Nutraceutical
A nutraceutical is defined as any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease.
In most countries nutraceuticals are taken as part of dietary supplements. Frequency of nutraceuticals use is 50%–70% in developed countries population and this number is increasing by the age.
Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds that are extracted from their original food matrix. They can play an important role in providing basic nutrients for the growth, maintenance, and wellness of the body. Nutraceuticals supplies energy, nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and non-nutrients such as fibre, antioxidants, inducers of beneficial enzymatic activities, prebiotics, and probiotics; and the human body is well capable of utilizing all these molecules from the food.
What are they composed of?
The "dietary ingredients" in these products may include: vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, probiotics and prebiotics substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, glandular, and metabolites. Dietary supplements can also be extracts or concentrates, and may be found in many forms such as tablets, capsules, soft gels, gel caps, liquids, or powders.
The nutraceutical proteins are the nutritional proteins such as lactose-free milk, protein concentrate in food formulations of infants.
Some popular nutraceuticals include ginseng, Echinacea, green tea, glucosamine, omega-3, lutein, folic acid, and cod liver oil. Majority of the nutraceuticals possess multiple therapeutic properties.
The term is not defined the same in different countries, but is usually defined as a product isolated from foods that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical product may be defined as a substance, which has physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic diseases. Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy, or support the structure or function of the body.
Indian Nutraceuticals include three main segments -
- Functional foods
- Dietary supplements, and
- Herbal/natural products.
Over 64% of nutraceuticals market in India is occupied with vitamin and mineral supplements. Nutraceuticals are considered as foods by the FSSR Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations, 2011. Nowadays, nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects. Recent studies have shown promising results for these compounds in various complications. Foods and food supplements claiming health benefits are fast growing food categories in India.
Common Nutraceuticals active components:
Many nutraceuticals are available in market intended for various health benefits. The therapeutics effects of these nutraceuticals are because of their various active components like Curcumin from turmeric, gingerols from ginger, anthocyanins from fruits and various other active components from different sources. Prime targets of economically motivated adulteration include garlic oil, curcumin, vanilla, and or essential oils.
