Fruit Flavonoids Act Synergistically With Others; Metabolism And Health Benefits Depend On Gut Flora!

While I am a little leery about recommending soy for regular consumption. It has been found that the soy compound genistein provides more health benefits when consumed with sulforaphane, a chemical in broccoli. Another food that has high amounts of genistein is strawberries. So one might get the same synergistic effects from eating strawberries and broccoli together.

Interestingly, I did find this one article that mentioned that metabolism of genistein is dependent on the gut microflora. So getting your gut in shape for the proper metabolism of flavanoids is important.
The author writes, "It was proved that intestinal microflora plays an important role in the metabolism and  bioavailability of isoflavones. It is considered that about 50% of Asians and 25% of nonAsians host the intestinal bacteria that convert daidzein into the isoflavonoid equol. Variation in individual metabolism of phytoestrogens due to differences in gut microlora might influence the serum concentration of phytoestrogens. It was found that the capacity to produce equol is higher among Japanese and Korean men than among American men. After an intake of 50 mg isolavone, the urinary excretion was 42% for daidzein and 16% for genistein.  " (1)



1) New Insights Regarding the Potential Health Benefits of Isoflavones (23 August 2017) by Corina Danciu, Diana Antal, Florina Ardelean, et al.

Antioxidant System Activators Resolve Intestinal Inflammation in Kidney Disease-Induced Colitis.

A recent study showed that kidney disease causes dysfunction in the intestinal tract by causing colitis. Upon application of a Nrf2 activator, resolution of the intestinal inflammation and restored epithelial tight junction proteins was found to occur. There are many Nrf2 activators that are in food, these foods include:


Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (contains phytonutrient sulphoraphane)

Coffee

Leafy greens such as kale, bok choy, cabbage

Red wine (contains resveratrol)

Tumeric/curcumin

Green and white eea

Chocolate

Blueberries and other red, black and purple berries.

Olive Oil

Garlic

Sage

Onions

Apples

Citrus fruits

Always, talk to a doctor about what you read and note, the information in this blog is not meant to be medical advice.




Role of Nrf2 Dysfunction in Uremia-Associated Intestinal Inflammation and Epithelial Barrier Disruption. Digestive diseases and sciences (16 November 2014) by Wei Ling L. Lau, Shu-Man M. Liu, Sogol Pahlevan, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13565842

Onion Phytonutrients Speed Up the Body's Antioxidant System

I recently posted how phytonutrients activate the body's NRF2 antioxidant system. When activated the NRF2 moves into the cell nucleus and transcribes DNA to produce a variety of antioxidants. The authors of a recent study describe how a mixture of sulphoraphane and quercetin, both of which are in onions, can speed up the activities of the NRF2. By using the mixture in a experimental supplement form, it took 80 minutes to activate the antioxidant system when it usually takes a 129 minutes. The scientists believe the impressive results of this study "will pave the way for new "superfoods"".

For Further Reading:
   Natural Foods that Activate the Body's Antioxidant Response Against Cellular Stress
   What is the NRF2 and Why is Food Better than Supplements?




Nrf2 Protein Finding Could Mean New Superfoods (11 September 2012) http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13564870