M pharm Dept Quality Assurance Anuradha College of Pharmacy, Chikhili, Dist-Buldhana, M.S., India 443001
In recent years, the increased availability of a wide variety of processed and unhealthy food products has prompted major concerns about their harmful health, environmental, and social implications. The excessive use of such foods has been related to a rise in chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis, and numerous allergy problems. In response, nutraceuticals have developed as viable solutions to improve health and enhance immunity. These bioactive chemicals, derived from food sources, have a key role in preventing disease and maintaining normal physiological activities. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, nutraceuticals garnered attention for their potential to min-imise problems and support immune function. Their widespread usage, driven by ease of availability and perceived health benefits, has led to an upsurge in study on their efficacy and interactions with pharmaceutical medications. This review gives a complete overview of nutraceuticals, including their classification into traditional and non-traditional categories, and emphasises notable examples of drug-nutraceutical interactions, stressing their importance in current health care and disease preventive methods.
Life without food is not feasible, as it offers nutrients that fuel our bodies and keep our system operating in good shape. The quality of life mostly depends on what we eat, and consequently, nutrition and its impact on health are very important. The name is a combination of the words "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical", was coined in 1989 by Stephen L. Defelice, founder and chairman of the Foundation of Innovation Medicine. [1]Human lifestyles have been radically changing over the recent five decades due to urbanization, industrialization, hectic schedules and shifting cultures. foods [2] has climbed leading to various illnesses created because of incorrect diet, due to which obesity is now a worldwide concern. These influences have transformed human habits and force them to rapid eating, instant and pleasant food, fast food, junk In many poor countries cardiovascular problems are a leading reason for death followed by osteoporosis, cancer, arthritis, and several others.3 Nutraceutical is a term coined to describe compounds which are not traditionally recognized nutrients but which have positive physiological effects on the human body.[4] In few years ago COVID-19 disease arrives in country and more people perished due to efficiency of Nutraceuticals. Most significantly, frequent consumption of such nutraceuticals has been demonstrated to improve the immune system and prevent viral infections. Nutraceuticals such as vitamins, amino acids, herbs or herbal extracts. [5]flavonoids like curcumin, and probiotics have been explored for their function in the prevention of COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, discomfort, malaise, and dry cough.[6] Compound such as lipids, carbs, proteins, minerals and nutrients.[7] There are many over 470 nutraceutical and functional food product is available with proven health advantages.[8] Nutraceuticals are oral dietary components naturally contained in foods.[9 ]Developed as profitable health items are easily available from numerous industries sector such as food, herbal, and Pharma producing sectors. The value of such items has been connected with the therapy of numerous diseases include cancer and metabolic, depression, coronary heart disease, the common cold, and cough, prolonged gastrointestinal emptying, and number of situations that need correct attention. [10] Nutraceuticals are hybrid goods often comprising both nutrition and medications. In addition to their medical effects, they possess nutritional values, working as dietary supplements for maintaining bodily health, at the same time, providing the body with the necessary nutrition that is required for different metabolic processes and the control of normal body functions. Typically, the usage of nutraceuticals can aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases, aswell as boost physical health and the immune system, normalizing physiological functioning, and improving longevity.[11]Nutraceutical-rich vegetables and fruits are an integral component of a balanced diet.[12 ]Nutraceuticals are found in dietary supplements that offer additional health advantages sometimes called medical diets, designer foods, active foods, and dietary supplements.[13 ]The concept of nutraceutical was begun from the survey in U.K., Germany and France which indicated that diet is ranked more highly by consumers than exercise or inherited factors for reaching excellent health.[14]The broad classifications of the nutraceutical components include the antioxidants, dietary fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics and prebiotics. These components have been reported to give cardioprotective, cancer protective, hepatoprotective, wound healing etc. positive benefits for years. [15] Quality control for the official and safety of herbal product is vital. A phytochemical is determined either by identification, purity, other chemical, physical biological qualities, or production technique. [16]
Rational for the Use of Nutraceuticals:
