Do the Phytonutrients contained within the Mediterranean diet positively affect Ageing?

Muhdo Health has been fortunate enough to have been part of a landmark study with Kings College London, National University of Singapore and Stavanger University Hospital looking at the effects of phytonutrients on various biomarkers which are implicated in the ageing process and many age-related diseases.

Phytonutrients, also known as phytochemicals, are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have various health benefits. These compounds are not essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, meaning the body doesn’t require them to survive, but they can significantly contribute to health and well-being.

“DailyColors™️ is a supplement made up of several phytonutrients that aims to replicate elements from the Mediterranean diet. These include fruit, berry and vegetable extracts that are rich in key phytochemicals such as Quercetin, Catechins, Phloretin, Ellagic Acid, and Anthocyanins.

Here, we determined the effects of DailyColors™️ on the blood biomarkers associated with the diverse mechanisms implicated in ageing and age-related diseases, including mitochondrial function, inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as on saliva’s DNA methylation pattern. (Muhdo Health)

Thirty adult participants (mean (SD) age = 67.0 (7.5) years) with a body mass index over 25 were recruited into this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial (two one-week treatment periods, separated by a one-week washout period). During the placebo period, we observed a significant increase in blood CD38 concentrations from the baseline to 24 h (p-value = 0.019).

This was not observed in the active period. Increased CD38 is reportedly associated with subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. Next, there was a decreasing trend of plasma 4-HNE levels, an oxidative stress biomarker, after a one-week intake of DailyColors™️.

Furthermore, following a one-month open-label follow-up in 26 participants, we observed hypermethylation of the candidate CpG site cg13108341 (q-value = 0.021), which was against the observed trend for this site during ageing.

Taken together, while minimal effects were observed in this study, DailyColors™️ supplementation may be beneficial by altering and alleviating age-related changes. Longer and larger scale trials of DailyColors™️ supplementation are warranted”.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/8/995