Nutraceuticals is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.

Term commonly used anonymously for designer foods, health foods, fortified foods, medifoods, vita foods, pharma foods, functional foods and dietary supplements.

Term coined by Dr.Stephen L De Felice, Founder and Chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine, New Jersey, USA.

A nutraceutical is any substance considered as a food, or its part which, in addition to its normal DEFINITION OF NUTRACEUTICALS… nutritional value provides health benefits including the prevention of disease or promotion of health. E.g.: lycopene, beta carotene

ARE THEY SAFE….

Optimal doses of many yet to be discovered Animal studies revealed that some petrochemicals (allyl isothiocyanate) known for cancer prevention is carcinogenic at high concentration Additional research necessary to substantiate potential health benefits Soy phytoestrogens- ‘‘a double edged sword” Crude form of the drug

NUTRIGENOMICS

  • Study of the effects of food and food constituents on gene expression
  • Influence of genetic variations on nutrition
  • Personalized nutrition based on genotype
  • Science still in infancy

NUTRIGENOMICS VERSUS NUTRAGENOMICS

  • Nutrigenomics: Vitamins, aminoacids, minerals, trace elements etc. Less than 60 compounds identified so far.
  • Nutragenomics: More than 1000 compounds. Eg. Resveratrol from grapes, Genistein from Soy proteins, Lutein from Kiwi fruits and broccoli, Lycopene from Tomato

SOME COMMONLY USED NUTRACEUTICALS

  • TURMERIC

Curcuminoids, which are among the most well researched phyto-nutrients, are found in turmeric.  Research to date indicates that curcuminoids have a powerful antioxidant action  Curcuminoids also offer the body support in its anti-inflammatory function, as well as lending circulatory and immune support.  The anti-oxidant activity of curcuminoids is approximately 3 times more powerful than Polycyanidolic Oligomers (PCO).

  • Lycopene Effect in Diseases

Cancers, prostate , digestive tract , bladder , skin ,  lung ,  breast, cervical, cardiovascular disease, & asthma

ADVANTAGES OF NUTRACEUTICALS

  • Improve health
  • Delay aging
  • Increases life expectancy
  • Reduced side effects with desirable outcomes  Holistic approach
  • Food supplies being on a dwindling mode
  • Markets focusing on supply of highly processed foods lacking sufficient and appropriate nutrients
  • Media drawing people’s attention to nutraceuticals
  • Baby boomers reaching golden ages

LIMITATIONS

  • Not subjected to same testing and regulations as pharmaceuticals
  • Majority not regulated by FDA in USA
  • Companies creating unregulated products to create a wide profit margin
  • Bioavailability of nutrients is lower
  • No regulatory definition
  • Effect may be attributed to that of a placebo

Commonly used nutraceuticals in Ayurveda

  • Chyavanprasha (for general health and prevention of respiratory disorders
  • Brahma Rasayana (for protection from mental stress)
  • Phala Ghrita (for reproductive health)
  • Arjuna Ksheerapaka (for cardio protection)

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