Foods that heal
there are food items that are considered to have anti-carcinogenic properties, anti-inflammatory properties, ‘brain foods’, etc.
Dog Knows : page 9, Chapter 1, Essay on Canine Nutrition
Can food have healing properties?
The scientific community is catching up to what has been a folk wisdom since the dawn of time – functional components of food can have a positive impact on one's health (Abuajah et al., 2015; Abuajah 2017; Rumana et al., 2017; Sikalidis, 2018; ). The earliest records of using plants or herbs to heal or prevent different ailments can be traced back to Egyptian hieroglyphics. The records show that they used over 700 different ones! And the knowledge of the healing power of plants was carried to the present. For example, turmeric is considered to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties, peppermint has been used to alleviate a wide variety of digestive problems, garlic is considered to improve circulation, among other things, thyme and sage are used for cough, bronchitis, laryngitis, and tonsillitis (Ramalingum and Mahomoodally, 2014).
The science now tries to explain the who, how and when of the food–health–individual connection (Kassem et al., 2023; Siddiqui and Moghadasian, 2020; Sikalidis, 2018; Tupas et al., 2023). But things are not as simple or straightforward as one might think. Eating healthy, nowadays for humans usually means a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, doesn't necessarily ensure a healthy life or better yet, a disease-free life. Nature vs nurture always enters this debate. Previous research on noncommunicable diseases, among which we can find cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic lung illnesses, shows that both factors play an important role. There are more than a thousand mutations that are responsible for disease occurrence in human beings (Tupas et al., 2023). Genetics, epigenetics, environmental factors, access to nutritious food, food intake and the fact that quality and quantity of the biologically active chemical constituents in medicinal foods can be affected by species differences, seasonal variations, environmental conditions, agricultural practices, postharvest handling, storage, manufacturing, inadvertent contamination, substitution, and intentional adulteration (Tupas et al., 2023; Ramalingum and Mahomoodally, 2014). They all play an important part in food – health – individual connection. There is also a risk of possible adverse effects when being used in combination with synthetic drugs (Ramalingum and Mahomoodally, 2014). It shows us how intricate this process is and that it's almost impossible to argue that there's a »one size fits all« diet that leads to health (Tupas et al., 2023; Donaldson 2004).
Keeping all of that in mind, let's look at different functional foods that have been studied because of their possible healing properties.
Foods with anti-carcinogenic properties
There is a consensus that around 30–40% of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and dietary measures. Food components are believed to affect almost all stages of cancer disease - from the start of the disease by gene mutation to controlling the progress and even prevention of cancer. Functional foods that are reported as having a beneficial impact on cancer prevention include selenium, folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, chlorophyll, and antioxidants such as carotenoids, among others (Donaldson, 2004). Below you can find a table with all the above-mentioned nutrients and examples of where to find them.
Nutrient | Dietary source |
α-Carotene | Yellow-orange and dark-green vegetables |
β-Carotene | Green leafy vegetables and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables |
Lycopene | Tomatoes, water melon, apricot, peaches |
Lutein | Dark green leafy vegetables |
β-Cryptoxanthin | Orange fruits |
Astaxanthin | Green algae, salmon, trout |
Canthaxanthin | Salmon, crustacea |
Fucoxanthin | Brown algae, heterokonts |
Isothiocyanates | Broccoli, cauliflower, kale |
Flavonoids | Synthesize in plants |
Probiotics | Yoghurt and fermented foods |
Phyto-estrogens (genistein and daidzein) | Soya and Phyto-estrogens Rich foods |
Fiber | In most foods (vegetable and cereals) |
Omega-3 | Fish or fish oil |
Source: Aghajanpour M, Nazer MR, Obeidavi Z, Akbari M, Ezati P, Kor NM: Functional foods and their role in cancer prevention and health promotion: a comprehensive review (2017)
Foods with anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is the body's defense system and it helps repair tissue. Acute inflammation is activated by infections, trauma, toxins or allergic reactions. The problem happens if the inflammation becomes chronic because it can lead to the development of different diseases like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, or cancer. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, spices, herbs, whole grains, and fish is more likely to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the link between diet, inflammation and disease outcomes is currently (scientifically) unclear. One thing that is constantly pointed out is, that we have to consume larger amounts of functional foods if we want them to act as anti-inflammatory. This means that the best and easiest way to achieve that is to incorporate different ingredients that are considered anti-inflammatory in the diet. So instead of looking at isolated nutrients, looking at combinations of foods might offer us a clearer picture (Stromsnes et al., 2021).
