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Optimal nutrition: fibre and phytochemicals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

Ian Rowland
Ian Rowland*
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
*
Corresponding author: Professor Ian Rowland, fax + 44 (0)1265 323023, email i.rowland@ulst.ac.uk
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Abstract

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There is currently intense research interest in secondary plant metabolites because of their potential preventative effects on the chronic diseases of Western societies, especially cardiovascular disease and cancer. To date most of the research has focused on the identification of plant-derived substances and their potential protective effects against specific chronic diseases. The important issue of determining the optimal intake of those substances, such that the beneficial effects are maximized without manifestation of adverse effects, has yet to be addressed in most cases. Furthermore, there are no specific functional markers that can be used to assess optimal intake, although it may be possible to use biomarkers such as serum cholesterol if the rest of the diet is strictly controlled. The present review discusses a wide range of substances associated with plants, including dietary fibre, resistant starch, oligosaccharides, phyto-oestrogens, phytosterols, flavonoids, terpenes and isothiocyanates, and attempts where possible to indicate optimal intakes and to suggest functional markers.

Keywords

PhytochemicalsSecondary plant metabolitesHeart diseaseCancer
Type
‘Optimal nutrition’
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 58 , Issue 2 , May 1999 , pp. 415 - 419
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1999

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