A key to health and longevity after 40
Polyphenols are among the most fascinating bioactive compounds in our diet and play a crucial role in the prevention of age-related diseases. They are mainly found in plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables, tea and cocoa and are particularly well known for their powerful antioxidant properties. However, the importance of these substances goes far beyond their antioxidant effect. In recent years, scientific research has increasingly recognized that not only the polyphenols themselves, but especially their metabolites - the smaller molecules that are formed in the body after consuming polyphenols - play a crucial role in promoting our health and slowing down the ageing process.
Polyphenols and their metabolites: More than just antioxidants
Polyphenols are plant compounds that originally serve to protect plants from predators and UV radiation. They act as natural colorants and contribute to the resistance of plants. For humans, however, they have a much deeper significance. When we consume polyphenol-rich foods, these substances in our intestines, where they are converted by the microbiota (our gut flora) into smaller molecules called metabolites. It is these metabolites that provide the greatest health benefits by aiding the absorption of nutrients, reducing inflammatory processes and lowering the risk of chronic disease.
Research shows that polyphenols and their metabolites have a direct effect on various organs in the body, in particular the Brain, where they can help to reduce oxidative stress - an important factor in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Polyphenols also support the cellular energy production and promote the Mitochondrial function, which leads to better physical performance and a slower ageing process.
Polyphenols and ageing: a protective mechanism against age-related diseases
One focus of research on polyphenols is their ability to slow down ageing and prevent age-related diseases. Oxidative stress, which is caused by free radicals, plays a central role in the development of many age-related diseases, including Cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and Cancer diseases. Polyphenols act as powerful antioxidants that combat this damaging effect. The metabolites of polyphenols in particular, which are formed after conversion in the intestine, have proven to be extremely effective as they repair cells at a molecular level and slow down the ageing process.
The importance of a plant-based diet for polyphenols
The health-promoting effects of polyphenols are most evident in a diet rich in plant-based foods. Plants not only provide polyphenols, but also fiber, which is essential for healthy intestinal flora. A balanced, plant-rich diet ensures that the intestinal bacteria can optimally convert the polyphenols into their metabolites. This fiber is also important as it serves as a food source for the good intestinal bacteria and thus promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids and other health-promoting substances that have a variety of positive effects on the body.
Science is increasingly showing that a Holistic plant-based diet offers far more benefits than isolated supplements containing single polyphenols. Eating a wide range of plant foods such as berries, green vegetables, nuts and legumes provides a comprehensive supply of a variety of polyphenols, which in combination enhance their health-promoting properties.
New developments in polyphenol research: fermented plant substances and Regulat essences
An exciting new development in polyphenol research is the use of fermented plant substances. One example of this is Regulat Essences - a fermented food supplement obtained from 36 different Mediterranean plants. The fermentation process produces numerous valuable metabolites that are similar to those produced in the human intestine. In initial animal experiments, including with the model organism C. elegans (threadworm), it was shown that the administration of these essences extended the life of the worms. Positive results were also obtained in mice, demonstrating a significant prolongation of life through the administration of these fermented plant substances.
Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi and yoghurt have been part of the human diet for hundreds of years and are known for their positive effects on intestinal health. Modern scientific studies now confirm that fermentation not only increases the bioavailability of nutrients, but also facilitates the absorption of polyphenols and their metabolites in the body. Fermented plant substances therefore offer a promising method of maximizing the potential of polyphenols for health.
Conclusion: Polyphenols as the key to health and longevity
Polyphenols and their metabolites play a crucial role in the prevention of age-related diseases and the promotion of general health. Especially for people over 40 who are facing the first signs of aging, polyphenols can provide valuable support. A diet rich in plant-based foods, fiber and fermented products provides the best foundation to benefit from these protective compounds and positively influence the aging process. In the future, the targeted use of fermented food supplements such as Regulat Essences could be another promising method of supporting health into old age.
About Dr. med. Andreas Bernhardt:
Dr. Bernhardt is a specialist in general internal medicine with international training in endocrinology and better aging. He is a member of the Swiss Anti-Aging Society (SSAAMP) and the renowned Endocrine Society (Washington, D.C.). His focus is on bioidentical hormone therapy: Biohormones in men during the andropause. As well as in women going through the menopause, where the Bioidentical hormone therapy the cycle can influence. Dr. Bernhardt writes a Blog on the topic of biohormones. As an expert on the German-speaking platform wechselweise.net he is committed to raising awareness in the DACH region about hormonal changes in men and women during the menopause - with the aim of promoting health and quality of life in the long term.