A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies, along with the right mix of macronutrients, is essential for optimal health. However, getting enough of the critical nutrients is impossible in some cases. Insufficient nutrients can cause oxidative stress, leading to other health problems.

Discoveries and innovative technologies are constantly being made in nutrition research. Nutraceuticals are one such breakthrough that bridges the gap between medicine and nutrition.

This article will discuss what nutraceuticals are and their role in overall health. It will also explain how to incorporate them into your diet.

What are Nutraceuticals?

Nutraceuticals are food products that have both nutritional and medicinal benefits. These terms are used to describe Nutraceuticals:

  • Functional foods
  • Medical food
  • Designer foods
  • Phytochemicals
  • Supplements for Nutrition
  • These products include Dietary supplements, herbs, genetically engineered food, vitamins, and diets. They are rich in bioactive compounds derived from nature and provide physiological benefits as well as aiding in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Nutraceuticals include common foods such as pre-and probiotics, fortified cereals, and processed food.
  • Nutraceuticals are a natural way to improve your health, slow aging, prevent chronic diseases, and support the body’s structure, functioning, and health. 

They can also treat and prevent mental disorders and other health problems. Histories

  • Stephen DeFelice, the founder and chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine in Cranford, New Jersey, coined the term “nutraceutical” in 1989. “2
  • Many cultures have been taught that food can be used for nutrition and healing. Nutraceuticals are nearly 3,000 years old. It was popularized by Hippocrates, who is the father of modern medicine. He recognized the importance of food and health.
  • People in India and China have traditionally eaten natural foods considered medicinal. France, England, Germany, and France were among the first countries to recognize that diet is more important than exercise and genetic factors when trying to improve health. 3
  • Nutraceuticals are now a scientific field. New research and evidence have proven the products’ safety and efficacy.

How Nutraceuticals work

  • Healthy eating habits contribute to good health. They provide the nutrients that your body needs to grow and repair itself. Nutraceuticals supplement your diet if you don’t have enough essential nutrients or vitamins.

Nutrients and Metabolism.

  • The chemical elements that make food are called nutrients. Nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and electrolytes are required for a healthy metabolism.
  • Metabolic refers to all chemical reactions in the body that convert food into energy. This energy is used to create compounds for all cells. Metabolism is the maintenance of all living cells and organs.
  • The nutrients that are broken down during metabolism affect the pathways. Our body functions well if all nutrients are available in the correct amount. This allows your body to heal and repair itself quickly.
  • If you don’t have enough nutrients, your body will take longer to heal or may develop serious complications. Nutraceuticals can help you get the extra nutrients your body needs to operate correctly and maintain a healthy metabolism.

Types

  • Nutraceuticals can be broadly divided based on their function and food source. They can be classified into two broad categories: functional food and dietary supplements.

Dietary Supplements

  • These products contain concentrated bioactive nutrients obtained from food sources and are suitable for use in a dosage form. Supplements include amino acids, vitamins or herbs, minerals, essential metabolisms, and some enzymes.
  • Dietary Supplements can be purchased in tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and gummies.
  • Nutraceuticals, which fall under the umbrella of dietary supplements, not only add to the diet but also promote good health and prevent diseases.

Functional Foods

  • 4 Functional foods are food or ingredients that provide a health benefit beyond essential nutrition.
  • This category includes whole foods and fortified, enhanced, or enhanced foods. These foods can help improve your health when they are part of a varied diet. Functional food can be seen as food, such as pasta, whole grains, yogurt, and snacks.
  • Functional foods may include:
    • Traditional Functional Food These are nutritionally rich natural foods that provide health benefits beyond essential nutrition.
    • Non-Traditional Functional food: These are artificial foods enhanced with bioactive ingredients to improve health and well-being. Fortified nutraceuticals include juice with added calcium, cereal with iron fortification, and flour with added folate. Recombinant functional foods, biotech-produced energy-producing foods like bread, yogurt, and cheese, can also be modified.

Benefits

  • Nutraceuticals have gained popularity over the last few years. Nutraceuticals are an alternative or additional pharmaceutical treatment to treat and prevent various diseases.
  • Nutraceuticals may play an essential part in different biological processes of the body, which can help prevent many diseases and improve overall well-being.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment

  • Nutraceuticals can help prevent the onset and treatment of chronic diseases. There is evidence that Nutraceuticals are effective in preventing the onset of chronic diseases and reducing complications. 6

Eye Health Improvement

  • Specific nutraceuticals can benefit patients with eye conditions and conditions such as age-related macular disease, glaucoma, and other visual disorders. 7
  • Nutraceuticals such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamins C, E, and C, reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts. 8 Essential fatty acids such as omega-3s are vital for retinal function and visual development.

Improve Immune Function

  • Nutraceuticals that boost immunity, such as green tea, blueberries, and amino acids, have been shown to improve and strengthen immune health. They also help prevent diseases.
  • Herbs and plant extracts such as echinacea, astragalus, and others herb and plant extracts can assist the development and regeneration of stem cells. 9 Garlic’s anti-inflammatory properties can improve the function of the immune system.