Herbs, spices and cardiovascular disease 135
in their food to achieve the same objective. Consumption of the complex composition
of the crude herb or spice would seem to have a distinct advantage over the use of
single compound supplements.
8.6 Conclusions.....................................................................................
Herbs and spices have been used as sources of flavourings and medicines for thousands
of years and their use as flavourings continues today. Now the pharmaceutical industry
is interested in these plants as a source of pharmaceuticals, particularly for their
antioxidant value in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as
cardiovascular disease. One aim has been to isolate and identify single compounds
from individual herbs or spice plants so that the compound can then be marketed as
being of ‘natural’origin. However, examination of the effect of single plant based
compounds have not been as encouraging as the use of crude extracts. The difference
rests on the fact that the plant contains a very large number of potential anti-oxidants
that probably act synergistically. This is not surprising. In order to control the possibility
of excess solar energy damaging cell metabolism, evolution has ensured that plants
contain not one compound but a whole variety of compounds to achieve an anti-
oxidant effect. It is not surprising therefore that animals including ourselves who
depend on plants for food have co-evolved and have therefore the same requirement
for multiple anti-oxidants rather than a single one. The conclusion that can be drawn
from such an evolutionary view is that however commercially attractive and convenient
it might be to take a single compound supplement, it is more sensible and beneficial
to take a complex extract. It is far better to use the herbs and spices for their original
purpose, which is to enhance the flavour of our food and at the same time ensure that
we remain healthy on a balance of antioxidants.
8.7 References.......................................................................................
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