Lipids bearing fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms can be used as pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements. In particular, such lipids are used in the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, optic and retinal degenerative diseases, demyelinating diseases, neuromuscular disorders and muscular dystrophy, brain or spinal cord nerve injury, amyloid related diseases, or other chronic diseases selected from kidney diseases, diabetes, or asthma. The lipids can also be used as a functional food or food supplement for anti-aging or life-span prolongation and brain function improvement for human and/or animals. The herb Ophioglossum can be used for the treatment and/or prevention of said diseases.