Nutraceuticals: in present scenario

Mitali Mishra, Hemant Kumar

Department of Biotechnology, Dr. A.I.T.H., Kanpur- 208024, India The term1 nutraceutical was coined from nutrition and pharmaceutical in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice. These are defined as product isolated or purified from foods and sold in medicinal forms2. They have physiological benefits. Such products may range from isolated nutrients dietary supplements and diets to genetically engineered designer foods, herbal products and processed foods such as cereals, soups, beverages. Quality of life in terms of income spending and life style has improved with economic developments. However, it also throws up a major challenge in the form of life style diseases. The first victim of this life style change has been food habits. Consumption of junk food has increased manifold, which has led to a number of diseases related to nutritional deficiencies. Nutraceuticals can play important role in controlling them. Nutraceuticals used in various diseases, Alzheimers disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity disease, cancer etc. The movement from treatment to prevention stimulates demand for nutraceuticals. The old proverb an apple a day will keep the doctor away can now be replaced by a nutraceutical a day may keep the doctor away.