Nutraceuticals

Supriya Shidhaye
LET FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE AND MEDICINE
BE OUR FOOD

The Philosophy behind is “Focus on Prevention”

 INTRODUCTION
• The term nutraceutical was originally defined by Dr. Stephen L. DeFelice, “a
product isolated or purified from foods, and generally sold in medicinal
forms not usually associated with food and demonstrated to have a
physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease.
• Nutraceuticals or functional foods are special foods that have components or
ingredients incorporated in them to give a specific medicinal or physiological
benefits other than a purely nutritional effect .
 Benefits of Nutraceuticals
May increase the health value of our diet.
May help us live longer.
May help us to avoid particular medical conditions.
May have a psychological benefit from doing something for
oneself.
May be 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)
 Classification of Nutraceuticals
Neutraceuticals can be classified based on:
Natural source (Food Source)
Pharmacological conditions
Chemical constitution
 A/C TO THEIR FOOD SOURCE
Plants – Lycopene, curcumin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, catechins,
pectin, elagic acid.
Animals –conjugated lenoleic acid (CLA), DHA(docosahexaenoic acid), EPA
(Ecosa pentanoic acid), choline.
Microorganism - Bifidobacterium, Lactobacilli, Yeast, Streptococcus.
 According to Pharmacological Action
Sr. Condition Nutraceuticals
No.
1 Allergy relief Ginko biloba
2 Arthritis support Glucosaamine
3 Cancer prevention Flax seed, Green tea
4 Cardiac disease Garlic
5 Cholestrol lowering Garlic
6 Digestive support Digestive enzyme
7 Diabetic support Garlic, Momordica
8 Femalr hormon Black coshosh, False
support Unicorn

9 Immunomoduletors Ginseng
10 Prostate support Tomato lycopene
According to Chemical Nature
 Minerals

S.NO CLASS EXAMPLE

1 In organic Minerals Minerals
2 Probiotic Helpful Bacteria
3 Prebiotic Digestive Enzymes
4 Dietary Fibers Fibers
5 Antioxidants Natural Antioxidant
6 Herbs as Health food Flax seed, Methi
7 Phytochemicals Omega 3 fatty acid,
 INORGANIC MINERAL SUPPLEMENT
•Calcium: for bone loss & prevention
•Magnesium: involved in 300 enzymatic rxn & in maintanance of
calcium.

•Manganese: Enzymatic rxn & bone & cartilage formation

•Boron: for calcium & estrogen level in women
•Copper: for all tissue (absorb when bound with Aa)
•Zinc: Antioxodent system by scavanging free radicals
•Phosphorus: Maintain bone structure & plasma formation
•Silicon: Bone formation & calsification.
•Vitamin: B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, A, E, K
 PROBIOTICS
• Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate
amounts, confer a health benefit on the host
Species of Lactobacillus
Bifidobacterium
yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
some E. coli and Bacillus species are also used as probiotics
 PREBIOTICS
• Nondigestible substances that provide a beneficial physiological effect for
the host by selectively stimulating the favorable growth of a limited
number of indigenous bacteria.
• Commonly known prebiotics are:
Oligofructose
Inulin
Galacto-oligosaccharides
Lactulose
 DIETRY FIBER
Dietary fibers are of two types:
Water insoluble fibers
Water soluble fibers
• Daily recommended intake is 30-40 gms.
Example:
• Whole grain cereals, wheat products.
• Oats , dried beans, legumes.
 ANTIOXIDANTS
•Antioxidants are of 3 categories:
1. True antioxidants
2. Reducing agents
3. Antioxidant synergists
•Deficiency causes diseases like cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, alzheimers
disease, cardiovascular diseases.
 MEDICAL FOODS
• Medical foods aren’t available as an over-thecounter 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.”Nutraceuticals
and supplements do not meet these requirements and are not classified as
Medical Foods.
 PHYTO CHEMICALS RICH FOODS AS
NUTRACEUTICALS

• Phytochemicals improve glycemic control, reduce HbA1c and

triglyceride levels, enhance antioxidant defense system, attenuated
oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, decreased the risk of
diabetic retinopathy.
• Stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas, modulate glucose
release from the liver, activate insulin receptors and glucose uptake
in insulin-sensitive tissue, and modulate intracellular signaling
pathways and gene expression
 DIABETES
• Diabetes mellitus is characterized by abnormally high levels of blood glucose,
either due to insufficient insulin production, or due to its ineffectiveness.

