cox-2 gene from being activated and inactivates the enzyme created by this gene. Some researchers believe that resveratrol may some day be viewed as an improvement over ASA (acetylsalicylic acid or Aspirin®) in fighting diseases associated with Cox-2 activity. To gain these benefits, either eat a few red grapes every day or take a supplement containing resveratrol.
BERRIES
 Berries
are veritable powerhouses of healthful compounds. Brightly
coloured berries are particularly rich in antioxidants that
protect the body's cells against free radical action. Blackberries,
raspberries, blueberries and cranberries are all excellent
sources of antioxidants that help offset the damage that leads
to cellular breakdown and release of inflammatory substances.
In addition to protecting the cells and curbing inflammation, berries support the cardiovascular system and may help protect against certain cancers. Blueberries have been in the news recently as they contain a substance called pterostilbene that appears to lower cholesterol as effectively as the commonly prescribed cholesterolreducing drug, ciprofibrate. (It is unknown at this time, just how many blueberries one has to consume to achieve this benefit.)
You can derive all the benefits of berries by regularly eating a variety of berries and/or drinking berry juices. You might also invest in a whole blueberry supplement such as Purica® Healthfood Rx Daily Wellness Formula.
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