The Science Behind Healing with Food Colors, page 1

This thread is an addendum to my previous thread about healing with the colors of the chakras, namely : Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.

This is a reference chart with any of you who may be unfamiliar with the Hindu concept of Chakras..

Chakras, in some Hinduist traditions and other belief systems, are centers of Prāṇa, life force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. Texts and teachings present different numbers of chakras. Their name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning". The concept of chakra features in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. - Wikipedia

I thought I would start off the discussion with this quote from Wikipedia. Now, how is it possible to heal the body via colors? Well it's a little more in depth than that. Due to the phytochemicals that give fruits and vegetables their color, the color itself can be used as a guideline on what to use for what.

Let us start with the Root Chakra.

In my previous thread, I outlined how the Root Chakra(Red) governs physical fitness, and economic stability. The phytochemical responsible for this is phytofluene, lycopene and anthocyanins. Both are crucial chemicals in the mechanism behind the heavily touted raspberry ketones. Both work by boosting metabolism, and curbing appetite. Anthocyanin will also feature later in the section on the Throat Chakra. All three of these work well in burning fat, and losing extra baggage, or weight.

The next chakra would be the orange Sacral or Swadhisthana.

The location of Svadhisthana is just in front of the spine, in the sacral region, and its kshetram or activation point is in the pubic region. Being connected with the sense of taste, it is associated with the tongue, and being connected with reproduction, it is associated with the genitals. It is often associated with the endocrine organs of the testes or ovaries in men and women respectively. These produce the hormones testosterone or estrogen, which are important factors in sexual behaviour. These are also the locations the spermatoza or eggs are stored with their latent genetic information, like the latent samskaras that lie dormant within Swadhisthana.

Now more often than not, when you think orange, you would be reminded of course of Oranges, known for their Vitamin C content. Many athletes and body builders will take supplemental C, because it is known to boost Testosterone levels.

This works by lowering your cortisol levels, so that more testosterone. It also works by armostase enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen...Stress, and it's hormones, one being cortisol, can lower testosterone levels...Grapefruit is known for it's high Vitamin C content, and women on birth control are usually not allowed to eat it, because it is known to affect the efficacy of the pill. The spleen is also heavily affected by the use of orange fruits, and namely Vitamin C. Orange fruits and veggies also contain Beta & Alpha-carotene.

After the Sacral, there is the Navel or Manipura Chakra.

It is associated with the power of fire, and digestion. It is also associated with the sense of sight, and the action of movement. Manipura is "the center of etheric-psychic intuition: a vague or non-specific, sensual sense of knowing; a vague sense of size, shape, and intent of being." As such, some psychics recommend "listening" to it since it may help in making better decisions in one's life on many different levels.

I will first address the link of the Manipura being "the center of etheric-physic intuition". This often manifests as your 'gut' feeling that something may be wrong, or just isn't right. Things are not as they should be. The Manipura is also associate with digestion, as drawn from the quote.

Now cheese, banana's, and other yellow fruits and veggies are known to affect the digestion...For instance, my father's girlfriend loves banana's, however if she doesn't take her morning stomach pill, she can't eat them...The key factor here is their high level of flavanoid content.

Flavonoids changes when metabolized into metabolites. In their metabolite form, they often have a lower antioxidant activity, reports the Linus Pauling Institute. Instead, flavonoids appear to have some control over cell-signaling pathways, including those responsible for releasing enzymes into the body. In fact, an article published in the May 2008 "Journal of Medicinal Chemistry" explains that certain flavonoids may inhibit the release of a-amylase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down starch into sugar. With less amylase in your system, the digestion of carbohydrates could slow, thereby lessening the sharp increase in blood glucose typically seen after a meal.

Another key factor, particularly in Banana's is their high levels of potassium. This is also known to regulate the digestion, particularly in patient's with Crohn's disease, due to mal-absorption of it in their digestive tract.

A potassium deficiency can negatively affect your digestion and other bodily functions as well. It often leads to a condition known as hypokalemia, defined as having too little potassium in your blood. Common symptoms include weakness, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, a lack of energy and an irregular heartbeat. It is typically the result of too much potassium being lost through your urine or feces, rather than a lack of the mineral in your diet. This condition can endanger your life, and you should seek medical attention to correct it. Read more: www.livestrong.com...

After Manipura, or yellow, would be Green, or the Heart chakra.

