Phytochemicals: A New Paradigm

The phytochemical industry has entered a rapid growth phase internationally. Market demands are driving product development, while science tries to identify specific components that contribute health giving properties at physiological exposure levels. This book presents the findings of multidisciplinary research on the identification of active components in plant products and their possible physiologic benefits in the management or prevention of disease. Findings include: the latest epidemiological evidence on the association of fruits and vegetables and reduced risk of a variety of tumors; the role of tocotrienols in atherosclerosis and cancer prevention; the balance between known benefits and risks of free radical oxidation chemistry; metabolic pathways of carotenoids and their potential role in the prevention of cancer and age-related macular degeneration; a model for viewing interactions between phytochemicals. Also discussed are the potential applications for fungal components as food ingredients and supplement products and components of garlic and onions, including changes caused by processing of garlic nutritional supplements. A final chapter discusses developing claims for new phytochemical products.