Regular consumption of synthetic medicines used to treat a variety of illnesses may lead to serious side effects or even organ failure. In contrast, nutraceuticals derived from natural sources are generally considered safer. Many individuals do not consume a daily diet that provides sufficient fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and the appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals required to maintain optimal health. The rapid increase in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, diabetes, and obesity—often leading to premature death—is largely attributed to poor diet quality. Research indicates that rising mortality rates are linked to insufficient intake of essential foods like fruits, nuts and seeds, whole grains, vegetables, seafood, and key minerals. As a result, nutraceuticals are increasingly recognized for their role in promoting health and preventing disease. Moreover, treatment through allopathic or modern medicine is often highly expensive. While plant-derived drugs can be used for treating or preventing specific illnesses, plant-based foods serve as nutraceuticals by helping to prevent disease and offering various health benefits. [13] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 per cent of rural population depends on herbal medication for their primary treatment. [ 14] Nutraceutical functional food market in United States is 250 billion US$ whereas medicine market is 150 billion US$. Each year approximately 1000 new items arriving in market, and about 29,000 dietary supplements available in US. [ 17 ] Increasing risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol is predicted to enhance product demand over the forecast period. High expense linked with healthcare treatments has led in increased consumer interest in nutraceuticals over the past few years. [ 18]
Table No. 1: The Nutraceutical Health Supplements
|
Category |
Source |
Key Nutrient/Bioactive |
Potential Health Benefits |
|
Vitamins |
Citrus fruits, dairy, cereals |
Vitamin C, D, E, B-complex |
Immunity, skin health, bone strength, energy metabolism |
|
Minerals |
Leafy greens, nuts, dairy |
Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium |
Bone health, blood function, immune support |
|
Fiber Supplements |
Whole grains, psyllium husk |
Soluble and insoluble fiber |
Digestive health, cholesterol control, blood sugar regulation |
|
Protein Supplements |
Whey, soy, pea, casein |
Essential amino acids |
Muscle building, tissue repair, satiety |
|
Omega-3 Fatty Acids |
Fish oil, flaxseed, chia seeds |
EPA, DHA, ALA |
Heart health, brain function, anti-inflammatory effects |
|
Probiotics |
Yogurt, fermented foods |
Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium |
Gut health, digestion, immune function |
|
Antioxidants |
Berries, green tea, turmeric |
Polyphenols, flavonoids, curcumin |
Anti-aging, cancer prevention, oxidative stress reduction |
|
Herbal Extracts |
Ashwagandha, ginseng, garlic |
Adaptogens, allicin |
Stress relief, energy boost, blood pressure regulation |
|
Functional Foods |
Fortified cereals, soy, oats |
Phytosterols, isoflavones, beta-glucan |
Cholesterol control, hormone balance, heart health |
HISTORY
Hippocrates (460–377 BC), the father of modern medicine, the relationship between food and its significance for the treatment of various ailments was first identified around 2500 years ago, maximizing many benefits. Nutraceutical is constructed from of the words pharmaceutical and nutrition. The term 'nutraceutical' was invented in 1989 by DeFelice.[19 ]Nutrition necessary for health + medicines cure for sickness/injury = Nutraceuticals preventative medical strategy.[20] It is a food supplement that has a critical role in keeping the healthy body and offers necessary supplements required for various metabolic processes to control bodily functions and thus keeps the body from diseases.[21] Long voyages led in scurvy fatalities, and the facts of the study showed that the food was weak in vitamins B and C, which operate as antiscorbutics and were finally established a requirement of the diet. The deficiency of iodine in salt was also revealed to be a widespread cause of goiter. So, the health issues were detected and addressed using food and a healthy lifestyle; as a consequence, all of these cases very clearly highlight the necessity for a healthy diet and herbal components with the ability to serve.
Classification of Nutraceuticals:
Table 1: The classification into numerous classes depending on their uses is:
|
Classification of Nutraceuticals |
|||
|
1 |
Traditional Nutraceuticals |
6 |
Dietary supplements and dietary fibers |
|
2 |
Nontraditional Nutraceuticals |
7 |
Phytochemicals |
|
3 |
Fortified Nutraceuticals |
8 |
Herbals |
|
4 |
Recombinant Nutraceuticals |
9 |
Probiotics |
|
5 |
Potential and established Nutraceuticals |
10 |
Prebiotics. |
Traditional Nutraceuticals:
These classes are often sourced straight from nature, without any alterations in the original form. Various constituents such as Lycopene is found in watermelon, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, papaya, and guava and additionally contributes red color. It is a robust antioxidant compound that minimises damage to DNA and proteins and additionally offers greater pores and skin safety in opposition to extremely violet light than β-carotene. It is utilized in most cancer protection and decreases LDL levels of cholesterol and suppresses insulin-like increase elements, which induces tumor boom [22] and Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, or saponins in soya are available and used for diverse health benefits.
