Nutraceuticals, a term coined from the words "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical," refer to products derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to their basic nutritional value. These products are often used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, or support the structure or function of the body. They range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements, and diets to genetically engineered foods, herbal products, and processed foods such as cereals, soups, and beverages. The concept hinges on the idea that certain natural substances found in foods have medicinal effects that can promote health and prevent disease.
The term "nutraceutical" was first used in 1989 by Dr. Stephen DeFelice, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine. This coined term highlights his proposition that certain foods and food-derived products contain compounds beneficial for health beyond basic nutrition. For example, lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, has been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. Similarly, omega-3 fatty acids, commonly sourced from fish oil, have been shown to improve heart health and reduce inflammation. These examples underscore the functional capacity of nutraceuticals in disease prevention and health promotion.
The market for nutraceuticals has been growing rapidly with increasing health awareness among consumers and more scientific evidence supporting their benefits. This sector encompasses a wide range of products under categories like functional foods, dietary supplements, and medical foods. A functional food, for instance, is a modified food that claims to improve health or well-being by providing a particular benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains. An example is yogurt fortified with probiotics, which aids in digestion and enhances gut health. This burgeoning market is driven by an aging population, rising healthcare costs, and a growing preference for natural products over pharmaceutical drugs.
Regulatory bodies have a significant role in the oversight of nutraceuticals, ensuring they are safe and their health claims are scientifically substantiated. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the regulation of food and dietary supplements but with different provisions compared to pharmaceuticals. The challenge lies in classifying whether a product falls under the category of a food or a drug, as this determines the level of regulatory scrutiny it undergoes. Manufacturers must navigate these regulatory waters carefully to comply with safety standards and efficacy claims. As research advances and more biomarkers for various diseases are discovered, the potential for nutraceuticals to play a pivotal role in preventive healthcare is immense, setting a new frontier in the intersection of food and medicine.