However, the following compounds that have been studied in vitro, in vivo, and/or in animal studies show promising anti-inflammatory properties: antioxidants, phytochemicals, polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids (Chi-Cheng and Gow-Chin, 2015; Stromsnes et al., 2021).
Omega 3 fatty acids (fatty fish, some nuts and seeds), phenolic compounds (found in plants, including fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, whole grains, and edible mushrooms) and terpenoids are considered the most important components in an anti-inflammatory diet (Stromsnes et al., 2021).
Brain foods
Brain foods are foods that are believed to help optimize mental performance (Ekstrand et al., 2021). What we eat can influence our brains in many ways, including regulating neurotransmitter pathways, synaptic transmission, membrane fluidity and signal-transduction pathways. Research shows that our lifestyle, including exercise, sleep and food has an important effect on our brains. Scientists now know that particular nutrients affect cognition via molecular or cellular processes that play a vital role in cognitive function (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008). However, (I feel I'm saying "however" a lot in this essay) the research into how food affects our brains is barely scratching the surface. As scientists still try to answer questions like what type, frequency and amount of nutrients constitute healthy brain food (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008), there is one other important thing we must not forget – brain health is not independent of »whole body« health. So everything we do that leads to good overall health will also have benefits for brain health (Ekstrand et al., 2021).
Below you can find a table with nutrients that have reported benefits on cognitive performance.
Nutrient | Dietary source |
Omega-3 fatty acids | Fish (salmon), flax seeds, krill, chia, kiwi fruit, butternuts, walnuts |
Curcumin | Turmeric |
Flavonoids | Cocoa, green tea, Ginkgo tree, citrus fruits, wine (higher in red wine), dark chocolate |
B vitamins | Various natural sources. Vitamin B12 is not available from plant products |
Vitamin D | Fish liver, fatty fish, mushrooms, fortified products, milk, soy milk, cereal grains |
Vitamin E | Asparagus, avocado, nuts, peanuts, olives, red palm oil, seeds, spinach, vegetable oils, wheatgerm |
Choline | Egg yolks, soy, beef, chicken, veal, turkey liver, lettuce |
Combination of vitamins (C, E, carotene) | Vitamin C: citrus fruits, several plants and vegetables, calf and beef liver. Vitamin E: see above |
Iron | Red meat, fish, poultry, lentils, beans |
Source: Gómez-Pinilla F. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function (2008)
In low and middle-income countries people still rely heavily on traditional medicine and natural remedies. Because natural remedies are generally regarded as safe they are quickly gaining popularity on global markets. These products that are advertised as natural alternatives for various diseases and illnesses resemble very little of the traditional use and application (Gerhard et al., 2018). One of the consequences of our desire to stay healthy is a very lucrative dietary supplement business, which reportedly reached 177.50 billion USD globally in 2023 ("Dietary Supplements Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Ingredient (Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics), By Form (Capsules, Gummies, Liquids), By End User, By Application, By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030"). But taking a dietary supplement may not be as innocent and risk-free as it might sound. The challenges include identification of the authentic source of raw materials, purity of the compound, presence of other active compounds, quality, lack of experimental evidence, false advertising, contamination with heavy metals, and interactions between supplements and drugs. It is not uncommon that the scientific research is misinterpreted or overstretched for commercial interests, some manufacturers also try to use a closely related herb, which may or may not have the active ingredients. Maintaining the quality is challenging as is since the chemicals derived from plants (also known as phytochemicals) vary greatly due to season and geographical location (Siddiqui and Moghadasian, 2020). The »eating clean« ideals can lead to rigid eating patterns, promoting unrealistic body standards, and contributing to the stigmatization of certain foods, instead of improving our well-being and leading to optimal health (Horovitz and Argyrides, 2023).
Before I started the research for this essay I had a very clear opinion on what the answer to the question posed in the title is. Now there is a big but after the initial yes. We have known for a very long time that some foods, plants, and herbs can have a healing component. But there seem to be so many variables that determine if something will have a healing or preventative effect that it is impossible to say with certainty how an individual will react to it. I feel certain about two things – one, being mindful of what we put on our plates and in the bowls of our furry companions is a great way to increase the quality of life, and well-being and enjoy the possible health benefits and two, doesn't mean we or our dogs will live a disease-free life.
