Are you at Risk of Phytonutrient Deficiency?
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a recent report found that 8 out of 10 Americans are not getting enough phytonutrients in their diet.
Why does this matter?
Because phytonutrients are quickly becoming some of the most recommended nutrients for health and longevity.
There is a growing body of evidence to support the theory that phytonutrients can offer significant health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, decreased inflammation, immune system support, cholesterol maintenance, bone health, tumor reduction, and cancer prevention.
What are phytonutrients?
These are nutrients found in plants (such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts) that function as the plant’s built-in defense system. Over time, these compounds have developed to protect the plant from the various external threats of its surrounding environment and human cannot produce these phytochemicals on our own.
How much should you be getting?
These nutrients are not “essential” for life, so no federal dietary guidelines for intake have been established, but the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association both recommend that you incorporate a wide variety of these phytonutrient sources every day.
If the layers of the cell wall are too thick to break down, or the nutrient content is too small to be recognized, the nutrient passes through the digestion process without being absorbed. In this case, phytonutrients may require specialized extraction methods to facilitate bioavailability. These nutrient extracts can be very beneficial, but it's important to make sure that the extraction process itself doesn't harm or diminish the nutrient quality. Phyto-thermal extraction patented by IGC is a high quality method that ensures nutrient potency without the use of harsh chemicals or solvents.