Anahata chakra symbolizes the consciousness of love, empathy, selflessness and devotion. On the psychic level, this center of force inspires the human being to love, be compassionate, altruistic, devoted and to accept the things that happen in a divine way.

Anahata is said to be located near the region of the heart. Because of its association with touch, it is associated with the skin, and because of its association with actions of the hands, it is associated with the hands. In the endocrine system, Anahata is supposedly associated with the thymus gland, located in the chest.

Green fruits and vegetables contain Vitamins E & K. Vitamin K is what regulates the clotting factor of your blood, which is pumped throughout the body by the heart, and Vitamin E acts as an anti-oxidant and blood platelet aggregation inhibitor... It should be noted that the Vitamin K2 form, menaquinone, is useful in the treatment of heart disease like Atherosclerosis, by removing the built up calcium which helps to form the plaque in the arteries, back into the teeth and bones...This could also be an indicator of an underlying parathyroid condition, due to the parathyroid stimulating hormone, causing your teeth and bones to release calcium.

There are countless documented articles about the health benefits of both Vitamin K2 and Vitamin E on the heart.

Vitamin E also increases the expression of two enzymes that suppress arachidonic acid metabolism, thereby increasing the release of prostacyclin from the endothelium, which, in turn, dilates blood vessels and inhibits platelet aggregation. - NHI

Chlorophyll, is the phytochemical behind the leafy and natural green color of these fruits and vegetables. Chlorophyll plays a big role in preventing, and treating cardiovascular heart disease, and works closely with Lutein.

As for the little blood clots that are the final cause of a stroke or heart attack, Doctors Lopez, Williams & Miehlke (all M.D.'s) report in Enzymes, the Fountain of Life (Neville Press, Charleston, SC, 1994): "the Enzyme Research Institute has demonstrated in countless double-blind studies ... that oral enzyme mixtures are able to dissolve the little clots referred to as microthrombi and normalize the blood flow equilibrium." (ch.14) Sprouts are the ultimate "oral enzyme mixture" – with billions of enzymes dancing in synergistic harmony, as only Mother Nature knows how.

Lutein, like beta-carotene, is in a class of nutrients called carotenoids. There is some evidence that lutein supplementation may help prevent macular degeneration, the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly. In a three-part study involving humans, artery cell samples and mice, researchers studied the impact of lutein on atherosclerosis in carotid (neck) arteries. Carotid artery thickness is an indication of atherosclerosis throughout the body. Atherosclerosis is the disease that leads to most heart attacks and strokes. In one part of the study, researchers studied 480 men and women, ages 40 to 60, who were part of the Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study and had no history of heart disease. The thickness of their carotid arteries and plasma levels of lutein were measured at baseline and 18 months later. The individuals in the highest quintile of blood levels of lutein had just a 0.004-millimeter (mm) increase in carotid artery thickness. For those in the lowest quintile, carotid artery thickness increased an average of 0.021 mm. In the laboratory portion of the study, researchers examined inner layer wall linings of human carotid arteries removed during surgery. They found that artery layers pretreated with lutein were less likely to attract monocytes, or white blood cells, which oxidize low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol. Oxidized LDL in the artery wall is a major cause of atherosclerosis. The higher the lutein dose, the less interaction between LDL and monocytes. In the mouse study, researchers found that mice given lutein supplementation had 43 percent smaller atherosclerotic lesions than mice that were not given lutein.

From these findings, the authors suggest that increased dietary intake of lutein may protect against the development of early atherosclerosis. The study may also help explain why diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This study and others failed to find a beneficial effect of beta-carotene. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals eat a variety of foods with emphasis on vegetables and fruits.

Next is the blue Throat chakra, or Vishuddha.

This chakra is correlated with the Thyroid gland; which if you haven't read my previous thread on Iodine and the Thyroid gland, I highly recommend you do so. The thyroid is important in regulating the metabolism and energy conservation/consumption of the body, among other things.

This is where the anthocyanins I mentioned earlier, as well as a little known chemical called reservatrol, both of which can be found in significant quantities in blueberries.

