What are Nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals in anumbrella term referring to products that are a combination of nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Nutraceuticals are food components that are beneficial for health and provide basic nutrition. It was Stephen DeFelice who proposed this term in 1989. These are meant to connect nutrition and medicine and make food a medicine.Â
Nutraceuticals are of different forms, ranging from drinks to fortified foods. They contain essential nutrients such as vitamins, amino acids, minerals, omega-fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, etc.Â
These can be categorised as diet supplements that provide more concentrated bioactive compounds that are taken to enhance health. They are derived from natural sources such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, extracts, herbs, etc.Â
Classification of Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals can be classified based on multiple criteria.
| Classification Based on | Types and Examples |
| Source | From botanical extracts, living beings, biobased products such as fish oil, plant extracts, probiotics, etc. |
| Chemical Composition | Anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, immune boosters, and digestive supplements such as probiotics. |
| Mode of Action | Nutraceuticals for heart, bone, or brain health. Eg, Vit D., omega-fatty acids, vitamin C, probiotics, etc . |
| Health Benefits | Nutraceuticals for heart, bone, or brain health. Eg, Vit D., omega-fatty acids, vitamin C, probiotics, etc. |
Health Benefits of Nutraceuticals
As you can see, nutraceuticals offer a wide range of health benefits from protecting the heart from various illnesses, boosting immunity by providing probiotics for the gut, strengthening bone health with calcium and vitamin D supplements, etc. The antioxidants protect cellular functions and prevent damage due to oxidation. This will also have a positive impact on ageing. Nutraceuticals can reduce inflammation, promote digestion, etc.Â
They are available in the form of capsules, tablets, sofygels, chewable tablets, powdered form, which can be mixed in liquid or solid foods, etc. They are meant to be added to the daily diet. While there will be a dosage mentioned on the product, one must consult a doctor before starting to use any such nutraceutical.Â
With proper diet and physical activities, nutraceuticals are meant to be part of daily life to improve the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle and negate any downsides of life.Â
At the same time, nutraceuticals are not foolproof. Despite proper clinical trials and approvals, some of them can cause allergies and other health or medical problems. The threat of heavy metals or contaminant microbes in them is a possibility. This is why nutraceuticals, which are generally considered safe, must be taken cautiously. This is where known and proven brands come into the picture.Â
References
- Nutraceuticals. (n.d.). Eurofins Scientific. https://www.eurofins.in/food-testing/blog/nutraceuticals/
- News-Medical. (2022, November 26). What are Nutraceuticals? https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Nutraceuticals.aspx
