also known as Foods for Specific Helath Use (FOSHU)

control physical and mental conditions

they can aso be found in traditional food products (oil, tomatoes, vegetables, etc,)

compunds that are consituents that enhance fucntional foods and provice health benefits. They target mechanisims that manage/prevent or treat diseases.

individual compounds in plants that can have protective mechanisms agains enviromental insults

sources: green tea, grapes, red wine
benefits: anti cancer; CHD protective
function: inhibit chemical carcinogenesis and tumor formation, are antioxidants and inhibit cancer cell growth, etc.

sources: soybean, flaxseed
benefits: relieves menopausal symptoms, anti-cancer, CHD protective
functions: estrogen-like activity, stimulates calcium absorption, lower cholesterol levels, etc.

sources: plant oils
benefits: CHD protective
function: inhibits cholesterol absorption

sources: tomatoes, carrots, yams, cantaloupe, spinach, sweet potatoes, citrues fruits.
benefits: anti - cancer, CHD protective
functions: antioxidant, induction of cell-cell comunication and growth control, etc.

sources: flaxseed oil ,fish oil
benefits: CHD protective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory
function: lower triglycerides, affects eicosanoid production, inhibits platelet aggregation

sources: citruis fruits, vegetables
benefits: anti-cancer, CHD protective
functions: antioxidant, inhibits platelet aggregation, inhibits cancer cell growth and proliferation, etc.

functional foods do not cure or prevent disease by their own, they need to be combined with a healthy lifesyle.

they should never be used alone as a treatment