Resveratrol, the naturally occurring polyphenolic compound characterized by anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic properties, appears to contribute substantially to cardioprotection and cancer-prevention. In addition, resveratrol is believed to regulate several biological processes, mainly metabolism and aging, by modulating the mammalian silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) of the sirtuin family. Resveratrol may arrest, among various tumors, cell growth in both papillary and follicular thyroid cancer by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway as well as increase of p53 and its phosphorylation. Finally, resveratrol also influences thyroid function by enhancing iodide trapping and, by increasing TSH secretion via activation of sirtuins and the phosphatidylinositol- 4-phosphate 5 kinase γ (PIP5Kγ) pathway, positively affects metabolism.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Reservatrol increases the activity of protein, and amino-acid L-Tyrosine, used in conjunction with Iodine(de), in producing the triiodothyronine, and thyroxine hormones of the Thyroid gland. Anthocyanin is partially responsible for the blueish hue to the fruit, and the higher the content of anthocyanin, the darker the fruit, which is why it is also found in the next categories of Indigo, and Violet.

Another key component found beneficial in blueberries, to the Thyroid gland, is ellagic acid. It is part of the phytonutrients group tannins, and exhibits remarkably strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Tannins, are also a remarkable nutrient that exhibit, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-parasitic effects.

It is believed that tannins isolated from the stem bark of Myracrodruon urundeuva may have neuroprotective functions capable of reversing 6-hydroxydopamine-induced toxicity. The plant has shown promise as a potential therapeutic agent, which may be beneficial in patients with neurological disease. Souza et al. discovered that the tannins isolated from the stem bark also have anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activity in rodents, showing a strong antioxidant property with possible therapeutic applications.

The next chakra would be Indigo, or the Brow Chakra; otherwise known as the Third Eye Chakra.

Ajna is associated with the third eye on the forehead. It is sometimes associated with the pineal gland, and sometimes with the pituitary gland. The pineal gland is actually related to a light sensitive 'third eye' (Parietal eye) found in some lizards, amphibians and fish, and regulates the circadian rhythms, while the pituitary gland is considered as the master gland of all endocrine glands, whose secretions control all the other endocrine glands.

To many, including myself, this is one of the most important ones...This chakra shares a strong correlation between the effects of it's fruit and vegetables with the Vishuddha, and the final chakra; the Crown, most being capable of used interchangeably.

The constant in these, would be their anthocyanin content, as mentioned in the Throat Chakra section. While reddish, and pink fruits/vegetables may also contain the chemical; generally speaking, the darker the hue, the higher the anthocyanin content. Flavanoids and flavanols both play a big factor as well as Vitamin A.

A good example of this would be bilberries...Which would technically speaking, be considered to have more of an indigo, than blue hue to them. Bilberries are touted for their role in improving eyesight.

Bilberries and blueberries have both been used as traditional medicine, however bilberry has been shown to be far more effective by modern scientific and clinical investigations. This is due to the fact that bilberries contain a significantly higher concentration of the active substances anthocyanins (a form of isoflavonoids) than blueberries, along with a higher antioxidant potential. Anthocyanins, associated with the rich pigment colour in bilberries, have attracted much scientific investigation into their health benefits. The antioxidant properties of bilberry, as measured by its oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), was higher than for blueberries corresponding to the amount of anthocyanins. To date, there is evidence that anthocyanins reduce cell damage caused by oxidative stress, while protecting cardiovascular function, and possessing anti-inflammatory properties. For eye health, bilberry provides many protective effects against vision impairments and blindness.

This would be a good place to mention carrots, and their original color of a deep indigo to violet color. Carrots are often attributed to enhancing eyesight, and was added to the diet of WWII RAF pilots; a fact that was originally attributed to bilberries; this is due to their Vitamin A content.

Often associated with improvement of night vision, bilberries are mentioned in a popular story of World War II RAF pilots consuming bilberry jam to sharpen vision for night missions. However, a recent study[5] by the U.S. Navy found no such effect and origins of the RAF story cannot be found.[6] After the introduction of radar, RAF bombing became more accurately targeted, but to confuse the enemy, the story was leaked that it "was something in the pilots' diet" that improved their targeting - that something, however, was carrots, not bilberries, and the story was concocted merely to keep the Germans from knowing the real reason for improved accuracy.

