Journal of Global Biosciences
ISSN 2320-1355
Volume 4, Number 7, 2015, pp. 2790-2794
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Research Paper
NUTRACEUTICAL – MEDICINE OF FUTURE
Mamta Kumari1, Shashi Jain2 and Jagdeep Singh3
1AssistantProfessor,
Polytechnic in Home Science, JAU, Amreli-365601, Gujarat.
2Professor,
Deptt of Food & Nutrition,
College of Home Science, MPUAT,
Udaipur, Rajasthan-313001, India.
3 PhD Scholar, Deptt of Management,
Pacific Academy of Higher Education & Research,
Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Abstract
Traditional use of medicines is recognized as a way to learn about potential
future medicines. The World Health Organization estimates that 80 percent of
the world's population presently uses herbal medicine for some aspect of
primary health care. The concept of nutraceutical has been accepted
internationally. The terms “functional foods” and “nutraceuticals” are emerging
out of benefits from foods that go beyond those attributable to essential
nutrients. In recent years there is a growing interest in nutraceuticals which
provide health benefits and are alternative to modern medicine. Nutrients,
herbals and dietary supplements are major constituents of nutraceuticals which
make them instrumental in maintaining health, act against various disease
conditions and thus promote the quality of life.
Key words: Nutraceutical, functional foods, dietary supplements, herbal, quality of
life.
INTRODUCTION
Today consumers are strongly concerned about their food habits, health and lifestyle.
With globalisation and economic development the quality of life has improved. Besides
development a major challenge in the form of lifestyle diseases has also grown up. Consumption
of junk food has increased manifold, which has led to a number of diseases related to nutritional
deficiencies. Nutraceuticals can play an important role in controlling them. The word
Nutraceutical arises from two broad terms- “Nutrition” and “Pharmaceutical”. These products
may range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements and specific diets to genetically
engineered designer foods and herbal products [1, 2]. Nutraceuticals can be defined as
“alternative beneficial products designed wholly or partly from food that maintains optimal
health and act against nutritionally induced diseases, thereby promoting the quality of life.”
IMPORTANCE
From the consumers’ point of view functional foods and nutraceuticals offer many benefits.
• Increase the health value of our diet.
Journal of Global Biosciences Vol. 4(7), 2015 pp. 2790-2794
ISSN 2320-1355
• Help us live longer.
• Help us to avoid particular medical conditions
• Perceived to be more "natural" than traditional medicine and less likely to produce
unpleasant side-effects
• May present food for populations with special needs (e.g. nutrient-dense foods for the
elderly) [3].
• Used for the prevention, treatment or cure of a condition or disease
• It can be administered with a view to restoring, correcting or modifying physiological
functions in human beings.
• Nutraceuticals not only supplement the diet but also aid in the prevention and/or treatment
of disease and/or disorder.
• Nutraceuticals are represented for use as a conventional food or as the sole item of meal or
diet [4].
CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRACEUTICALS:
In order to distinguish between the wide varieties of products there are multiple different
types of products that fall under the category of nutraceuticals:
1) Dietary supplements
A dietary supplement is a product that contains nutrients derived from food products that
are concentrated in liquid or capsule form. Dietary supplements include- Vitamins, minerals, co-
enzyme Q, carnitine, etc. The Dietary Supplementation Health Education Act (DSHEA) formally
defined "dietary supplement" using several criteria. A dietary supplement:
• is a product (other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet that bears or
contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a vitamin, a mineral, an herb or
other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by
increasing the total daily intake, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or
combinations of these ingredients.
• is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form.
• is not represented for use as conventional food or as the sole item of a meal/ diet.
• is labelled as a "dietary supplement."
• includes products such as an approved new drug, certified antibiotic, or licensed biologic
that was marketed as a dietary supplement or food before approval, certification, or license
(unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services waives this provision) [4].
2) Functional Foods
Functional foods are designed to allow eating enriched foods close to their natural state,
rather than by taking dietary supplements manufactured in liquid or capsule form. Sometimes,
additional complementary nutrients are added, such as vitamin D to milk [5]. (E.g. Oats, bran,
psyllium and lignins for heart disease and colon cancer Prebiotics - oligofructose for control of
intestinal flora, Canola oil with lowered triglycerides for cholesterol reduction, etc.
