Xenobiotics and human health: A new view of their pharma-nutritional role

Publication date: April 2015 Source:PharmaNutrition, Volume 3, Issue 2 Author(s): Francesco Visioli The current interest in xenobiotics is being revamped by the quite recent re-evaluation of dietary antioxidants, namely polyphenols as mildly noxious compounds rather than true in vivo antioxidants. Consequently, our view on the role of xenobiotics in human health is shifting. While many dietary compounds are toxic when ingested in excessive amounts, a wide array of plant-derived xenobiotics, namely polyphenols, actually activate Phase II enzymes and augment our defenses toward subsequent noxious stimuli. Therefore, the nrf2 pathway might be of outmost importance in reinstating proper detoxification ability in, e.g., the elderly or during situations of oxidative stress and/or increased exposure to pollutants. One aspect that needs to be underscored is that genetic differences as well as the various life phases might need some fine-tuning of Phase II enzymes activators intake. Notable examples include lipoic acid and plant, e.g., olive polyphenols, which – in adequate amounts – might play important protective roles beyond their mere antioxidant actions. Finally, this intriguing hypothesis has not been confirmed in humans and requires appropriate investigations. Graphical abstract
Source: PharmaNutrition - Category: Nutrition Source Type: research