Anthocyanins are the largest group of water-soluble pigments in the plant kingdom, known collectively as flavonoids. More than 8000 flavonoids, and 500 anthocyanin structures had been reported by the year 2000 and more are continually being isolated. Anthocyanins are believed to display an array of beneficial actions on human health and well-being. Due to our increasing understanding and awareness of the potential beneficial human health effects, research on anthocyanins has recently intensified. During the past two decades an increasing number of studies have investigated the diverse protective effects elicited by polyphenolics present in various fruits and vegetables. These effects include antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antiproliferative, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, protection from cardiovascular damage and allergy, microcirculation improvement, peripheral capillary fragility prevention, diabetes prevention, and vision improvement. Other physiological effects are continually being investigated. The aim of the present article is to summarise the known anti-diabetic and eye function properties of anthocyanins to help in our understanding of their functional mechanism.

The above is more on the effects of anthocyanins; while this next portion will be dedicated to the little known passion fruit.

Fresh passion fruit, is high in beta-carotene(metabolizes to Vitamin A), potassium, and dietary fiber. The fruit also contains lycopene; which is widely known for it's benefits to eyesight.

When it comes to eye health, the research is limited, but because of Lycopene being closely related other carotenoids, it is often used to support eye health. The carotenoid family helps protect against oxidative damage (free radicals) in many parts of the body, but more so in the eyes. It has been shown that people with higher blood levels of carotenoids have a decreased incidence of conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Lycopene is a natural pigment, a nutrient classified as a carotenoid, which your body can convert into vitamin A. One possible benefit of lycopene is the antioxidant nature of this pigment, and this and other components of lycopene may lead to many health benefits, such as preventing heart disease and certain types of cancer. Lycopene may also have a role in helping to reduce your risk of macular degeneration, but this nutrient cannot reverse damage or improve vision loss that results from the condition.--Read more: www.livestrong.com...

Lycopene is most commonly found in the 'Reds' category, which shares a relationship with the BIV's.

Lastly, we come to the violet or Crown Chakra.

Sahasrara is related to the crown of the head. It is sometimes related to the pineal gland and sometimes to the pituitary gland.

There is a very strong relationship, more so than between the other chakra's, between the previously mentioned Brow, and Crown chakra.

Phenols, are one of the most dominant phytonutrient(chemical's) that give violet fruits and vegetables their color. Plums are high in their phenol content, and are great for boosting depression through serotonin.

Serotonin: A phenolic amine neurotransmitter (C10H12N2O) that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found especially in the brain, blood serum and gastric membranes of mammals. Considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration

Betalains, also found in Violet fruits and veggies, are known to protect cells against oxidative stress and damage, most importantly brain cells...

Betalains & betacyanins are also important for protecting and boosting cognitive function.

Betacyanins from Portulaca oleracea helped ameliorate cognition deficits in mice.

Eggplants are also a key superfood for brain performance and maintenance.

Research on eggplant has focused on an anthocyanin phytonutrient found in eggplant skin called nasunin. Nasunin is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage. In animal studies, nasunin has been found to protect the lipids (fats) in brain cell membranes. Cell membranes are almost entirely composed of lipids and are responsible for protecting the cell from free radicals, letting nutrients in and wastes out, and receiving instructions from messenger molecules that tell the cell which activities it should perform.

Researchers at the US Agricultural Service in Beltsville, Maryland, have found that eggplants are rich sources of phenolic compounds that function as antioxidants. Plants form such compounds to protect themselves against oxidative stress from exposure to the elements, as well as from infection by bacteria and fungi. The good news concerning eggplant is that the predominant phenolic compound found in all varieties tested is chlorogenic acid, which is one of the most potent free radical scavengers found in plant tissues. Benefits attributed to chlorogenic acid include antimutagenic (anti-cancer), antimicrobial, anti-LDL (bad cholesterol) and antiviral activities. ARS researchers studied seven eggplant cultivars grown commercially in the U.S. and a diverse collection of exotic and wild eggplants from other counties. In addition to chlorogenic acid, they found 13 other phenolic acids present at significantly varying levels in the commercial cultivars, although chlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in all of them. Black Magic—a commercial eggplant cultivar representative of U.S. market types—was found to have nearly three times the amount of antioxidant phenolics as the other eggplant cultivars that were studied. In addition to their nutritive potential, the phenolic acids in eggplant are responsible for some eggplants' bitter taste and the browing that results when their flesh is cut. An enzyme called polyphenol oxidase triggers a phenolic reaction that produces brown pigments. Scientists have begun work on developing eggplant cultivars with an optimal balance of phenolics to ensure both optimal nutritional value and pleasing taste.

