Introduction
As the concern for better health and longer life has grown in recent decades, nutraceuticals, which we could call a hybrid between nutrition and pharmacy, have gained increasing popularity. Also known as dietary supplements, nutraceuticals can provide health benefits, helping to maintain health before turning to prevention, treatment or cure through conventional medicine [Ronis, Pedersen, & Watt, 2018]. In recent decades, research has advanced in the field of nutraceuticals, allowing the identification and isolation of bioactive compounds from food, which can be used for therapeutic or preventive purposes [Aronson, 2017]. Thus, nutraceuticals - which are also called functional foods or supplements - have become a distinct category of products increasingly used throughout the world. The term "nutraceutical" was introduced in the 80s by dr. Stephen DeFelice, founder of the Foundation for Therapeutic Innovation, to define foods or dietary supplements that have therapeutic or preventive properties and can be used to support health [Martinović, Peršurić, & Pavelić, 2020]. So, nutraceuticals are food products or food supplements that have beneficial effects on health, being used for therapeutic or preventive purposes. These products contain bioactive substances such as vitamins, minerals, fibers, essential fatty acids, enzymes or plant extracts. To answer in more detail the question "what are nutraceuticals?", it is good to specify that the food sources used as nutraceuticals are all natural and can be classified as follows: dietary fibers, probiotics, prebiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, polyphenols, spices [Isola, 2020]. The definition of supplements adapted to the genetic profile fits very well with the words of Hippocrates: "Let food be your medicine".
Classification of nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals can be classified as traditional nutraceuticals and non-traditional nutraceuticals. Traditional nutraceuticals are natural foods that contain multiple components that provide benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as lycopene from tomatoes, omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, resveratrol from grapes, or saponins from soybeans [Sachdeva, Roy, & Bharadvaja, 2020]. Non-traditional nutraceuticals are artificial foods prepared by adding bioactive components for the general well-being of people. In turn, they can be divided into fortified and recombinant nutraceuticals. Fortified nutraceuticals are foods with agricultural reproduction or added nutrients. Orange juice with calcium, cereals with added vitamins or minerals, flour with added folic acid, and milk with cholecalciferol are some examples of fortified nutraceuticals [Travica, Teasdale, & Marx, 2023]. Foods that provide energy such as bread, alcohol, fermented starch, yogurt, cheese, vinegar and others that are produced with the help of biotechnology are called recombinant nutraceuticals. "Active substances, either from plants (phytocomplexes) or from animals, when extracted, concentrated and administered in an appropriate pharmaceutical form, can create a palette of very promising tools, useful to prevent or support the therapy of some conditions pathological, given their proven clinical efficacy" [Ablon, 2021].
Nutraceuticals basically give you everything that is most valuable in food in a concentrated form. The category of nutraceuticals includes:
- Antioxidants that play a role in fighting free radicals responsible for premature aging;
- Essential fatty acids from fatty fish, seeds and nuts, beneficial for the cardiovascular system, vision, skin and brain health
- Vitamins, such as vitamin C, powerful antioxidant, and vitamin D3 very important for the health of bones, muscles and the immune system, vitamin A, E, B6, B9, B12, etc.
- Probiotics necessary for the health of the digestive system;
- Food fibers available in fruits and vegetables, useful for good digestion;
- Proline, collagen precursor, helps skin elasticity, delaying aging processes.
- Aromatic plants and spices with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [Houston, 2013].
Beta glucans (ß-glucans) are non-starch polysaccharides composed of glucose molecules, which are part of the so-called "soluble fibers". They are present in many cereals (especially abundant in barley and oats), but also in the cell walls of common yeast [Ciecierska, et al., 2019].
Fructo-oligosaccharides are carbohydrates that are also part of soluble fiber because they are made up of small chains of fructose. They have a prebiotic effect, that is, their presence stimulates the growth of beneficial intestinal flora, consisting mainly of bifid bacteria [Bali, et al., 2015].
Folic acid (also known as vitamin B9 or folacin) is a water-soluble vitamin required for DNA synthesis and repair, as well as for many other important biochemical reactions, particularly involving the intense phases of cell multiplication [Viswanathan, et al., 2023].
The role of nutraceuticals for health
The role of nutraceuticals is to provide health benefits by helping to prevent or treat certain conditions. These nutraceutical products are used to improve general health, prevent disease and support the treatment of existing conditions. For example, some nutraceuticals may help lower cholesterol levels or regulate blood sugar levels, while others may help prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer. Nutraceuticals can also be used to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, or improve physical and mental performance, thus also contributing to longevity [Das, et al., 2012].
Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases
Some nutraceuticals, such as Omega 3, antioxidants and polyphenols, can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improving blood pressure and reducing inflammation [Jain, et al., 2018].
There are numerous scientific studies that have examined the effects of nutraceuticals on cardiovascular disease, with some showing that certain nutraceuticals may be effective in preventing or treating cardiovascular disease, while others have not provided conclusive results.
Some Omega 3 compounds, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Some researchers believe that the beneficial effects of Omega 3 on cardiovascular health are due to the ability of these fatty acids to reduce inflammation and improve blood lipid levels [Rastogi, Pandey, & Rawat, 2017].