• The most common forms of diabetes are type I diabetes (5%), an autoimmune
disorder, and type II diabetes (95%), which is associated with obesity.
 DIABETES
• Herbal dietary supplements that are believed to benefit type II diabetes
mellitus, few have been proven to do so in properly designed randomized
trials.

• Isoflavones are phytoestrogens.

• A high soy isoflavone intake (20–100 mg/ day) is associated with lower
incidence and mortality rate of type II diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis
and certain cancers.
 DIABETES
Psyllium have been used extensively in processed food to aid weight reduction,
for glucose control in diabetic patients and to reduce lipid levels in
hyperlipidemia.

Good magnesium status reduces diabetes risk and improves insulin sensitivity.

Chromium picolinate, calcium and vitamin D appear to promote insulin

sensitivity and improve glycemic control in some diabetics.
 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), is the name for the group of disorders of
the heart and blood vessels; it includes hypertension, coronary heart
disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease,
etc.

• Now a days, Nutraceuticals in the form of antioxidants, dietary fibres,

omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), vitamins and minerals
are recommended, together with physical exercise for the prevention and
treatment of CVD.
 FLAVONOIDS
• Flavonoids are widely distributed in onion, cruciferous vegetables, black grapes, red
wine, grapefruits, apples, cherries and berries.
• Flavonoids in plants are available as
Flavones (containing the flavonoid apigenin found in chamomile);
Flavanones (hesperidins – citrus fruits; silybin – milk thistle) and
Flavonols (tea: quercetin, kaempferol and rutin grapefruit; rutin buckwheat;
ginkgo flavonglycosides - ginkgo).
• Flavonoid play a major role in curing cardiovascular diseases.
• Flavonoids block the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that raises blood
pressure; by blocking the “suicide” enzyme cyclooxygenase that breaks down
prostaglandins; they prevent platelet stickiness, and hence, platelet aggregation.

• Flavonoids also protect the vascular system and strengthen the tiny capillaries that
carry oxygen and essential nutrients to all cells. Flavonoids block the enzymes that
produce estrogen, thus reducing the risk of estrogen-induced
 CVD
• Fatty acids of the omega-3 series (n-3 fatty acids) present in fish are well
established dietary components affecting plasma lipids and preventing
major cardiovascular disorders, such as arrhythmias.
 CHOLOESTEROL
• Phytosterols compete with dietary cholesterol by blocking the uptake as well as
facilitating its excretion from the body.

• Phytosterols in diet have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality from
cardiovascular disease. Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (common buckwheat or
sweet buckwheat) seeds possess proteins, flavonoids, flavonesphytosterols,
thiamin- binding proteins etc.
 CANCER

• Cancer has emerged as a major public health problem in developing countries, to

match its occurrence in industrialized nations.

• A healthy lifestyle and diet can help in preventing cancer.

• People who consume large amount of lutein-rich foods such as chicken, eggs,
spinach, tomatoes, oranges and leafy greens experience the lowest incidence of
colon cancer.
 CANCER
• Phyto estrogens, is recommended for the prevention of prostate/breast cancer.

• Flavonoids found in citrus fruit appear to offer protection against cancer by acting
as antioxidants.

• Soy foods are a unique dietary source of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein and
biochanin), which have been shown to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth.

• Lycopene is a major carotenoid and is found almost exclusively in tomatoes,

watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit and papaya.
 CANCER

• Phenolics such as ferulic, caffeic, gallic acids and curcumin are reported to
possess anticancer activity.