Chlorogenic acid, a compound found in eggplants also show signs of boosting cognitive function, mood, and brain performance.

Chlorogenic acids found in coffee may also: Improve brain performance and mental health (13) Reduce oxidative stress, body fat, and energy uptake, while also boosting glutathione, your body’s primary antioxidant and toxin-scavenger. Ultimately, the extract may reduce DNA damage and yield anti-aging properties (14; 15) Reduce blood pressure, although the research evidence is still inconclusive (16; 17; 18). The proposed blood pressure-lowering effect may be a result of 5-quinoyl quinic acid as well as other chlorogenic acids found in green coffee bean. Scientists also have shown that the higher the dose of green coffee bean extract given, the more profoundly that blood pressure may be lowered. (19; 20; 21). Offer anti-cancer properties, and like similar plant chemicals, may keep cancer cells from metastasizing into new areas of the body (22).

It is any wonder whether Science is finally catching up with knowledge that has existed in the shadows for thousands of years...This really brings back memories of the food pyramid scheme when we were children...I myself feel as if there may be some time of conspiracy behind this scheme; imagine a world, where perfect diets are balanced around this very same color scheme....With the science to back it, I think we may see the day when concepts of Hinduism are finally given the credit they deserve...Until the corruption of the Almighty dollar no longer exists, I think it may be on us to push for the truth movement...

Just how much did the ancients know?

Signing off until next time;

Verily Veritas

reply to post by VeritasAequitas

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Wanted to take a moment to update this thread with a little more information that I neglected to include in my first post.

Lycopene -

Lycopene (from the New Latin word lycopersicum, referring to the tomato species) is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, red bell peppers, watermelons, gac, and papayas (but not strawberries or cherries).[1] Although lycopene is chemically a carotene, it has no vitamin A activity.[2] In plants, algae, and other photosynthetic organisms, lycopene is an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of many carotenoids, including beta carotene, responsible for yellow, orange or red pigmentation, photosynthesis, and photo-protection. Like all carotenoids, lycopene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon (an unsubstituted alkene).

Structurally, it is a tetraterpene assembled from eight isoprene units, composed entirely of carbon and hydrogen, and is insoluble in water. Lycopene's eleven conjugated double bonds give it its deep red color and are responsible for its antioxidant activity. Due to its strong color and non-toxicity, lycopene is a useful food coloring (registered as E160d) and is approved for usage in the USA,[3] Australia and New Zealand (registered as 160d)[4] and the EU.[5]

Lycopene is not an essential nutrient for humans, but is commonly found in the diet, mainly from dishes prepared from tomatoes. When absorbed from the stomach, lycopene is transported in the blood by various lipoproteins and accumulates in the liver, adrenal glands, and testes. Because preliminary research has shown an inverse correlation between consumption of tomatoes and cancer risk, lycopene has been considered a potential agent for prevention of some types of cancers, particularly prostate cancer.[2] However, this area of research and the relationship with prostate cancer have been deemed insufficient of evidence for health claim approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (see below under Antioxidant properties and potential health benefits).

Phytofluene is also another important piece of the Red's.

It has been shown that Phytofluene actually absorbs UV light, and can protect against skin cancer.

Carotenoids are suitable photoprotectants, and beta-carotene supplements are used for protection against ultraviolet (UV) light-induced erythema. Protective effects are also observed when carotenoids are provided with the diet. Here, we investigated the photoprotective effects of synthetic lycopene in comparison with a tomato extract (Lyc-o-Mato) and a drink containing solubilized Lyc-o-Mato (Lyc-o-Guard-Drink). With these different sources, the volunteers ingested similar amounts of lycopene (about 10 mg/day). After 12 weeks of supplementation, significant increases in lycopene serum levels and total skin carotenoids were observed in all groups. Significant increases in the serum levels of phytofluene and phytoene occurred in the Lyc-o-Mato and the Lyc-o-Guard-Drink group. At weeks 0, 4, and 12 an erythema was induced with a solar light simulator. Dorsal skin of each subject was irradiated with 1.25 minimal erythemal dose (MED).

