The Role of Phytochemicals in The Management of Lifestyle Disorders.

Abstract:

Phytochemicals are natural chemical constituents or bioactive compounds found in medicinal plants, aromatic plants, vegetables, fruits, leaves, flowers and roots which work in conjunction with nutrients and dietary fibers to act as defense against diseases and slow the aging process. The medicinal values of plants lie in these phytochemicals abilities to produce definite physiological action on the human body. A variety of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides and steroids present in plants and their products are key factors in the treatment of several disorders including lifestyle disorders. Lifestyle disorders also known as non-communicable diseases are conditions associated with the way people live and behaved. According to World Health Organization (WHO) facts sheets, lifestyle disorders like Obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases account for 59 percent of the 56.5 million deaths annually and 45.9 percent of the global burden of disease (WHO, 2021). This review introduced and identifies various phytochemicals reported with beneficial effects or role and their functional classification or subclasses that have been identified to help prevent diseases associated with lifestyle changes.