• Glucosinolates, closely-related sulfur compounds, are found in cruciferous

vegetables including the Brassica crops – Brussels sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, cabbage, watercress, oilseeds like rape and mustard.
 GASTRO INTESTINAL DISEASES

• Gastritis: Certain flavonoids show anti-ulcer activity and help in prevention of

gastric mucosal lesions. The bioactive component of aloe vera is reported to help
in prevention of stress-induced gastric ulceration in the rats . Similarly, curcumin
has proven to be effective in improving endoscopic healing of pepticulcers.
• Constipation: A fiber rich diet can relieve constipation. Botanical laxatives
such as senna, frangula, aloe, rhubarb and cascara are used in the treatment of
constipation. Some natural fibers present in skin of vegetables and fruits, leafy
vegetables, buckwheat seed proteins have beneficial role in constipation.
 DIARROHEA

• The discomfort caused from diarrhea is due to excessive fluid loss followed by
dehydration.

• Affected individuals are advised to take herbal drinks like peppermint tea,
rosemary, lemon, orange, and catnip to get relief.

• They can be beneficial in stopping diarrhea due to the presence of tannin which
plays an important role in contracting the human tissue which results in fluid
retention in the body.
 IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

• Irritable bowel syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a

serious health concern among western societies.
• The disease is also on the rise in some East Asian countries and in
Australia.
• Health professionals and dietitians around the world are facing an
unprecedented challenge to prevent and control the increasing
prevalence of IBD.
• Diets and functional foods are two of the most potential alternative
therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Dietary supplementation of probiotics and non-starch polysaccharides
demonstrated strong therapeutic actions on IBD.
• There are two common forms of IBD, namely, ulcerative colitis (UC) and
Crohn’s disease (CD), which are generally associated with diarrhea,
nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, rectal bleeding, weight loss, anxiety,
 PROBIOTICS

• Probiotics are described as live microorganisms that benefit humans by promoting

gut health and the immune system upon ingestion in an acceptable amount.
• Numerous possible mechanisms through which probiotic bacteria exert their
beneficial effects have been proposed.
• Probiotics can reduce harmful microorganisms and maintain the microbial balance
inside the gut by blocking the site of adhesion, competing for nutrients, and killing
pathogenic microorganisms. Lactic acid bacteria
• Dietary fibers and prebiotics, Goat milk oligosaccharide, Inulin, Vitamin
D3, cellulose, glucomannan, glucan, pectin, inulin, and oligosaccharides
have exhibited anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions.
• Vitamins Fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A and D have protective
roles against the pathogenesis.
 HERBS AS HEALTH FOOD

• Syn: Wilayati gawuth, lusan

• Source: dried seeds & whole flowering plant of Medicago sativa
• Family: Leguminosae
• GS: PB,GJ,MH,UP,TN
• Constituents:
Leaves: Carotenoids, Triterpenoid saponin (medicagenic acid),isoflavonoids
(genistein, daidzein)
Seeds: L-canavaine, betaine, trigonelline , Protein, amino acids, Vitamins,
minerals , enzymes
•
• Indications:
•Principal: Hypercholesterolemia; source of nutrients including vitamins
•Major: Diabetes; malfunctioning of thyroid gland
•Minor: Kidney, bladder & prostate disorders: asthma & arthritis
•Contraindications:
pregnancy & breast feeding
•Dose:
5-10 g dried herb three times daily; 5-10 ml liquid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol,
three times daily
•Classical Use:
Nutritive, digestive aid, ulcer, nervousness & insomnia
•
 CHICORY

•Syn: Kaasani
•Source: dried leaves & roots of Cichorium intybus
•Family: Compositae
•GS: Europe, US, Canda
• Constituents: Escutetin glycoside: flavonoids, tannin, triterpenoids,
unsaturated sterols, umbelliferon, scopoline
Indications:
•Principal: loss of appetite & dyspepsia
Other: Jaundice, gall bladder, liver problem, intestinal worms &
diabete.
Dose:
•Infusion: 2-4 g single
•Powder: 3 g daily
 FENUGREEK
• Syn: Medhika, Methi
•Source: dried ripe seeds of Trigonella foenum- graecum

