Nutraceuticals

The term nutraceuticals, coined by Dr. Stephen de Felice, is derived from the words
“nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”
Nutraceuticals are products, used as nutrition and also as medicine. Nutraceuticals may
be used to improve:
• Health
• Delay the aging process
• Prevent chronic diseases
• Increase life expectancy
• Support the structure or function of the body

Nutraceutical has advantage over the medicine because they avoid side effect.
Nutraceuticals include:
• Minerals, vitamins and other dietary supplements
• Herbal products: garlic (allicin), ginger, ginseng, onion, senna, turmeric.
• Dietary enzymes: bromelain, papain
• Dietary fiber
• Hydrolyzed proteins
• Phytonutrients: resveratrol
• Carotenoids: lycopene
• Prebiotics
• Probiotics

Dietary supplements Probiotics, Prebiotics, Antioxidants, Enzymes etc.

Herbal/ phytochemicals Herbs or Botanical products.
Nutrients Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Fatty acids etc.
 Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and

yeasts that are good for you,
especially your digestive system. We
usually think of these as germs that
cause diseases. But your body is full
of bacteria, both good and bad.
Probiotics are often called "good" or
"helpful" bacteria because they help
keep your gut healthy.
 Prebiotics
Prebiotics are compounds in food that induce the growth or activity of
beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
• Prebiotics are the substances,
which reach to colon in intact
form i.e. without getting
depleted by the gastric pH and
digestive acids.

• These prebiotics also selectively

promote the growth of colonel
probiotic bacteria; hence they act
as fertilizers for these bacteria.
 Synbiotics
• It is recommended to
consume probiotics and
prebiotics simultaneously
• Synbiotics are the
products that contain
both prebiotics and
probiotics together.
• For example, fermented
dairy products can be
given with fruits.
 Health benefits of nutraceuticals
1. May increase the health value of our diet.
2. May help us live longer.
3. May help us to avoid particular medical conditions.
4. May have a psychological benefit.
5. Avoid the side effect.
6. May increase the health beneficial effect.
7. May easily be available and economically affordable
Classification of nutraceuticals:
A. Generally nutraceuticals are categorized into three parts

Nutrients: Nutrients are substances with established nutritional functions such as

vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids.

Herbals: Herbals are herbs or botanical products present as concentrates and

extracts such as Aloe Vera gel, garlic, ginger etc.

Dietary supplement: Dietary supplements are products administered through

mouth that contain a dietary ingredient intended to add something to the foods to
eat. Examples of dietary supplements are black cohosh for menopausal symptoms,
ginkgo biloba for memory loss and glucosamine for arthritis. They are available in
different dosage forms, including as tablet, capsule, liquid and powder.
B. Wide variety of nutraceutical foods are available in the market which
falls in the category of traditional foods and non-traditional foods.

i) Traditional nutraceuticals: Under the category of traditional

nutraceuticals comes food in which no change to the food are made. It is
simply natural, whole foods with new information about their potential
health qualities. There has been no change to the actual foods.

ii) Non-traditional nutraceuticals: They are the outcome from agricultural

breeding or added nutrients and/or ingredients such as orange juice fortified
with calcium, cereals with added vitamins or minerals and flour with added
folic acid.
 Medical food
Medical foods are foods that are specially formulated and intended
for the dietary management of a disease that has distinctive
nutritional needs that cannot be met by normal diet alone.
Examples:
• Special infant formulas,
• Formulations for metabolic disorders
• Oral rehydration products
• Products for chronic diarrhea
• Special nutritional formulas for patients with diabetes, AIDS,
kidney disease.
General criteria for medical food :

1. Specifically for management of disctintive

nutrient needs, resulting from a specific clinical
condition and specially formulated and
processed; not naturally occuring.

2. For patient which cannot normally take or

metabolize ordinary food or those whose
distinctive dietary needs cannot be met through
normal diet.

