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Plants get their colors, smells, and flavors from phytonutrients. Phytonutrients can be found in vegetables, fruits, teas, grains and seeds. Generally fruits and vegetables that have bright colors, strong flavors and smells have the most phytonutrients.

Phytonutrients differ from vitamins because phytonutrients are not technically “nutrients”. Nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Without nutrients your body will soon die of a nutritional deficiency. If you do not have phytonutrients in your diet you will not die of a nutritional deficiency. There are a sizable amount of chronic disorders that you have a much better chance of dying from or at least suffering from.

There is no question phytonutrients are important organic compounds your body needs. They nourish your cells and are powerful antitoxins that help your body use nutrients. They may someday be the most important group of organic compounds used to treat and prevent disease. Researchers are studying how these compounds may protect cells from damage, enhance the function of the immune system, and reduce the risk of a considerable quantity of chronic ailments, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Different phytonutrients work in different ways and the same phytonutrient can work in different ways on different people. There is still much research to be done. There are several thousand compounds that plants make other than carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, that may have beneficial effects on the body. Only a few hundred have been researched, and begun to be understood.

The best way to get your phytonutrients in the proportion that nature intends is to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, soy and nuts. Don’t forget the green and black teas, they will stain your teeth but you will be giving your body a dose of flavonoids. Your body will thank you.

Phytonutrients are classified by their chemical structure. Their classification is vast and growing, it can be mind boggling. To make things simple here is a short list of some of the common classes:

Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Isoflavones, Inositol, Phosphates, Phytoestrogens, Isothiocyanates, Phenols, Saponins, Sulfides, and Terpenes.

Sneezing and Coughing all night long? You could have an Allergy to Down Comforters.

Many people have allergies and don’t have any idea why they have them. They may know that they feel badly and that they have suffered attacks at times, but they really don’t know what they are suffering from.

Without seeing your allergist and being tested, it is most difficult to determine the source of your allergies and how to treat it. It is almost impossible without the help of a specialist. Chances are, if your allergy comes at night and you sleep under a down comforter, you have an allergy to your comforter. Like most people, this thought never entered your mind.

Get Tested By a Certified Allergist

While lying in your bed at night, you begin coughing, sneezing, and worse symptoms also come, it could be literally any number of things causing you such discomfort.

If you have plants in your bedroom, it may also be cause by those. Having an allergist test you is the only certain way you will learn what your allergy is and if you are really allergic to your down comforter.

If your budget will not allow you to go to the allergist right now, try switching bed covers for a few nights. If you replace your comforter with a bed spread, and you awake with no allergy symptoms, then you may have an allergy to down comforters.

The allergy to down comforters is from the down feathers that make the down so soft. This down isn’t only found in comforters, it is also found in pillows and other things made for the bed to be designed to be soft as possible.

All is Not Lost You can Still be Comfortable at Night

If after replacing your down comforter you don’t experience any allergic reactions, then you probably have an allergy to down comforters. You don’t however; have to suffer with uncomfortable bed clothes.

People like down comforters because they are really soft. You may be disappointed at first, that yours is not the down one, but, with time, you will get used to yours. It is far better to live without that allergy that your comforter was creating for you. Keep a positive outlook, you can enjoy the comfort without worry of the affects your other comforter was giving you.