In the previous chapter I discussed the physiological basis of hormesis and
given examples of how certain practical actions can have a hormetic benefit upon our
health. Here I will examine examples of oral drugs, compounds or supplements which
may exhibit a hormetic effect. These compounds are called hormetins and many of
these act on vitagenes, genes which encode transcription factors that are necessary for
maintaining health. Thus, I explore a direct link between information carried by
chemical compounds, and physiological modulation, with resulting health
improvement. Some of these hormetins are pluripotent agents, exhibiting benefits at
multiple levels and tissues. Other compounds are mimics of hormetic physical actions
such as calorie restriction and exercise. I will also discuss the phenomenon of
xenohormesis, i.e. hormetic gains experienced by humans through hormetins which
originate from a different species. The discussion here complements both the concept
of hormesis and that of Environmental Enrichment which will be discussed in the next
chapter, and the aim is to provide a comprehensive approach ensuring a better
understanding of hormetic mechanisms in a wider sense.
Keywords: Adaptation, Calorie restriction mimetics, Exercise mimetics,
Vitagene, Hormesis, Hormetic pathways, Hormetin, Inter-individual variations,
Sex mimetics, Xenohormesis.