Also, some studies suggest that antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. Other studies have shown that polyphenols, bioactive compounds found in many foods and plants, including tea, red wine, and dark chocolate, can help reduce inflammation and blood pressure and improve endothelial function, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. And sterols and stanols, compounds found in some foods such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, can help lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting its absorption in the gut [Rastogi, Pandey, & Rawat, 2016].
Coenzyme Q10, an organic substance produced naturally in the body and converted to its active form, ubiquinol, plays an essential role in creating cellular energy and protecting heart health and more. Ubiquinone is found in very small amounts in meat, including fish, and in even smaller amounts in nuts and leafy green vegetables, so a quality ubiquinol supplement may be more beneficial to your health [Wal, et al., 2024].
Cancer prevention and treatment
Certain nutraceuticals, such as antioxidants, sulforaphane, and indoles, may help prevent or treat cancer by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and inhibiting tumor growth.
Scientific studies on the role of nutraceuticals in cancer prevention and treatment have provided mixed results, but research continues to better understand their effects [De Pergola, et al., 2023].
Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, selenium and beta-carotene, are compounds that help neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause cell damage and contribute to cancer. Studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, but other studies have not confirmed these protective effects.
About curcumin, a bioactive compound present in turmeric, preclinical and clinical studies suggest that it may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, particularly against colorectal, breast, and skin cancer. However, the doses needed to achieve these effects are generally higher than those found in food or supplements [Choudhury, Kumar, & Choudhury, 2024].
Polyphenols may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast and colon. However, some studies have failed to find a significant link between polyphenol consumption and reduced cancer risk [Román, et al., 2019].
Probiotics, those beneficial gut-healthy bacteria found in foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, can help reduce inflammation and improve immune system function, which can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer [Legesse Bedada, et al., 2020].
Supporting the proper functioning of the immune system
Some nutraceuticals, such as vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea, can help strengthen the immune system and protect the body against infection.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and essential for the functioning of the immune system. Studies suggest that vitamin C supplements can help reduce the duration and severity of common colds and boost immune function in people with vitamin C deficiency [Barrea, et al., 2021].
Vitamin D is essential for bone and immune health, and research indicates that vitamin D supplements may help reduce the risk of respiratory infections and improve immune function in people with vitamin D deficiency [Johnson, & Thacher, 2023].
Zinc is an essential mineral for the immune system and for maintaining healthy skin and hair, and researchers say zinc supplements can help reduce the duration and severity of common colds and improve immune function in people with zinc deficiency [Bonaventura, et al., 2015].
Probiotics, as mentioned, can also help maintain a healthy immune system. Studies suggest that probiotics can reduce inflammation and improve immune function, which can further decrease the risk of infections.
Some nutraceuticals, such as caffeine, creatine, and Omega 3, can help improve physical and mental performance, including increasing energy, improving focus and memory, and reducing fatigue.
Creatine is a natural compound present in the human body and in foods such as meat and fish. Studies suggest that taking nutraceuticals with creatine can increase muscle strength, anaerobic performance, and exercise capacity, which may be beneficial for athletes participating in activities that require short, intense exertion [Spriet, 2022].
Caffeine is a stimulant found in beverages such as coffee, tea and energy drinks. Studies suggest that caffeine intake can enhance physical performance by increasing energy levels, reducing fatigue and improving mental focus [Zaragoza, et al., 2019].
Supporting digestive health
Certain nutraceuticals, such as probiotics and prebiotics, can help maintain a healthy gut flora and prevent digestive conditions such as constipation, diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease [Combes, et al., 2013].
The risks of nutraceuticals
Even though nutraceuticals are generally considered safe, they can have some risks:
Nutraceuticals may interact with medications
Some nutraceuticals can interact with prescription medications or other dietary supplements, which can negatively affect the effectiveness of the treatment and lead to unwanted side effects. Therefore, if you are on medication, do not take nutraceuticals without first talking to your doctor [Asher, Corbett, & Hawke, 2017].
In large doses, they can have negative health effects
Overdosing on nutraceuticals can lead to unwanted side effects - nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain or allergies - so it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the product packaging. If you experience side effects while using nutraceuticals, you should immediately stop taking them and seek medical advice [Abdulabbas Hasan, et al., 2023].
They may be counterfeit or of poor quality
Low-quality or counterfeit nutraceuticals may contain ingredients that are unsafe for health or may be contaminated with bacteria or other harmful substances. That's why it's important to buy nutraceuticals from trusted manufacturers and check the product label before purchasing [Shields, et al., 2023].
Finally, it is important to note that nutraceuticals can have beneficial effects on health, but they do not replace drugs and cannot be considered as a substitute for medical treatments prescribed by a specialist, they therefore have an adjuvant role. Therefore, if you are thinking of trying some nutraceutical products, it is recommended to seek the advice of a doctor or a specialist in the field of nutrition.
Conclusion
The role of nutraceuticals is an adjuvant one, contributing to maintaining a general state of well-being from a physical and psycho-emotional point of view. They may contain one or more types of nutrients that complement those obtained through food, with a role in supporting biological processes, such as the reduction of excess free radicals or cell renewal. The role of nutraceuticals is mainly an adjuvant one, contributing to maintaining a general state of well-being from a physical and psycho-emotional point of view. They support several biological processes, such as the fight against free radicals, cell renewal or gene expression.
Acknowledgement
None.
Conflict of Interest
None.
