Sodium Butyrate in the Context of IBD – The Role of Gut Microbiota and the Intestinal Barrier

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) represent an increasing clinical challenge, particularly in the pediatric population. It is estimated that up to one in four patients with IBD is a child or adolescent. The growing number of diagnoses and the limitations of standard therapy have drawn increasing attention to supportive treatment strategies, including components that affect gut…

Curcumin – Anti-inflammatory Potential

Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound derived from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), best known for its intense yellow-orange color. It is responsible for most of turmeric’s biological properties. From a chemical perspective, curcumin belongs to the group of polyphenols—plant-derived compounds that have been extensively studied for their effects on inflammatory processes and…

Adaptogens

1. What are adaptogens, and how do they affect our bodies? Late autumn is a time when the human body is particularly vulnerable to chronic fatigue, both physical and mental. It is therefore a period when taking care of one’s health becomes especially important. A group of biologically active substances known as adaptogens (from the…

St. John’s Wort Extract and Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from this condition. It is a leading cause of mental disability and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. The disease is not limited to low mood alone; it is often accompanied…

L-arginine and the ageing process

The ageing of the body is a complex process influenced by many factors, both biological and environmental. As we age, our cells gradually lose their ability to regenerate. The function of mitochondria, or the ‘energy centres’ of cells, deteriorates, leading to increasing oxidative stress that damages DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. As a result, the…

Assessment of the impact of curcumin supplementation in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes

Prediabetes is an intermediate state between normal glycaemia and diabetes, characterised by impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance according to the World Health Organisation. It is a metabolic disorder that can lead to the development of diabetes if not diagnosed and treated early enough. It is usually asymptomatic or presents with non-specific symptoms such…