•Family: Leguminosae

• GS: tropical-subtropical region

•Constituents: Steroidal saponin, fenugreekine, trigonellin, diosgenin

•Indication:
• Principal: diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia,
• Major: Digestive aid, increase milk production, ulcer,
• Minor: upper respiratory tract infection, menopausal symptoms, arthritis
• External: •Local inflammation, wound, burn, eczema and boils
•Dose:
• Internal: 6 g of drug
• External: 50 g of drug in 250 ml water
•
 GARLIC

•Syn: Lasun
•Source: dried bulbs of Allium sativum
•Family: Liliaceae
•GS: Central asia, India
•Constituents: sulphur containing compounds disulphides: allicin, allyl
propyl disulphide, diallyldisulphide oxide, inorganic materials, methyl allyl
trisulphide, scordinins, selenium
•
Indication:
•Principal: hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidaemia,
•Major: ear infection, vaginitis, helicobacter pylori infection, cold.
• Minor: GI aid, spasm, digestive aid, flatulence
Contraindication:
• 10 days before elective surgery
•Dose:
• One fresh garlic clove 1 to 2 times daily
• 4 g of garlic
• 8 ml of essential oil
 HONEY

•Syn: Madhu .
•Source: sugar secretion deposited in honey comb by bees Apis mellifera, Apis dorsata
•Family: Apidae Order: Hymenoptera
•GS: Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, California
•Constituents: glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, gum, traces of succinic acid, acetic
acid, dextrin, formic acid, coloring mattervitamin traces, Proteins
•Enzyme: Invertase, diastase, inulase,
•Indication: nutritive, in cough
•
 AMLA

• Syn: Amalaki, Indian gooseberry

•Source: dried ripe fruits of Phyllanthus emblica
•Family: Euphorbiaceae
•GS: India, Srilanka, Myanmar
•Constituents: Hydrolysable tannins: Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, vitamin C,
amino acids, phyllemblin
Indication:
•As a rejuvenative herb, it nourishes body tissues and accelerates the cell
regeneration process.
•As a powerful antioxidant, Emblic Myrobalan helps scavenge free radicals
linked to premature aging.
•It helps in building the body’s immune system and provides resistance
against many diseases, especially those of the respiratory tract.
 GINSENG

• Syn: Ninjin
• Source: dried roots of Panax ginseng (Korea), Panax quinquefolium (US)
• Family: Araliaceae
• Constituents:
• Ginsenosides: dammarol
• Panaxosides: oleanic acid, panaxodiol, panaxotriol
•Indication:
• Principal: physical-mental exhaustion, stress, fatigue
• Major: hyperglycemia, erectile dysfunction, menopausal symptoms, aging, CVS
•Contraindication: •Coronary thrombosis, acute illness, pregnancy
•Dose:
Decoction: 0.6-2 g daily in the morning
 ASHWAGANDHA

•Syn: Withania
•Source: dried roots of Withania somnifera
•Family: Solanaceae
•GS: India
•Constituents: triacontane, dihydroxystigmasterol, amino acid
Alkaloid: withanine, somnine
Steroid lactone: Withanolides, withaferine A, withanone
•Indication: sedative, alterative, diuretic, emetic, dyspepsia, flatulence,
liver complains, asthma, nervic tonic
• Dose: 3-6 g
 SPIRULINA

• Source: blue-green algae, Spirulina platensis & Spirulina maxima

• Family: Oscillatoriaceae
• GS: US, Thailand, Mexico, India, China
• Constituents: proteins, proteins' nitrogen, total organic nitrogen, lipid, fatty acid,
Vitamin F
• Carbohydrate: glycogen, rhamnose
• Vitamin: B complex, beta carotene
• Algal protein: phycobiliprotein
• Indication: immunostimulatory, hypolipidemic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and
anticancer effects