Resources
Abuajah CI, Ogbonna AC, Osuji CM. Functional components and medicinal properties of food: a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2015 May;52(5):2522-9. doi: 10.1007/s13197-014-1396-5. Epub 2014 May 16. PMID: 25892752; PMCID: PMC4397330.
Abuajah, Christian. (2017). Functional Components and Medicinal Properties of Food. 10.1007/978-3-319-54528-8_39-1.
Chi-Cheng Lu, Gow-Chin Yen, Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity of functional foods, Current Opinion in Food Science, Volume 2, 2015, Pages 1-8, ISSN 2214-7993, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2014.11.002.
"Dietary Supplements Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Ingredient (Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics), By Form (Capsules, Gummies, Liquids), By End User, By Application, By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030." Grand View Research, www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dietary-supplements-market-report. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Donaldson MS. Nutrition and cancer: a review of the evidence for an anti-cancer diet. Nutr J. 2004 Oct 20;3:19. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-3-19. PMID: 15496224; PMCID: PMC526387.
Ekstrand B, Scheers N, Rasmussen MK, Young JF, Ross AB, Landberg R. Brain foods - the role of diet in brain performance and health. Nutr Rev. 2021 May 12;79(6):693-708. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa091. PMID: 32989449.
Gerhard Prinsloo, Noluyolo Nogemane, Renee Street, The use of plants containing genotoxic carcinogens as foods and medicine, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 116, Part B, 2018, Pages 27-39, ISSN 0278-6915, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.04.009.
Gómez-Pinilla F. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 Jul;9(7):568-78. doi: 10.1038/nrn2421. PMID: 18568016; PMCID: PMC2805706.
Horovitz O, Argyrides M. Orthorexia and Orthorexia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Examination of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Nutrients. 2023 Sep 3;15(17):3851. doi: 10.3390/nu15173851. PMID: 37686883; PMCID: PMC10490497.
Kassem NM, Abdelmegid YA, El-Sayed MK, Sayed RS, Abdel-Aalla MH, Kassem HA. Nutrigenomics and microbiome shaping the future of personalized medicine: a review article. J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2023 Nov 22;21(1):134. doi: 10.1186/s43141-023-00599-2. PMID: 37993702; PMCID: PMC10665279.
Ramalingum N, Mahomoodally MF. The therapeutic potential of medicinal foods. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2014;2014:354264. doi: 10.1155/2014/354264. Epub 2014 Apr 17. PMID: 24822061; PMCID: PMC4009199.
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Siddiqui RA, Moghadasian MH. Nutraceuticals and Nutrition Supplements: Challenges and Opportunities. Nutrients. 2020 May 29;12(6):1593. doi: 10.3390/nu12061593. PMID: 32485839; PMCID: PMC7352266.
Sikalidis, A. K. (2018). From Food for Survival to Food for Personalized Optimal Health: A Historical Perspective of How Food and Nutrition Gave Rise to Nutrigenomics. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 38(1), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2018.1481797
Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, Gambini J, Olaso-Gonzalez G. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Diet: Role in Healthy Aging. Biomedicines. 2021 Jul 30;9(8):922. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9080922. PMID: 34440125; PMCID: PMC8389628
Tupas, Genevieve & Capirig, Christian John & Roy, Moushami & Pathak, Akanksha. (2023). Nutrigenomics research: Methods and applications. 10.1016/B978-0-12-824412-8.00004-7.
About the author
Eva is a BACBED graduate from Slovenia. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with dog guardians who want to deepen and strengthen the relationship with their dogs. She knows first hand how difficult it can be living and trying to built a relationship with a traumatized and reactive dog. Her adopted, ex-hunting dog was the first to experience the BHARCS way Eva was learning through the BACBED diploma. She advocates for a compassionate, dog-centered approach as she truly believes that dogs are the experts on dogs and they can give us all the knowledge we need if we are ready to listen and observe. She has a soft spot for the "difficult", misunderstood dogs and it's her mission to equipt the carers with necessary knowledge to look past the labels. |
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