Nutraceuticals are the products that are derived from food sources, they have extra health benefits other than simple nutritional value.
History about nutraceuticals:
The term nutraceuticals combine by two words nutrient and pharmaceuticals. Nutrient mean nourishing food components and pharmaceuticals means medical drug. The name of nutraceuticals was coined by the American scientist Stephen DeFelice (1989), The philosophy behind nutraceuticals is prevention. According to the saying of Greek physician Hippocrates, let food be your medicine.
What are the sources of nutraceuticals?
Essential oils, vegetables, medicinal plants, marine organisms, nuts, fruits, are the important sources of nutraceuticals.
Nutraceuticals can be classified as:
- Dietary supplements
- Functional food
Dietary supplements are the concentrated products that are bioproducts and are derived from food sources. These are processed supplements that are packed into dosage form, they contain vitamins, herbs and metabolites. These are available in the form of powders, capsules etc.
The type of nutraceuticals that are fortified and enhanced that can improve health are called as functional food.
Sources of functional food:
Pasta, whole grain, yogurt, snakes, and more.
How nutraceuticals work?
A healthy diet containing nutrients provides your body well growth and helps your body to repair faster. When your body does not have enough supply of essential nutrients and vitamins then nutraceuticals can act as supplements. If the right amount of essential nutrients is present in our body, then all of your body system will work faster and properly.
What are the functions of nutraceuticals?
- Prevention and treatment of chronic diseases
- Improve eye health
- Improve Immune system
- Improve gut health
- Support reproductive health
- Treat inflammation
- Improve mental health
Prevention and treatment of chronic diseases:
Nutraceuticals play and important role in reduction of complications involved.
- To prevent cardiovascular diseases
- Cancer
- Diabetics
- Obesity
- Inflammation
Improve eye health:
Eye related diseases visual disorder and age-related muscular degenerations can be prevented by using certain nutraceuticals.
Nutraceuticals like lutein, vitamin C, and vitamin E reduce the risks of cataracts. Omaga-3 are important for visual development and different eye functions.
Improve Immune system:
Immune booster nutraceuticals like
- Green tea
- Blueberries
- Amino acids
- Vitamin D
These are found to be useful in strengthening immune health and ultimately prevent diseases. Herbs and plant extracts health in growth of stem cell.
Improve gut health:
Nutraceuticals like flavonoids, aloe vera, and omega-3 can stimulate the growth of good bacteria and reduce of harmful bacteria which automatically improves gut health.
Support reproductive health:
Some nutraceuticals are important for both male and female reproductive system.
- Helps in male infertility
- Dysfunction
- Prevent damage to sperms
- Improve pregnancy outcomes in women
- Improve menstruation cycle
Treat inflammation:
Some nutraceuticals help in prevention and treatment of inflammation that may be due to phytochemicals
Improve mental health:
Certain nutraceuticals like
- Omega-3
- Vitamin B & D
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Lycopene
- Beta- carotene
They help in improving mood, stress, anxiety, depression ,etc.
The types of nutraceuticals that have antioxidant properties help prevent neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
