1. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a sub-group of vitamins, including Beta-carotene (a form of Vitamin A) and Vitamins E and C, that help eliminate harmful substances called free radicals from your body. Free radicals (which are sometimes referred to as "toxins") are a normal by-product of metabolism; however, if they remain in your body too long, they become "oxidized" and damage body cells resulting in plaque buildup on artery walls or cancer. Anti-oxidants save the day by intercepting this process, thereby preventing oxidation and the harmful effects and diseases that go along with it.

Food Sources: carrots, citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, bell peppers, melon, papaya, apricots, peaches, spinach, broccoli

2. B- Vitamins
B- Vitamins are a super group of vitamins including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, B-6 and B-12. While all B-vitamins play a vital role in health promotion, Folic Acid, B-6 and B-12 in particular have been getting press lately for their ability to lower blood levels of "homocysteine." Some researchers believe high levels of homocysteine may be as much of a risk factor for heart disease as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Food Sources: bananas, melon, broccoli, spinach, kale, citrus fruit, asparagus

3. Minerals
Minerals are yet another subcategory in the vast world of nutrients. Plant foods are particularly high in the minerals potassium and magnesium. Recent research has found that these two nutrients may play a strong role in lowering blood pressure and preventing heart disease.

Food Sources: Potassium - bananas, asparagus, citrus fruits, broccoli, beets, tomatoes, spinach, melons, strawberries. Magnesium - bananas, figs, lima beans, raisins, spinach, dark leafy greens

4. Fiber
Fiber is the part of plant foods that leaves your body undigested. There are two types Soluble and Insoluble. Soluble fiber protects against diabetes and heart disease by controlling blood sugar and lowering cholesterol. Insoluble fiber helps prevent gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and some intestinal diseases. Most high fiber foods contain both types, although one type usually dominates.

Food Sources: Soluble fiber - peas, oranges, prunes, broccoli, and carrots. Insoluble fiber - fruit and vegetable skin, cauliflower, and green beans.

5. Phytochemicals
Phytochemical is a term that simply means plant chemical. This enormous group of nutrients is a fairly recent discovery; however, thousands have been identified already. "Lycopene", "lutein", and "isoflavones" are all common phytochemicals you may have heard about due to their disease fighting properties. At this point phytochemicals are so that new we're not really sure how they work.

Food Sources: All Fruits and vegetables.

The important take home message here it that there are too many nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that any supplement could ever replace. It's literally impossible to put them all in one pill, especially since so many are still being discovered everyday. So what do you do? You know the answer...EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!!

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