Food supplements & vital substances

Many people not only want a long life, but above all a healthy and active life into old age. Dietary supplements can help to support exactly that. This is because certain micronutrients play an important role in keeping our cells healthy, regulating inflammation and preventing age-related changes.

At the Nuhr Medical Center, we see these vital substances as a sensible supplement to diet, exercise and stress reduction – embedded in an individual, medically supervised overall concept.

Is a healthy diet alone enough?

In theory, yes: a balanced, fresh and nutrient-rich diet can cover a large part of our vitamin, mineral and trace element requirements. However, this is often not the case in everyday life. Many people eat too one-sidedly, are stressed, sleep too little or have an increased need for nutrients due to environmental stress and medication. What’s more, our metabolism changes with age – the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients decreases, while the need for certain vital substances actually increases.

The result: even with a fundamentally healthy lifestyle, hidden deficiencies can occur that often only become noticeable years later. These include a weakened immune system, chronic fatigue, inflammation or slower regeneration.

How can nutritional supplements provide useful support?

Food supplements are no substitute for a healthy diet, but they can provide targeted support where the body needs it, especially for

• Chronic stress or high workload
• existing inflammations or autoimmune processes
• Reduced micronutrient intake in old age
• an increased requirement due to sport, illness or medication
• the targeted promotion of cell health and longevity

Correctly selected and individually dosed, vital substances can help to regulate inflammatory processes, reduce oxidative stress, promote cell regeneration and thus create important conditions for healthy ageing.

Which micronutrients are particularly relevant for longevity?

At the Nuhr Medical Center, we know: Growing older healthily is not a coincidence, but a decision – and often the result of many small, smart steps. A balanced diet, exercise, sufficient sleep and effective stress management form the basis. But sometimes the body needs more. Particularly when it comes to cell protection, energy production or slowing down age-related processes, certain vital substances can be crucial.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a natural plant substance found in dark berries, grapes and red wine. Particularly exciting: resveratrol activates so-called sirtuins – enzymes that help our cells to regenerate and deal better with stress. They help to repair DNA damage and protect cells from inflammation and oxidative stress. Studies suggest that resveratrol may play an important role in healthy ageing.

NAD⁺ pre-stages: NMN & NR

As we get older, the level of a certain coenzyme in our body decreases: NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). This molecule is essential for energy production in our cells – the less NAD⁺ is present, the slower our cell metabolism becomes. This is where the precursors NMN and NR come in. They help the body to produce more NAD⁺ again, which in turn improves cell energy and boosts repair processes.

Antioxidants

Free radicals are produced by environmental pollution, stress and also quite naturally in the metabolism – they attack our cells and promote ageing. Antioxidants act like a protective shield against this.

• Coenzyme Q10 is particularly important for our heart and nerve cells. It helps the mitochondria – the “power plants” of the cell – to produce energy and at the same time protects against damage.
• Astaxanthin is considered one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. It supports the health of the skin, eyes and brain and has a proven anti-inflammatory effect.

Fisetin and quercetin

Fisetin and quercetin belong to the group of flavonoids – secondary plant substances with a strong effect. Their senolytic properties are particularly interesting: they help the body to break down so-called “zombie cells”. These are old, dysfunctional cells that no longer divide but constantly release inflammatory substances. Their reduction can slow down ageing processes and promote the body’s own regeneration.

Trace elements

The body only needs small amounts of some substances – but nothing runs smoothly without them. These include

• Magnesium – supports cell division, muscle function and energy production.
• Zinc – strengthens the immune system, supports wound healing and protects cells from oxidative stress.
• Selenium – has an anti-inflammatory effect, is important for the thyroid gland and protects the cells in many ways.

Stress, an unbalanced diet or old age can easily lead to a shortage of these substances.

Spermidine and omega-3

Spermidine is an exciting substance that supports the process of autophagy – a kind of internal cell cleansing. In this process, damaged or no longer functioning cell components are broken down and recycled. This process is essential for cell health and becomes less active with increasing age. Spermidine can provide targeted support here.

Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, support the heart, brain and eyes – and even help to protect our telomeres. These structures at the ends of our chromosomes are regarded as biomarkers of ageing: the longer they remain, the healthier our cells age.

Rapamycin

Rapamycin originally comes from transplant medicine because it dampens the immune system. However, it also acts on a specific signaling pathway in the body: the mTOR pathway, which controls cell growth and metabolism. If this pathway is specifically inhibited, ageing processes can be slowed down. Studies on animals show interesting effects – but its use in humans is still very much research-based. Rapamycin should therefore only be used under close medical supervision, if at all.

How do we integrate food supplements into the Nuhr concept?

At the Nuhr Medical Center, we do not see dietary supplements as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as targeted support – embedded in a comprehensive concept for healthy longevity.

In order for vital substances such as NAD⁺ precursors, resveratrol, spermidine, coenzyme Q10 or omega-3 fatty acids to really have an effect, a sound basis is required: we therefore always start with a detailed diagnosis. In a personal consultation, we talk to you about your diet, lifestyle and health history. We then use modern laboratory tests to check whether your body lacks or is deficient in certain micronutrients.

Depending on the results, we work with you to put together an individual supplementation plan – tailored to your phase of life, your daily routine and your health goals. Our aim is not to provide as many supplements as possible, but to replenish precisely those substances that are important for your cell health, energy and regeneration.

We know from experience and current research that some nutrients – such as magnesium, zinc, selenium or vitamin D – are difficult to get enough of in everyday life, especially in old age or under stress. Others, such as fisetin, quercetin or astaxanthin, have the potential to reduce inflammatory processes or promote cellular repair mechanisms – important aspects when it comes to getting older in a healthy way.

During your time with us – for example as part of your Nuhr time-out – we accompany the intake of supplements with nutrient-rich, freshly prepared food, stress regulation, moderate exercise and mindful moments in nature. This is because supplements work best when they are part of a holistic lifestyle.