3) Medical Foods
Medical foods are foods that are specially formulated and intended for the dietary
management of a disease that has distinctive nutritional needs that cannot be met by normal
diet alone [6]. Medical foods aren’t available as an over-the-counter product to consumers. The
FDA considers medical foods to be “formulated to be consumed or administered internally
under the supervision of a physician, and which is intended for the specific dietary management
of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, on the basis of
recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” Medical foods can be
ingested through the mouth or through tube feeding. Medical foods are closely monitored by
medical supervision.
4) Farmaceuticals
The term farmaceuticals is more frequently associated, in agricultural circles, with medical
applications of genetically engineered crops or animals. Farmaceutical is a melding of the words
farm and pharmaceuticals. It refers to medically valuable compounds produced from modified
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Journal of Global Biosciences Vol. 4(7), 2015 pp. 2790-2794
ISSN 2320-1355
agricultural crops or animals (usually through biotechnology). E.g. Transgenic cows and
lactoferrin for immune enhancement, transgenic plants for oral vaccination against infectious
diseases. [7].
DEVELOPMENT OF NUTRACEUTICALS:
i) Identification of components:
Numerous nutraceuticals currently are on the market. Table1 represents some of available
nutraceuticals, their components and their potential human health benefits.
Table1. Nutraceuticals available in the market
COMPONENTS SOURCES HEALTH BENEFITS
CAROTENOIDS
• Beta-carotene Carrots, various fruits Neutralizes free radicals, which may
damage cells; bolsters cellular
antioxidant defences
• Lycopene Tomatoes and processed May contribute to maintenance of
tomato products prostate health
DIETARY FIBER
Insoluble fiber Wheat bran May contribute to maintenance of a
healthy digestive tract
FATTY ACIDS
Monosaturated fatty acids Tree nuts May reduce risk of coronary heart
disease
FLAVONOIDS
Flavonols Onions, apples, tea, broccoli Neutralize free radicals, which may
damage cells; bolster cellular antioxidant
defences
ISOTHIOCYANATES
Sulforaphane Cauliflower, broccoli, May enhance detoxification of
cabbage, kale, horseradish undesirable compounds and bolster
cellular antioxidant defences
PHENOLS
Caffeic acid, ferulic acid Apples, pears, citrus fruits, May bolster cellular antioxidant
some vegetables defences; may contribute to
maintenance of vision & heart health
PLANT STANOLS/STEROLS
Stanol/sterol esters Fortified table spreads, May reduce risk of coronary heart
stanol ester dietary disease
supplements
POLYOLS
Sugar, alcohols (xylitol, sorbitol, Some chewing gums and May reduce risk of dental caries
mannitol, lactitol) other food applications (cavities)
PREBIOTICS/PROBIOTICS
Lactobacilli, bifidobacteria Yogurt, other dairy and non May improve gastrointestinal health and
dairy applications systematic immunity
PHYTOESTROGENS
Isoflavones(daidzein, genistein) Soybeans and soy-based May contribute to maintenance of bone
foods health, healthy brain and immune
functions; for women, maintenance of
menopausal health
SOY PROTEIN
Soy protein Soybeans and soy-based May reduce risk of coronary heart
foods disease
SULFIDES/THIOLS
Dithiolthiones Cruciferous vegetables May contribute to maintenance of
healthy immune function
Source: [8,9]
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Journal of Global Biosciences Vol. 4(7), 2015 pp. 2790-2794
ISSN 2320-1355
Development of products:
The development of nutraceutical requires a multidimensional approach.
• Either the whole food: Nutraceuticals are developed by incorporating the whole food
which contains the desired property into the product during processing. They can be mixed
either in the form of powder or juice extract. For e.g. Alma powder, fruit juices mixture etc.
• Active component separation: This technique involves isolation or purification of the
active compound from the food and it is incorporated in other food to have physiological
benefit or provide protection against diseases. For e.g. curcumin from turmeric, allyl sulphur
compounds from onion and garlic, EPA and DHA from fish oils etc.
In recent years however, as food composition has been scientifically proven to cause
life-style related diseases, and has become social issue. The concept of nutraceutical with
new function to prevent diseases was started by the combination of genome science and
technology, which has been accomplishing remarkable development for the verification.
Thus, the genome technique called Nutrigenomics was created. Nutrigenomics is a newly
developed methodology combined with multiple genomic techniques and molecular biology
technologies. It has been then used as a basic technology that became a driving force for the
creation of Nutraceuticals.
For diseases expected to increase in number, but can be prevented by lifestyle change,
such as metabolic syndromes, the patients are required to positively change their lifestyles.
