A combination of the following three structures in a single molecule imparts a surprisingly broad range of beneficial effects in promoting and maintaining health. First, a strongly hydrophilic moiety, either a cation or anion or a polyhydroxyl group, with two or preferably three or more hydroxyl groups. Second, a lipophilic group, such as an alkyl chain of at least 8 carbons, and preferentially more, up to 18 or even 30-odd atoms in the chain. And third, a covalently reactive group, preferably with a strong tendency for binding to biosurfaces and biomolecules such as proteins, cell membranes, and/or nucleic acids, such as an epoxide, an acid anhydride, isocyanate or other reactive group(s) as herein defined.
