My husband won’t eat many fruits or vegetables.

Men's Health

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Q. Dear Terry, “My husband won’t eat many fruits or vegetables. I’ve tried cooking them different ways and putting them in smoothies, but he’s so stubborn. He will at least take a multivitamin every day. Is there anything else he should be taking?” – Claire M., Phoenix, AZ

A. Dear Claire, I applaud your efforts in encouraging your husband to eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain many beneficial compounds, including polyphenols. The name “polyphenols” is a broad term for many different healthy compounds. They are the natural compounds that give fruits, vegetables, rhizomes, roots, and flowering herbs their color and protect them from bacteria, insect damage, oxidative stress, and other threats.

In human diets, polyphenols act as anti-inflammatories, immune-boosters, and DNA-protectors – just to name a few of their attributes.

Ideally, our diets would include a lot of polyphenols with every meal. Experts estimate that we need at least 1,000 mg of polyphenols in our diets each day for optimal wellness. That’s why I think a supplemental regimen that includes consistent levels of standardized polyphenols is an excellent way to fill in any gaps that may be left behind by less-than-perfect diets.

A few of my favorite sources of polyphenols include: curcumin (from turmeric), oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs from French grape seed), propolis, apples, and green tea. These ingredients have wide-ranging health benefits for osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, heart disease, infection, weight management, cholesterol balance, and many others.

In my opinion, polyphenols are one of the best nutrients for a healthy aging process. I would take 500 mg of standardized polyphenols daily.

Healthy Regards!                           

Terry . . . Naturally