Can the biological mechanisms of ageing be corrected by food supplementation. The concept of health care over sick care

Abstract

"From care for the sick to care for health" implies that age-related diseases and discomforts, which impair the quality of life, should be prevented rather than treated. Healthy lifestyle and nutrition, and hormone supplementation - when needed - are of crucial importance. Food supplementation with nutraceuticals composed of vitamins, oligo-minerals, plant extracts and essential amino- and fatty acids should reduce age-related oxidative and epigenetic damage to DNA, and inhibit inflammatory and metabolic impairment. This study of the potential beneficial effects of novel nutraceuticals on the biological mechanisms of physical and mental ageing suggests these supplements may be scientifically justified. In the absence of adverse side effects and the expected favourable effect on the quality-adjusted life years, the benefit over risk ratio of nutraceutical supplementation should be positive.

Keywords: Ageing; Momordica charantia; QALY; Rhodiola rosea; antioxidants; epigenetics; health; nutraceuticals; pine bark extract.