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Nutraceuticals’ Role in Promoting Human Health and Well-Being: An Evidence-Based Perspective

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 3910

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Private Practice for Evidence-Based Integrative and Preventive Medicine, 42025 Cavriago, Italy
Interests: preventive medicine; complementary therapies; clinical nutrition; primary care; environmental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Co-Guest Editor
Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
Interests: cardiology; internal medicine; neuroscience; nutraceuticals; environmental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutraceuticals are gaining increasing recognition for their significant contributions to human health and well-being. Their bioactive compounds, derived from natural sources, offer promising applications in disease prevention, chronic condition management, and overall wellness enhancement. Within the frameworks of evidence-based medicine, nutraceuticals present an opportunity to complement conventional therapies with targeted interventions.

Scientific exploration has described the mechanisms through which nutraceuticals exert their effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Clinical trials and mechanistic studies underscore their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes across diverse health conditions, from metabolic and cardiovascular diseases to mental health disorders and age-related decline.

This Special Issue invites original research, literature reviews, and meta-analyses that deepen our understanding of nutraceuticals in promoting health and well-being. Topics of interest include clinical evaluations of efficacy, mechanistic insights, and applications in precision nutrition, clinical prevention, and chronic disease management. Studies on safety, regulatory frameworks, and synergistic effects within integrative medicine are also encouraged.

Dr. Michele Antonelli
Dr. Davide Donelli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nutraceuticals
  • botanicals
  • medicinal foods
  • human health
  • well-being
  • oxidative stress
  • inflammation
  • healthy ageing
  • public health
  • chronic disease management
  • precision nutrition
  • integrative medicine
  • complementary therapies
  • evidence-based medicine
  • preventive medicine

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 735 KiB  
Article
Effects of Hawthorn Fruit Supplementation on Facial Skin Phenotypes and Leukocyte Telomere Length Stratified by TERT Polymorphisms
by Minju Kim and Inkyung Baik
Nutrients 2025, 17(12), 1983; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17121983 - 12 Jun 2025
Viewed by 344
Abstract
Objectives: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study aimed to evaluate whether hawthorn fruit (HF) supplementation can influence facial skin phenotypes and leukocyte telomere length (TL) and whether these effects differ by genetic polymorphisms related to TL. Participants/Methods: Among 41 male and female adults [...] Read more.
Objectives: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study aimed to evaluate whether hawthorn fruit (HF) supplementation can influence facial skin phenotypes and leukocyte telomere length (TL) and whether these effects differ by genetic polymorphisms related to TL. Participants/Methods: Among 41 male and female adults aged 25–75 years who participated in the study, 36 completed initial and follow-up examinations over 6 months. The HF supplementation group (n = 17) was instructed to take a powdered HF supplement (900 mg/day), while controls (n = 19) were to take a cornstarch placebo (900 mg/day). Facial skin phenotypes, including pigmentation, pores, hydration, wrinkles, and elasticity, were measured before and after the intervention, and changes in these phenotype scores were calculated. Sequencing of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) polymorphisms, such as rs7705526 (C>A) and rs2853669 (A>G), was conducted. Results: The HF supplementation group exhibited significantly improved hydration scores compared to the control group; the mean changes (follow-up measure—baseline measure) [standard deviation] in hydration scores over 6 months were 1.71 [8.18] and −3.00 [8.42] for the supplementation group and control group, respectively (p < 0.05) (Cohen’s d = 0.57). However, changes in other phenotypes and leukocyte TL were similar between groups. The genotype-specific analysis revealed that the improvement of hydration state was most noticeable among carriers with the CC genotype of rs7705526 (p < 0.05) (Cohen’s d = 1.50) and that the HF supplementation group exhibited reduced wrinkle scores while the control group showed increased scores among carriers of the AA genotype of rs2853669 (p < 0.05) (Cohen’s d = 1.40). In correlation analysis for all participants, hydration scores were positively correlated with leukocyte TL (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.36; p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that HF consumption may have potential anti-skin-aging effects. Future studies may need to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying these effects. Full article
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Review

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14 pages, 1555 KiB  
Review
Epigallocatechin Gallate as a Potential Therapeutic Agent in Endometriosis: A Narrative Review
by Anna Markowska, Zbigniew Kojs, Michał Antoszczak, Janina Markowska and Adam Huczyński
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2068; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132068 - 21 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic, hormone-dependent disease that affects women of reproductive age. It leads to numerous adverse clinical symptoms, which significantly impact women’s quality of life. The chronic nature of the disease and its recurrence are the main reasons for the search for [...] Read more.
Endometriosis is a chronic, hormone-dependent disease that affects women of reproductive age. It leads to numerous adverse clinical symptoms, which significantly impact women’s quality of life. The chronic nature of the disease and its recurrence are the main reasons for the search for new, non-hormonal drugs and drug candidates, either as adjunct treatment options or alternative therapies. The catechin found in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been shown to exhibit a wide array of biological activities, which may also contribute to its potential effectiveness in treating endometriosis. The poor physicochemical stability and relatively low bioavailability of EGCG have stimulated the development of a peracetylated prodrug (pro-EGCG) and other solutions, based on nanotechnology, that would eliminate the problems with EGCG. In this review article, we summarize the studies on the effects of EGCG, pro-EGCG, and EGCG-based nanoparticles on the course of endometriosis published in the GoogleScholar and PubMed databases. Of note is the fact that the results of in vitro and animal model studies have suggested that EGCG and pro-EGCG can reduce the number of endometriosis foci and their size and volume, and they can prevent fibrosis by affecting multiple molecular factors and signaling pathways. The promising results provide a basis for using green herbal extracts for endometriosis treatment in a clinical trial. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that the number of studies on the topic is currently very limited; further expansion in the coming years is necessary. Broad, well-designed clinical trials are also essential to validate the true potential of EGCG and related compounds in the fight against endometriosis. Full article
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Other

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12 pages, 739 KiB  
Systematic Review
Quail Egg-Based Supplements in Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
by Michele Antonelli, Elena Mazzoleni and Davide Donelli
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040712 - 17 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2494
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of quail egg-based supplements (QES) as an integrative remedy for treating allergic rhinitis. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted up to January 2025 to address [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of quail egg-based supplements (QES) as an integrative remedy for treating allergic rhinitis. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted up to January 2025 to address the research question. Results: A total of 294 studies were initially identified, with five clinical reports meeting the inclusion criteria. Participant numbers ranged from 40 to 180 (median: 77), with a balanced gender ratio. Four reports focused on allergic rhinitis, and one investigated nonsymptomatic atopic individuals exposed to volatile allergens. The findings suggest that a combination of QES and zinc significantly improves peak nasal inspiratory flow, mucociliary transport time, and symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, itchy nose and eyes, and sneezing in patients with allergic rhinitis. Additionally, QES may reduce the reliance on standard symptomatic medications. The intervention was generally well tolerated, with side effects being rare, mild, and transient; however, QES should be avoided in patients with egg allergies. Conclusions: The reviewed studies indicate that QES with zinc can serve as an effective integrative approach to alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Further research is recommended to confirm these findings. Full article
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