"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food". Given the emerging need for nutraceuticals due to the lack of nutritional value in food, this quote by the Hypocrite feels like a myth. Earlier, food used to bring balance in one’s life, as all the healthy nutrients like vitamins, calcium, iron, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and the rest were naturally present in food.
Nowadays, food adulteration has become widespread in the food industry, making it difficult to find fully nutritious foods. Now, people don’t get the nutrients and minerals they need in a balanced diet. This is impacting people’s health and their longevity in the worst possible way. But with the introduction of nutraceuticals, the health and nutrition sector has found a ray of hope.
However, most people believe that artificial supplements cannot replace the qualities of natural food sources. They are not wrong to think this way. But with adulteration impacting almost every food source, nothing is as natural as it used to be. This is why switching to health supplements is the next best alternative we have.
Moving on, the blog highlights key points about nutraceutical tablets and other supplements. To find out exactly what these supplements do and how they can improve quality of life, keep reading the blog.
What are Nutraceuticals?
“Nutraceuticals” is a composition of “nutrition” and “pharmaceuticals”. A nutraceutical is basically defined as food or any part of food that provides health or medical benefits, helps prevent disease, or serves as a treatment to cure disease. But you should not consider these supplements as a whole alternative to natural foods. A nutraceutical rich in complex vitamins does not have the same nutritional value as a whole apple.
Similarly, nutraceuticals should not be considered as drugs or antibiotics sold in pharmacies. They are basically working as a bridge between food and medicine. These supplements extract specific compounds from food sources and serve as medicinal agents in a more useful and effective way. These supplements aim to target the key benefits of a food component.
What is the reason behind the rising popularity of nutraceuticals? As a matter of fact, nutraceuticals are foods that derive nutrients from natural food sources. These supplement nutrients are great for dietary and healthcare requirements. Most people consume these plant-based natural supplements to fulfil their nutrient requirements, prevent diseases, boost immunity, and lead a balanced lifestyle.
What are the Two Major Categories of Nutraceutical Products?
To navigate the differences between health and pharmaceutical supplements, you must understand the distinction between the categories of nutraceutical products. The following are the two categories of nutraceuticals:
Dietary Supplements
The first thing that comes to mind when hearing the word “nutraceuticals” is dietary supplements. Nutraceutical table uses are prescribed in medicinal form. A pill, capsule, powder, or liquid alternative is offered as a supplement to the diet. These supplements usually involve the following ingredients:
- Vitamins & Minerals - Vitamin D, Calcium, or Iron.
- Amino Acids - Amino Acids are the building blocks of creatine, L-theanine, and other proteins.
- Herbs & Botanicals - Nutraceuticals include concentrated plant extracts, such as turmeric.
Functional Foods
Functional foods are another category of Nutraceutical products. These are whole foods that offer additional health benefits beyond their typical nutritional value. Usually, this happened with the addition of new ingredients or with enhancing the nutritional value of the ones they already had. Some functional foods are:
- Forfeited milk with Vitamin D to enhance bone health with calcium absorption.
- Probiotics are added to yogurt to improve gut health.
- Cereals with psyllium or added fibre for better digestion.
- Forfeited orange juice with calcium for better bone health.
- Plant steroid-rich margarine to lower cholesterol.
What are the Health Benefits of Nutraceutical Medicine & Products?
The following are some health benefits of Nutraceutical products and medicine:
Better Heart Health
Heart health was one of the areas of concern most closely monitored. Omega-3 fatty acids collected from fish oil are best for lowering triglycerides and reducing inflammation. Studies show that Omega-3 supplements have the potential to improve heart health. In addition, psyllium, husk, oats’ beta-glucan, and other soluble fibers lower bad cholesterol. Moreover, plant sterols and stanols are typically added to functional foods as they help in reducing cholesterol absorption.
Uplifting Bone Health
Nutraceuticals are effective for people with joint discomfort. For that, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and the rest are quite effective. These nutraceutical products help in strengthening cartilage health. The major approach of nutraceuticals is to enhance bone density using the combination of calcium and Vitamin D, and simultaneously preventing osteoporosis.
Gut and Digestive System’s longevity
Nutraceutical tablet uses mostly reflect the importance of the gut microbiome. The good bacteria, called “Probiotics,” are found in functional foods like yogurt and other supplements. They are best known for maintaining a healthy gut and balanced digestion. Probiotics are a kind of fibre on which bacteria feed. They are quite essential for ensuring digestive health.
What are the Limitations of Nutraceuticals?
The following are some limitations of nutraceuticals:
- Limited Standardisation - Different brands sell different supplements, and the amount of active ingredient in each product can vary from product to product and from manufacturer to manufacturer.
- Nutrition Contamination - Nutraceutical contamination with pesticides, unidentified or undeclared pharmaceutical drugs, heavy metals, or other contaminants is highly prevalent.
- Relation with Pharmaceutical Drugs - Many nutraceuticals are contaminated with pharmaceutical drugs, which can affect the effectiveness of prescribed medicines.
Some Important Considerations
The following are some important considerations that should be kept in mind when switching to Nutraceuticals:
Always Consult with your Doctor
Do not rush toward nutraceutical tablet uses. Always consult with your doctor first before starting any health supplement. Consulting a doctor or a prescribed dietitian is necessary, as they can provide the best advice on whether using supplements is good for your health. After carefully evaluating your health, medication requirements, and appropriate dosages, they can determine whether supplements are appropriate for your health.
Third-Party Verification is Important
Always look for products that have been voluntarily tested on people by a third-party organization. This is essential for determining the quality of nutraceuticals. The third-party verification ensures the product’s purity, the absence of contaminants, and the product's potential. Doing so gives you satisfaction that the nutraceutical medicines you will be consuming are safe. Plus, the FSSAI-approved labels work as an indicator of the product’s authenticity.
There is No Substitute for a Healthy Lifestyle
There is no better substitute for a natural and healthy lifestyle. Supplements cannot replace the necessity of a nutrition-rich, healthy diet. The damage caused by a poor diet or a hectic lifestyle is irreversible. A balanced diet, along with regular exercise, is always best for a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, sleep plays a crucial role in supporting health and a healthy lifestyle as well.