3. Used under medical supervision and for

patients receiving ongoing medical care.
General requirements of medical food:
Key characteristics of medical foods include:

• Specific Medical Condition: Medical foods are designed to address the nutritional needs
of individuals with a particular medical condition or disease. They are formulated with
precise nutrient compositions or ingredients to support the unique nutritional
requirements associated with the condition.

• Scientifically Formulated: Medical foods undergo extensive research and development

to ensure that they contain specific nutrients or ingredients in appropriate quantities to
manage the medical condition effectively. They are typically developed following
rigorous scientific standards and may have clinical evidence supporting their efficacy.

• Medical Supervision: Medical foods are typically recommended or prescribed by

healthcare professionals who supervise the treatment of the underlying medical condition.
They are an integral part of a comprehensive medical management plan.
 Dietary Suppliment
Dietary supplement is a manufactured product intended to supplement one's diet by
taking a pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid. A supplement can provide nutrients
either extracted from food sources or that are synthetic in order to increase the
quantity of their consumption.
The class of nutrient compounds includes:
Vitamins
Minerals
Fiber
Fatty acids
Amino acids
Health benefits of dietary suppliments
Difference between pharmaceutical drug, medical food and dietary supplements:

IND: Investigational New Drug

NDA: New Drug Applications
BLA: Biologics License Application
Functional food
FUNCTIONAL FOOD
The term "functional" implies that these foods go beyond simply
providing energy and essential nutrients. They are developed with the
aim of promoting optimal health, preventing disease, or improving
overall well-being.

Functional food, refers to food products that have been designed to

provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They are
developed to enhance overall well-being, promote health, or prevent
disease. Functional foods are intended for the general population and do
not require medical supervision or prescription.
FUNCTIONAL FOOD
Examples of functional foods include:
• Probiotic Yogurt: Yogurt that contains live beneficial bacteria (probiotics) to
support gut health and enhance digestion.
• Omega-3 Enriched Eggs: Eggs from chickens fed with omega-3 rich diets,
providing a good source of heart-healthy fatty acids.
• Fortified Milk: Milk fortified with vitamin D, calcium, or other nutrients to
support bone health.
• Antioxidant-Rich Berries: Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or acai
berries that are naturally high in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress
in the body.
• Fiber-Enriched Cereal: Cereal that is fortified with added dietary fiber to promote
digestive health and regularity.
It is important to note that while functional foods can be beneficial, they should
not replace a balanced diet or medical treatments. They are intended to be
consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle and should complement a varied and
nutritious diet.
FUNCTIONAL FOOD
Key characteristics of functional foods include:
• Health Promotion: Functional foods aim to support and promote general health
and well-being. They are formulated with bioactive ingredients, nutrients, or
natural compounds that have been scientifically shown to offer specific health
benefits.
• Targeted Functions: Functional foods are often designed to target specific
physiological functions or systems in the body, such as digestive health,
cardiovascular health, immune function, cognitive function, or weight
management.
• General Consumption: Functional foods are widely available and can be
consumed by the general population as part of a regular diet. They are not
intended to replace a balanced diet or medical treatments but can complement a
healthy lifestyle.
 Difference between functional food and medical food
Point of Functional Food Medical Food
differences
Purpose Enhance overall health, promote well-being, Manage specific medical conditions, meet unique
prevent disease nutritional needs
Target Population General population Individuals with specific medical conditions or
diseases
Availability Widely available and consumed by the Prescribed or recommended by healthcare
general population professionals
Medical Not required Typically recommended or prescribed by
Supervision healthcare professionals
Nutritional Target General health benefits, targeted Address specific nutritional needs associated with
physiological functions medical condition
Development Developed to provide health benefits beyond Formulated to meet unique nutritional
basic nutrition requirements of a condition
Clinical Evidence Limited or mixed scientific evidence Extensive research and clinical evidence
supporting efficacy
Examples Probiotic yogurt, antioxidant-rich foods, Specialized formulas for inborn errors of
fortified foods metabolism, enteral nutrition formulas for