One of the solutions is to change their diet. Nutraceuticals should contribute to prevention
of such diseases. For nutraceuticals, there are three key issues of the technology:
Establishment of scientific assessment standard for prevention of disease,
Establishment of assessment system for disease prevention by human trials and
Establishment of seamless system to transfer stage from basic research to
industrialization.
PRESENT MARKET SCENERIO IN INDIA AND ABROAD
Global market of nutraceutical is very huge. Nutraceuticals are hugely popular among
consumers in the U.S. and other parts of the world. In Japan, England and other countries,
nutraceuticals already have become part of the dietary landscape. Indian nutraceutical market
is in infant stage but growing at very fast rate. Indian society has always been open to new
concepts and quick to adapt. Due to increased physician acceptance of the medical benefits of
nutritional products increased market demand of nutraceuticals. Consumers dissatisfied with
drug costs and conventional healthcare are turning to unproven and untested natural products
for treatment and prevention.
The expanding nutraceutical market indicates that end users are seeking minimally
processed food with extra nutritional benefits and organoleptic value. This development, in
turn, is propelling expansion in the nutraceutical markets globally. Future demand of
nutraceutical depends on consumer perception of the relationship between diet and disease.
FOCUS ON INDIA
India has a long heritage of traditional medicine, which includes a conglomerate of
Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. It is one of the greatest living traditions and maintains a highly
respectable place in the officially recognized healthcare system of the country. In recent times,
the Indian healthcare market has emerged as a new and profitable growth avenue for both
existing players and new entrants. The Indian healthcare industry has been seen to offer
investors a cheap entry into the relatively stable consumer and retail segment, which is
benefiting from rising consumer sentiments and affluence. According to Cygnus estimates,
nutraceutical market in 2007 was INR 18.75 billion [10]. Total market for nutraceutical in India
is valued at INR 44 bn in 2009; it is estimated to reach INR 95 bn in 2013.
India has now become a centre of attraction for everyone because of its huge population.
In fact, India is currently experiencing massive internal consumption, due to a prosperous
middle class, which has the money to invest in "nutraceutical" products. The middle class has
doubled and today is the fastest growing portion of the population. In the last 60 years of
independence India has met remarkable educational goals and today has moved beyond basic
food security issues. India has also evolved from a savings economy to consumption economy.
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Journal of Global Biosciences Vol. 4(7), 2015 pp. 2790-2794
ISSN 2320-1355
Also called the "Fast Moving Consumer Goods" (FMCG) category, the "mainstream market" for
India includes most personal care products, cosmetics and toiletries, but few healthy product
options. This class of consumers is indeed a primary target for many companies. Also India has
untapped market of Ayurveda and other medicinal plants, and because of these reasons
everyone is rushing to India.
CONCLUSION
In recent years there is a growing interest in nutraceuticals which provide health
benefits and are alternative to modern medicine. Nutraceuticals hold great potential for the
future because they are convenient for today’s lifestyle. Consumer interest in the relationship
between diet and health has increased the demand for information on nutraceuticals. Although
nutraceuticals have significant promise in the promotion of human health and disease
prevention, long-term clinical studies are required to scientifically validate the nutraceuticals in
various medical conditions. State is not far where nutraceuticals will be our preferred
prescription of tomorrow.
REFERENCES:
1) Brower, B, 1998, Nutraceuticals: Poised for a healthy slice of the market, Nature
Biotechnology, 16, 728-33.
2) Mannion, M, 1998, Nutraceutical revolution continues at foundation for innovation in
medicine conference. American Journal of Natural Medicine, 5, 30-3.
3) Pandey, M., Verma, R.K., and Saraf, S.A, 2010, In: Nutraceuticals: new era of medicine and
health. Department of Pharmaceutics, Babu Banarasi Das National Institute of Technology
and Management, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. India.
4) Dietary Supplementation Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), Public Law 103-417,
25, Codified at 42 USC 287C-11.
5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutraceutical#Functionalfoods
6) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_food
7) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutraceutical#Farmaceuticals
8) Brief issue, 2007, Prepared by north corolina association for biomedical research.
9) Taylor, C.L, 2004, Regulatory frameworks for functional foods and dietary supplements,
Nutrition Review, 62, 55-9.
10) Hasler, C.M, 2005, Regulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals: A global perspective, 1st
Edn., Blackwell publishing, USA., pp 432, ISBN-13: 978-0813811772.
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