Imagine two situations: in one, you are dealing with a health problem that has already manifested itself – high blood pressure, joint inflammation, fatigue, impaired memory. In the other, you have invested in your health in advance – you regularly supplement your diet with functional supplements, support antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and your body has its defence mechanisms ready. Which of these approaches is more effective? Most experts would agree that prevention is wiser and often more cost-effective.
Interestingly, according to the WHO, up to 70% of chronic diseases are related to lifestyle and cumulative oxidative stress, yet only 20% of people over the age of 40 regularly use nutraceuticals or functional nutritional supplements. This means that most people invest more in material things than in their health, which is the only lasting asset they have for their entire life.
Many people still believe that health can only be maintained through medication. Medicines are irreplaceable in acute conditions – they reduce pain, regulate blood pressure or fight infection. Their effect is often immediate, targeting the elimination of visible symptoms, but they do not prevent further damage to cells or organs.
Nutraceuticals and functional supplements, on the other hand, work slowly, systematically and cumulatively. Their role is not to provide immediate relief from symptoms, but to support the body’s internal processes, protect cell structures, stimulate antioxidant pathways, balance inflammatory processes, support the intestinal microbiota and provide overall prevention against chronic diseases. The effect is subtle but effective.
Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals predominate in the body and there is a lack of antioxidants to neutralise them. Free radicals damage DNA, proteins and lipid membranes, leading to premature ageing, chronic inflammation, degenerative diseases and an increased risk of tumours. Research shows that elevated levels of oxidative stress markers correlate with telomere shortening, which is a direct indicator of the biological age of cells.
This is where nutraceuticals come into play. Sulforaphane, carnosine, coenzyme Q10 and polyphenols from blueberries or grape seeds can reduce oxidative stress, support natural antioxidant defences and minimise cell damage. This process is not dramatically visible on a daily basis, but the results are more resilient cells, better regeneration and slower ageing.
Sulforaphane, a bioactive compound found in broccoli sprouts, activates the Nrf2 pathway, which triggers the production of detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes, thereby protecting DNA and cells from damage. Carnosine neutralises free radicals and protects proteins from glycation damage, slowing down tissue degeneration and ageing processes. Coenzyme Q10 is essential for mitochondrial function, supporting cellular energy metabolism – crucial for the heart, brain and muscles. Polyphenols from blueberries and grape seeds protect the vascular endothelial surface, promote vascular elasticity and reduce oxidative inflammation, which is essential in the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
The intestines are the body’s largest immune organ, and after the age of 50, the diversity of the intestinal microbiota decreases, which weakens the immune system, nutrient metabolism and the barrier function of the intestine. Probiotics, such as Probio Flora, replenish beneficial bacterial strains, restore the balance of the intestinal ecosystem, promote nutrient absorption and reduce chronic inflammatory processes. A healthy microbiota is also associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.
The liver is the main detoxification organ, which loses some of its capacity with age. Milk thistle, containing silymarin, promotes liver cell regeneration and reduces oxidative stress. In combination with sulforaphane, a synergistic effect is achieved: sulforaphane activates detoxification enzymes, while milk thistle protects the structure of the liver and improves its regenerative capacity.
Coenzyme Q10 together with L-carnitine support cellular energy metabolism, improve heart function and reduce oxidative stress in the myocardium. Polyphenols from blueberries and grape seeds also protect the vascular endothelial surface and increase vascular elasticity, which is important in the prevention of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
After menopause in women and after the age of 60 in men, collagen production declines sharply, weakening bones, cartilage and skin. Bioactive collagen promotes tissue regeneration, improves joint mobility, relieves pain and contributes to healthy-looking skin. Supplementing vitamins D and K2 strengthens bone mass and supports overall musculoskeletal health.
With increasing age, the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline increases. Carnosine and sulforaphane work synergistically to reduce neuroinflammation, protect neuronal mitochondria, and promote synaptic plasticity. These mechanisms are crucial for maintaining memory, concentration, and overall brain vitality.
It is important to realise that nutraceuticals do not work immediately. The effect often only becomes apparent after regular use for several weeks or months. Regularity and the systematic combination of several synergistic substances are key. Nutraceuticals work best in the context of a healthy lifestyle – a balanced diet, exercise and quality sleep.
Long-term use of functional supplements and nutraceuticals is a quiet but effective investment in health. It helps maintain the body’s balance, reduces oxidative stress, supports immunity, tissue regeneration and cell vitality. Although the effect is not immediately visible, the body stores these “investments” and, in the long term, rewards you with a preserved quality of life, energy and resistance to disease.
Among the most effective and scientifically supported are Sulforaphane Extra for detoxification and antioxidation, Carnosine Extra for cell protection and glycation processes, Coenzyme Q10 Extra for the heart and cell energy, Probio Flora for intestinal microbiota and immunity, Milk Thistle for liver regeneration, and Bioactive Collagen for bones, joints, and skin. Additionally, vitamins D and K2 are recommended for healthy bones, vitamin C to support antioxidation, B vitamins for metabolism and the nervous system, magnesium and zinc to support muscles, immunity and overall vitality.
Statistically, regular use of combined nutraceuticals can reduce the risk of chronic diseases by up to 25–30% in people over 50, which is a significant argument for why prevention should not begin only when the first health problems appear.
List of key studies and resources:
Fahey, J.W., Zhang, Y., Talalay, P. (2012). Broccoli sprouts: an exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(43), 17337–17342.
Hipkiss, A.R. (2010). Carnosine and its possible roles in nutrition and health. Amino Acids, 38, 1303–1310.
Boldyrev, A.A., Aldini, G., Derave, W. (2013). Physiological properties and therapeutic potential of carnosine. Biochemistry (Moscow), 78(13), 1369–1379.
Mortensen, S.A., Rosenfeldt, F., Kumar, A. (2014). The effect of coenzyme Q10 on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure. Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure, 2(6), 641–649.
Hodgson, J.M., Watts, G.F. (2002). Coenzyme Q10: antioxidant and bioenergetic functions in the ageing heart. Biofactors, 16, 63–68.
Ouwehand, A.C., et al. (2019). Probiotics and immune function in older adults. Nutrients, 11, 421.
Belkaid, Y., Hand, T.W. (2014). Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Nature Reviews Immunology, 14, 667–680.
Loguercio, C., Festi, D. (2011). Silymarin in liver diseases: past, present, future. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 17, 2288–2301.
Flora, K., Hahn, M., Rosen, H., Benner, K. (1998). Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. Phytotherapy Research, 12, 445–449.
Borumand, M., Sibilla, S. (2014). Effects of a nutritional collagen supplement on skin properties: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 54, 403–409.
Proksch, E., Segger, D., Degwert, J. (2014). Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 27, 47–55.
Holick, M.F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 357, 266–281.
Geleijnse, J.M., Vermeer, C., Grobbee, D.E. (2004). Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Journal of Nutrition, 134, 3100–3105.
Carr, A.C., Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 9, 1211.
Morris, M.S., Jacques, P.F., Rosenberg, I.H. (2006). Vitamin B-12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84, 507–513.
Volpe, S.L. (2013). Magnesium and zinc in aging: nutritional implications. Nutrients, 5, 1996–2008.
