Phytochemicals and Vitamin D for a Healthy Life and Prevention of Diseases

Abstract

A variety of phytocompounds contained in medical plants have been used as medication, including Kampo (traditional Japanese) medicine. Phytochemicals are one category of the chemical compounds mainly known as antioxidants, and recently, their anti-inflammatory effects in preventing chronic inflammation have received much attention. Here, we present a narrative review of the health-promotion and disease-prevention effects of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, the latter of which are abundant in onions, oranges, tea, soybeans, turmeric, cacao, and grapes, along with the synergetic effects of vitamin D. A phenomenon currently gaining popularity in Japan is finding non-disease conditions, so-called ME-BYO (mibyou) and treating them before they develop into illnesses. In addition to lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome and obesity, dementia and frailty, commonly found in the elderly, are included as underlying conditions. These conditions are typically induced by chronic inflammation and might result in multiple organ failure or cancer if left untreated. Maintaining gut microbiota is important for suppressing (recently increasing) intestinal disorders and for upregulating immunity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in phytochemicals and vitamin D for disease prevention increased, as viral and bacterial infection to the lung causes fatal inflammation, and chronic inflammation induces pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, sepsis is a disorder inducing severe organ failure by the infection of microbes, with a high mortality ratio in non-coronary ICUs. However, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) working using natural immunity suppress sepsis at the early stage. The intake of phytochemicals and vitamin D enhances anti-inflammatory effects, upregulates immunity, and reduces the risk of chronic disorders by means of keeping healthy gut microbiota. Evidence acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that daily improvement and prevention of underlying conditions, in terms of lifestyle-related diseases, is very important because they increase the risk of infectious diseases. This narrative review discusses the importance of the intake of phytochemicals and vitamin D for a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of ME-BYO, non-disease conditions.

Protective Effects of Dietary Vitamin D3, Turmeric Powder and Their Combination Against Gasoline Intoxication in Rats

“…A similar but less effective protection was observed following dietary supplementation with turmeric powder at a relatively lower dose (0.5%, w/w; 6 days/week) compared to those used in the above-referenced studies (e.g., [25,26]). These protective effects of vitamin D3 and turmeric are consistent with their known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities [28][29][30][31][32].…”

The Potential Use of Vitamin D3 and Phytochemicals for Their Anti-Ageing Effects

“…As we have reported previously [66][67][68][69][70], terpenoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, and even β-glucans are included in phytochemicals, a variety of plant-derived chemicals. Recently, research into chemicals derived from plants has also been conducted to develop safe alternatives to petroleum-derived industrial chemicals that might have adverse effects on the environment and its residents [71].…”

“…Recently, searches for the TGR5 agonist have been conducted across the world. Fermented grape food from Koshu (K-FGF) contains oleanolic acid and tends to relieve constipation after its consumption [66][67][68].…”

“…Table 1 summarises the variety and effects of polyphenol flavonoids shown in this review. Quercetin, naringin, nobiletin Anti-inflammatory effects in metabolic syndrome prevention [66] Flavan-3-ols, flavon-3-ols, anthocyanidins Anti-inflammatory effects in intestinal disorders [67] Quercetin, hesperidin, nobiletin, rutin Anti-inflammatory effects for healthy longevity and prevention of "ME-BYO" [68] Catechins Cellular antioxidant properties [73] Theaflavin Health-related effects and chemistry [74] Anthocyanin Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical effects other than use as colour pigments [75] Hesperidin Hesperidin in obesity treatment [76] Isoflavone Therapeutic effects from oestrogen activity [77] Sesamin Effects of sesamin in angiogenic processes [78] Flavonoids Anti-inflammation effects of flavonoids [88] Quercetin Anti-ageing effects [89] Quercetin, fisetin Effects of flavonoids in cancer chemotherapy [90] Quercetin, luteolin Suppression of TNF-α production of flavonoids in cellular process [91] Hesperidin Suppression of endotoxic shock [92]…”

“…During menopause, the decrease in the female hormone oestrogen increases susceptibility to osteoporosis. The effects of phytoestrogen equol and the osteoporosis preventive effect of β-cryptoxanthin have already been mentioned above [68]. Research into the effects of the combined administration of vitamin D3 and tea catechins has been conducted for the inhibition of bone metabolism by osteoclasts [107].…”