Reddening of the skin was evaluated before and 24 hours after irradiation by chromametry and expressed as positive a-values (red/green-axis). delta a-values (difference of a-value before irradiation and after 24 hours) were used as an index of erythema intensity. A decrease in the delta a-value from week 0 to week 12, indicating prevention of erythema formation, was observed in all groups. Compared to week 0, the delta a-value at week 12 was 25% lower in the synthetic lycopene group. The protective effect was more pronounced in the Lyc-o-Mato (38%) and Lyc-o-Guard-Drink (48%) groups. In the two latter groups, phytofluene and phytoene may have contributed to protection. Both of these carotenoids exhibit absorption maxima at wavelengths of UV light. Absorption of UV light protects skin from photodamage and might explain the differences observed between groups.

Red apples also contain the largest amounts of the tannin, procyanidins.

This information[which?] attracted the attention of public news media, describing that red wine consumption is associated with favorable intake of health-promoting flavonoids that correlate positively with oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). In red wines, total oligomeric procyanidin content, including flavan-3-ols (catechins), was substantially higher (177.18 ± 96.06 mg/L) than that in white wines (8.75 ± 4.53 mg/L). A relative high correlation in red wines was found between ORAC values and malvidin compounds (r = 0.75, P < 0.10), and procyanidins (r = 0.87, P < 0.05).[20] In white wines, a significant correlation was found between the trimeric procyanidin fraction and peroxyl radical scavenging values (r = 0.86, P < 0.10). A moderate drink (1 drink per day, about 140 mL) of red wine, or white wine, or wine made from highbush blueberry corresponded to an intake of 2.04 ± 0.81 mmol of TE (Trolox equivalents), 0.47 ± 0.15 mmol of TE, and 2.42 ± 0.88 mmol of TE of ORAC/day, respectively.[20][21]

Procyanidins are the principal vasoactive polyphenols in red wine that are linked to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and to lower overall mortality.[22] Procyanidins are present at higher concentrations in wines from areas of southwestern France and Sardinia, which are associated with increased longevity in the population. Earlier studies that attributed this health benefit to resveratrol were premature because of the negligible amount of resveratrol in red wine. Procyanidins suppress production of a protein endothelin-1 that constricts blood vessels.[22] These studies provide data supporting the French Paradox that hypothesizes that intake of procyanidins and other flavonoids from regular consumption of red wines prevents occurrence of a higher disease rate (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes) in French citizens on high-fat diets.[22] Procyanidins have antioxidant activity and they play a role in the stabilization of collagen and maintenance of elastin — two critical proteins in connective tissue that support organs, joints, blood vessels, and muscle. Possibly because of their effects on blood vessels, procyanidins have been reported in double-blind research to reduce the duration of edema after face-lift surgery from 15.9 to 11.5 days.[citation needed] In preliminary research, procyanidins were reported to have anti-mutagenic activity (i.e., to prevent chromosomal mutations).[citation needed] Common antioxidants currently used are vitamin C and vitamin E; however, studies show that procyanidins antioxidant capabilities are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E.[23]

Procyanidins found in French maritime pine bark and grape seed extract work directly to help strengthen all the blood vessels and improve the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Procyanidins also have an affinity for cell membranes, providing nutritional support to reduce capillary permeability and fragility.[citation needed] Although flavonoids are widespread in nature, the powerful procyanidin compounds are most abundant and available from the bark of the maritime pine and in grape seeds, or pips.

In addition, the particular procyanidins found in the proprietary extract of maritime pine bark called Pycnogenol have been shown to optimize the production of nitric oxide in the artery walls so as to relax them and allow greater blood flow and reduced pressure.[24] Additionally, this same preparation, Pycnogenol, has been found to normalize platelet adhesion (aggregation) so as to facilitate normal blood flow.[25] Nevertheless, meta-analysis of clinical studies on Pycnogenol(®) published in 2012 concluded:

Procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, is used in a method for the reduction of appetite in a mammal. Preferably procyanidin is administered to the mammal in a dosage of between 0.5 and 100 mg per kg bodyweight. Also shown is a process for the manufacture of a composition for oral administration.

I mentioned in my first thread concerning the possible correlation of healing with chakra colors, that eating 3 red apples a day before every meal, would help to curb appetite and boost weight loss efficiency.

A nutritional composition suitable for reducing appetite, a method for the treatment and/or prevention of overweight and a method for the reduction of a mammalian appetite. The weight reduction and/or appetite reduction is achieved by administration of procyanidin and a flavonoid selected from the group consisting of chrysin, flavone, precursors of these flavonoids that are convertible into the one of these flavonoids by gastrointestinal hydrolytic cleavage and mixtures thereof. ...