Nontraditional Nutraceutical:
Non-traditional nutraceuticals, as a non-conventional approach, are artificially produced foods or food products. The application of biotechnology or agriculture breeding is used to add nutritious elements for the enhancement of food characteristics and human health.Based on the processing method, non-traditional nutraceuticals may be classified into fortified and recombinant nutraceuticals. Rice fortified with β- carotene, and cereals infused with vitamins and minerals are some examples of this class of nutraceuticals which contain provitamin that can improve antioxidant activity. [23]
Fortified Nutraceuticals:
Fortified nutraceuticals are the food with agricultural breeding or with additional nutrients. Orange juice with calcium, cereals with extra vitamins or minerals, flour with added folic acid, and milk with cholecalciferol are some of the examples of fortified nutraceuticals. These foods supply the body with critical nutrients that can prevent anemia and promote health. [24] if calcium is added to certain cuisine such as orange juice, the orange juice can increase glycemic management. [25]
Recombinant Nutraceuticals:
It involves the application of biotechnology and genetic engineering in the production of energy supplying foods such as yoghurt and cheese or extraction of bioactive components by enzymatic or fermentation technologies. For high ascorbic acid concentration, gold kiwifruit has undergone genetic manipulation. [ 26]
Potential and existing Nutraceuticals:
Possible nutraceuticals are certain to have therapeutic advantages. These nutraceuticals have become established medicines only after substantial data demonstration and clinical testing for their efficacy and safety. All nutraceuticals are potential nutraceuticals but all potential nutraceuticals are not established ones. [10]
Dietary Fibre:
Dietary fibre has long been established as a nutritionally important, health-promoting food ingredient and comprised of plant-based carbohydrates that cannot be metabolised by digestive enzymes encoded in the human genome, such as amylase [.20] Dietary fibres mostly include non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) such as celluloses, hemicelluloses, gums and pectin’s, lignin, resistant dextrin’s and resistant starches. [27]
Phytochemicals:
The pharmacological evidence that chemicals in plant foods or nutraceuticals, can maintain, enhance normal or reverse declining, cognitive. Most studies relevant to cognitive decline in dementia and normal ageing have focused on the curcuminoids, especially curcumin.28 Bioactive phytochemicals from goji berries protection against oxidative damage, antidiabetic, immunoregulatory, vision protective, hepatoprotective, and prebiotic activities that are associated with the promotion of risk reduction in the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, and age-related diseases.[30
Herbals:
The traditional Indian herbal drugs are one of the oldest drugs used since humans' existence and play an important role in combating various disease conditions. During COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of AYUSH (Ayurvedic, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) in India suggested drinking ‘Kadha’, Kadha is nothing but an extract prepared from various herbal drugs, and its benefits are proven that induces immunity in individuals.[31] Various Indian herbal drugs like Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum, and Phyllanthus emblica are found to be effective in COVID-19.[32]another example Aloe Vera gel obtained from Aloe vera L. N.L. Burm. Is used to dilates capillaries, anti-inflammatory, emollient and wound healing properties. [33,34]
Probiotics:
Probiotics are part of functional foods and are proposed as one of the main mechanisms providing beneficial effects. It has been shown that the activity of the intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in the energy supply of the host. Therefore, supplementing the diet with live microorganisms, such as probiotics, helps theintestinal microbiota with this important role. Probiotic bacteria also protect the mucosal barrier of the intestinal epithelium against pathogenic microorganisms. As an example Fermented foods, such as some types of milk (which are widely consumed beverages), have been proven to be good functional foods because they contain probiotic bacteria, such as L. helveticus, capable of producing factors during milk fermentation that stimulate the production of the enzyme calcineurin. [35] Some of the studies probiotic act as antioxidant, anticancer and anti- plaque agent. Hence, it confers various health benefits like help in preventing obesity, colon cancer and arthritis.36 Yogurt, fermented tea, dark chocolates, pickles, olives are some of the food items which are rich in probiotics. [34]
Prebiotics:
The prebiotics concept was introduced for the first time in 1995 by Glenn Gibson and Marcel Roberfroid.37 Prebiotic was described as “a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health.[38] prebiotics would also be part of nutraceuticals if they are present in pill form and not in a food matrix. when they found that a diet based on the consumption of dairy products that included yogurt, fermented milk, and cheese, added with potential probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Bifidobacterium, and prebiotics or symbiotics (i.e., a mixture of both: probiotics and prebiotics), improved the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers, and reducing intestinal dysbiosis. [35]
CONCLUSION:
The reviews have clearly demonstrated the vital role that nutraceuticals play in the prevention and management of a wide range of illnesses. Increasingly, individuals are turning to nutraceuticals as a natural means of supporting their health and treating various conditions. Regular use of nutraceuticals can contribute to a healthier lifestyle by enhancing overall well-being in a natural and holistic manner.Achieving and maintaining good health involves more than just supplementation; it requires a balanced and adequate diet that includes essential macronutrients proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as well as appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals. When combined with regular physical activity and mental well-being practices, nutraceuticals can be powerful allies in promoting optimal health. In alignment with the global vision of "Health for All," nutraceuticals offer promising support in achieving this mission by contributing to disease prevention, health maintenance, and improved quality of life.
REFERENCES
Prasad Sakhare*, Kailas Jadhao, Kailash Biyani, Classification of Nutraceuticals: From Traditional Roots to Modern Innovations, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 5, 1431-1438. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15379417
10.5281/zenodo.15379417
