Safety, Adverse effect and

Interactions of nutraceuticals
Shweta Mahankar
FMSC2324002
Sem II Paper 3
Unit-Dietetics 1
 INTRODUCTION ON
NUTRACEUTICALS

What are Nutraceuticals?

1. The term “Nutraceutical” was coined by Dr. Stephen
DeFelice
2. Nutraceuticals are essentially food or food components.
3. They are often considered to have medicinal properties
4. Examples :-
Include fortified foods, dietary supplements, herbal
products, and functional beverages.
 Safety effects of Nutraceuticals

Safety data from animal studies after single-dose treatment with various
nutraceuticals show LD50 values and safe doses.

Nutraceuticals like glucosamine, chondroitin, carnitine, melatonin, Pycnogenol,

GSPE, MSM, lutein, policosanol, lycopene, and daidzein seem safe at therapeutic
levels in these studies.

Long-term usage may reveal additional adverse effects beyond those observed
in single-dose treatments. Continued monitoring and research are necessary.
Adverse effects of Nutraceuticals

Hormonal
Toxicity imbalance

Liver or kidney
Digestive issue
damage

Quality Interaction with

control medication
 Melatonin Adverse effect

❖ What is Melatonin?
1. Melatonin is one kind of Nutraceuticals
2. Melatonin supplements promote
Safety for short-term use
❖ What are side effect of melatonin?
Headache, sleepiness, dizziness, and nausea
Melatonin is helpful for short term period
Dosage – 30 mg – Harmful
❖ Who should avoid taking?
Pregnant lady, small children
 Sedative Effects
Can interact with other substances like
alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids, potentially
increasing the risk of excessive sedation or
respiratory depression.
Interaction of
Melatonin
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Melatonin supplements are not recommended
for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding due
to insufficient safety data
Blood Pressure
Melatonin can interact with blood pressure
medications like calcium channel blockers and
beta-blockers, potentially lowering blood
pressure further when combined.
Diabetics
Melatonin may interact with diabetes
medications due to its potential effects on
blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
Individuals with diabetes should closely
monitor their blood sugar levels when using
melatonin.
 Creatine Adverse effect

What is Creatine ?
Creatine is a Classified as nutraceuticals.
Improve health, prevent diseases, or support specific bodily functions.
Adverse effect of creatine ? Creatine is safe?

Weight gain. Approved dosages, creatine

Muscle cramps. has been shown to increase
Muscle strains and pulls. muscle mass, strength, brain
Stomach upset. function, and potentially
Diarrhea. heart function as well.
Dizziness.
High blood pressure.
Liver dysfunction.
 Interaction of Carnitine

Isotretinoin can induce adverse effects linked to carnitine deficiency.

Concurrent administration of L-carnitine with isotretinoin has demonstrated
positive outcomes in cystic acne patients.

Pivampicillin reduces carnitine levels, suggesting the necessity of carnitine

supplementation.
Zidovudine’s efficacy may decrease when co-administered with carnitine.
 REFERENCES

• Dwyer, J. T., Coates, P. M., & Smith, M. J. (2018). Dietary Supplements: Regulatory
Challenges and Research Resources. Nutrients, 10(1), 41.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010041
• Ernst E. (2000). Adverse effects of herbal drugs in dermatology. The British journal of
dermatology, 143(5), 923–929. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03822.x
• Raso, G. M., Meli, R., Di Carlo, G., Pacilio, M., & Di Carlo, R. (2001). Inhibition of inducible
nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by flavonoids in macrophage
J774A.1. Life sciences, 68(8), 921–931. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0024-3205(00)00999-1
• Nutrition and Genomics: Issues of Ethics, Law, Regulation and
Communication. (2009). Netherlands: Elsevier Science.
• Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Natural Products: Concepts and
Applications. (2016). United States: DEStech Publications, Incorporated.