Procyanidins are also beneficial in the treatment of coronary heart disease, as the antioxidant potency is 20x that of Vitamin C, and 50x that of Vitamin E.

Another crucial component of the oranges, are beta & alpha carotene, these can be metabolized into Vitamin A. Carrots that have the highest amount of alpha & beta carotene are used by athletes and body builders for building muscle and boosting testosterone.

Higher levels of alpha carotene specifically, have been linked to a decreased risk of death.

α-Carotene is a form of carotene with a β-ring at one end and an ε-ring at the other. It is the second most common form of carotene.

Dietary intake affects blood levels of α-carotene which was associated with significantly lower risk of death, in one study.

The following vegetables are rich in alpha-carotene[1] :
Yellow-orange vegetables : Carrots (the main source for US adults), Sweet potatoes, Pumpkin, Winter squash
Dark-green vegetables : Broccoli, Green beans, Green peas, Spinach, Turnips greens, Collards, Leaf lettuce, Avocado

Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants. The most common carotenoids in North American diets are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin are provitamin A carotenoids, meaning they can be converted by the body to retinol (vitamin A). Lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene have no vitamin A activity.

Adult rat Leydig cells, purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation, were used to determine the effect of retinol and retinoic acid on steroidogenesis. It was found that both retinoic acid and retinol stimulated testosterone production.

Abundant animal research indicates the importance of vitamin A to the production of testosterone. Vitamin A crosses the blood-testis barrier in its alcohol form as retinol, where it is stored in the Sertoli cells and converted as needed to its more biologically active form, retinoic acid. Experiments with rats show that greater concentrations of vitamin A in the testes increase basal testosterone secretion, as well as transferrin, which is responsible for the transport of iron; and a variety of growth factors including IGF-binding protein 4 (which transports IGF), androgen-binding protein (which transports androgens), transforming growth factor-beta (which causes cell growth but suppresses cancer) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (which is responsible for the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria for its conversion to steroids). Vitamin A also decreases estrogen production in the male testes.

Rats that are deficient in vitamin A experience decreased testosterone until the accessory sex organs atrophy, indicating that vitamin A not only aids in, but is essential to, testosterone production.1 One experiment using guinea pigs, which corroborates the many experiments done with rats, found a decrease in plasma testosterone associated with a deficiency in vitamin A.2 A human study comparing the dietary intakes of 155 pairs of male twins found a correlation between testosterone levels and vitamin A intake.3 The most compelling study is one that assigned 102 teenage boys with short stature and delayed puberty into four groups: a control, a testosterone-supplemented group, a vitamin A- and iron-supplemented group, and a group that received both testosterone and the nutritional supplementation. All treatments were effective in inducing growth and puberty, whereas the control group did not gain weight or begin puberty in the same period of time. What is most amazing is that the degree of growth acceleration was similar in the testosterone-treated group and the vitamin A-treated group.

Pubertal onset occurred in 9-12 months in the testosterone group, and by 12 months in the vitamin-A group.4 This study suggests two things. The first is that the growth problems these boys experienced could have been avoided if their parents only had known the importance of serving a meal with liver on a weekly basis, as liver is very rich in both vitamin A and iron. The second is that, with equivalent hard work and dedication, athletes and body builders may be able to achieve similar results from their training by taking high-vitamin cod liver oil and eating foods rich in vitamin A on a regular basis as others receive from the common practice of supplementing with testosterone precursors.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are also important for Yellow's due to their role in the absorption of dietary fat.

Carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble substances, and as such require the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. Consequently, your carotenoid status may be impaired by a diet that is extremely low in fat or if you have a medical condition that causes a reduction in the ability to absorb dietary fat such as pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn's disease, celiac sprue, cystic fibrosis, surgical removal of part or all of the stomach, gall bladder disease, and liver disease. Due to low consumption of fruits and vegetables, many adolescents and young adults do not take in enough carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin.

In addition, if you smoke cigarettes and/or drink alcohol, you may have lower than normal blood levels of carotenoids. Statistically speaking, smokers and drinkers eat fewer foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Also, researchers suspect that cigarette smoke destroys carotenoids.

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