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Nutraceuticals

The Categorization of Nutraceuticals.

The classification of nutraceuticals majorly depends on the source. Products can be classified on the basis of several factors like natural sources, pharmacological conditions ets. There are four main types of nutraceuticals. Dietary supplements, functional foods, medicinal foods and pharmaceuticals.

Depending on the type of nutraceuticals, products are claimed to prevent diseases, improve health, prolong ageing and aid in the systematic function of the body.

Dietary Supplements:

It’s a product that we consume to fill the gap in our giet. This supplement may carry vitamins, minerals, amino acids, minerals, and substances like enzymes and metabolites. They can also be concentrates and extracts that come in many forms suchs a pills, capsules, gelcaps, liquids and powders.

Functional Food:

Functional foods are basically enriched or fortified foods which contain added ingredients and nutrients. For Example: Milk added with vitamin D etc.

Farmaceuticals:

Farmaceuticals are components produced which have a medical value derived from modified plants or animals. People who endorse this are usually one who believe using crops and animals as pharmaceuticals are much more cost effective than conventional methods.

Medicinal Food:

Medicinal foods can only be consumed under the supervision of a physician and are designed for the specific dietary management of a particular disease or illness. These foods are only established after serious medical evaluation.

Health Benefits of Nutraceuticals:

There is a growing demand for nutraceuticals due to their potential nutritional, medicinal and therapeutic effects. Nutraceuticals can also play a major role in many processes such as antioxidant defenses, cell proliferation,gene expression and mitochondrial integrity.

Due to modern day diet, lifestyle and environmental conditions, there are several diseases and viruses that are threats to our well being. Nutraceuticals provide us the option to prevent such diseases like diabetes, infections and gastronomical disorders. Many nutraceuticals have shown tremendous results in improving overall health, preventing diseases and boosting immunity Some researchers have found indications that nutraceuticals can make disease curing modifications such as in the case of dementia and parkinsons.

Nutraceuticals: The dark side:

Despite the shine of nutraceuticals, there is also a dark side that comes along with it. Academic institutions and scientific organisations have to find a way to provide credible sources and establish sound evidence of the working of these products. There are a whole lot of companies out there making nutritional supplements and there is also a lack of quality control. This is a risk for the consumer. Clinical research of the nutraceutical is needed to regulate safety. Both the doctor and patient needs to be aware of what the patient is consuming and what are the benefits.

What are Nutraceuticals?

Any product that is derived from food sources which has additional health benefits apart from the basic nutritional values is called a nutraceutical.
Nutraceutical products enable general well being and provide preventive measures to serious illnesses. The term Nutraceutical is a combination of two terms, nutrient which is a beneficial component in food and pharmaceutical which is a medicinal drug. Stephen Defelice coined the term in 1989. He is the founder and chairman of the foundation for innovation in medicine.

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