Medicinal food

Foods that, as such, may act on different diseases should be grouped into "medical food". Its activity is due to chemical compounds present in plants that have specific activities and allow different degrees of healing activity, prevention, decrease  damage or even cure a disease. 

The main active chemical substances are: beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, betaglucan, insoluble fiber, mucilage, whole grains fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, Omega 3, conjugated linoleic acid, antocyanidins, catechins, epicatechin and procyanidins, flavanons, quercetin, kaempherol or myricetin, proanthocyanidins, sulforafane and other isothiocyanates, caffeic and ferulic acids, stanols, sugar alcohols, prebiotics, dadzein and genistein, lignans, alicin, ditioltiones, and so on. 

A key feature is that its activity is attained with the consumption of normal quantities of food, provided a healthy diet. 

Carrots and various fruits (orange, kiwi. apple, cherry) contain beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that can damage cells and enhances their antioxidant defenses. 

Cabbage, kale, spinach, blueberries, plums, avocado, kiwi, grapes, citrus, corn, eggs, contain lutein and zeaxanthin that may help to maintain healthy vision, both for its antioxidant activity and by its direct activity on macular cells. 

Tomatoes contain lycopene and derivatives with antiinflammatory properties, seen on benign prostatic hyperplasia control, anti-oxidant properties that prevent macular degeneration and visual loss, and also it may reduce some types of tumors incidence, such as prostate cancer. 

Oat bran, oatmeal and barley contain a complex sugars type  substance fiber, beta glucan, that can reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the absorption of bile salts and hence the formation of cholesterol by at least 5% (at a rate of about 3 grams daily). 

Wheat bran and other vegetables contain insoluble fiber which may contribute to maintain the digestive tract health, promoting intestinal transit by increasing the tract content volume. 

Zaragatona or psillium seed contains a large amount of soluble fiber, a mucilage, which has the ability to absorb large amounts of water and thereafter increase in size, producing a feeling of satiety and acts as a medicine decreasing appetite. 

Whole grain cereals promote a slower digestion therefore lowering blood glucose levels. Recent research suggests that some molecules naturally present in these plants have anti-tumor properties. They also contain phytoestrogens, phytic acid,

phenolic compounds and inhibitors of the enzymatic activity. Whole grains are also rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E, and nutrients with beneficial effects on antioxidant systems, such as selenium. 

Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids, whose continued consumption lowers cholesterol blood levels, with an additional benefit, since it has been demonstrated that increases HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI levels, achieving an antiatherogenic role. 

Hazelnuts and linseed oil containing polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega 3 type. The most striking and clearly demonstrated activity is the lowering of triglycerides levels and decreased VLDL synthesis by the liver. The main source are fish and seafood. 

Beef. sheep and some dairy products contain conjugated linoleic acid that has shown to have important properties.It lowers cholesterol in a similar way to Omega 3, it stimulates the immune system and could act on allergy and cancer situations, eg breast tumors. A possible effect on body fat, although very promoted, has not yet been fully demonstrated. 

Blueberries, cherries, blueberries and red grapes contain antocyanidins, flavonoids with significant antioxidant properties. Injunctions are attributed to some digestive enzymes, which collaborate in the control of type 2 diabetes mellitus of obesity. They appear to enhance neuronal function and memory, improve the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, reduce blood capillaries fragility (important in fluid retention) and varicose veins, strengthen collagen, important for skin and tissues rejuvenation and to have anti-inflammatory properties, which are usually medicated for sports injuries and pain. 

Tea, cocoa, apples, grapes contain catechins, epicatechin and procyanidins, flavonoids with the capacity to modify the body's reaction to allergens, viruses, and carcinogens. The fruits, vegetables, tea or red wine beneficial effects have been attributed to those flavonoid compounds. 

The citrus fruits contain flavanones that neutralize free radicals, and are related to  of blood vessels and bones health, cancer control, allergies prevention, inflammation reduction, and show certain anti-microbial activity. 

Onions, apples, tea, broccoli contain flavonols, quercetin, kaempherol and myricetin with antioxidant activity that protect blood vessels and prevent some types of tumors (ie pancreas). 

Blackberries, chocolat, apples, strawberries, grapes, wine, peanuts, cinnamon are a source of proanthocyanidins, important to treat chronic venous insufficiency, associated with varicose veins and hemorrhoids. This activity is mainly due to blood vessel walls colagen and elastin strengthening. Other alleged actions, they combat wrinkles, they are antioxidants, they prevent atheromas and reduce joints inflammation. 

Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, radish and other plants contain sulforafane and other isotiocianates that are able to suppress tumors development blocking the enzymes responsible for one of the process phases. 

Apple, pears, citrus, some other vegetables, coffee, chocolate and tea contain phenols and phenolic derivatives, including caffeic and ferulic acids. They have important antioxidant properties, controlling cholesterol oxidation and improving eye sight. There is some evidence of cancer protection. These acids also protect skin from UV rays. 

Corn, soybeans, wheat, contain stanols, free sterols that reduce cholesterol intestinal absorption leading to a reduction of blood cholesterol levels. 

Many plants sugars are alcohols, as xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, are used as sweeteners, with fewer adverse effects than refined sugar. The risk of dental caries can also be reduced. 

The so-called prebiotics, as dietary fiber inulin (roots, tubers and roots of chicory, dandelion, yacon), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (chicory, artichokes, asparagus, garlic, onion, tomatoes or bananas among others) improve the intestinal transit and the microbial balance in the intestinal tract, are non-digestible substances fermented in the lower intestine. 

Soy contains genistein and dadzeina, phytoestrogens, compounds that seem to prevent cancer by many mechanisms, including inhibition of angiogenesis, a crucial aspect in new blood vessels formation needed for tumors growth and spread. Their best known property is the hormonal balance regulation in menopausic women. Also they maintain bone balance and the nervous system functions. 

Flax, rye and some vegetables contain lignans, insoluble fiber that can lower cholesterol levels and stimulate the inmmune system. 

Beans or soybeans contain a protein that has been shown to reduce levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, maintaining levels of HDL cholesterol. 

Garlic, onion and leek contain allicin that is transformed into sulfo and thiols as diallyl sulfide, allyl methyl trisulfide, in blood react with red blood cells, causing a drop in blood pressure and blood viscosity. The activity of garlic on cholesterol levels and other properties was already mentioned. 

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts contain ditioltiones that contribute to proper immune system functions. 

The list is extensive and if our readers ask for, the list could be expanded and treated more extensively on each of the cases mentioned.