Therapeutic perspectives of epigenetically active nutrients

Many nutrients are known for a wide range of activities in prevention and alleviation of various diseases. Recently, their
potential role in regulating human health through effects on epigenetics has become evident, although specific mechanisms
are still unclear. Thus, nutriepigenetics/nutriepigenomics has emerged as a new and promising field in current epigenetics
research in the past few years. In particular, polyphenols, as part of the central dynamic interaction between the genome and
the environment with specificity at physiological concentrations, are well known to affect mechanisms underlying human
health. This review summarizes the effects of dietary compounds on epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of gene
expression including expression of enzymes and other molecules responsible for drug absorption, distribution, metabolism
and excretion in cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders and hormonal dysfunction.