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A REVIEW: NUTRACEUTICALS & ITS ROLE IN AILMENTS
Rehana Parveen1* and Ranjeet Kumar Bhargav
2
*1,2
BBS Institute of Pharmaceutical & Allied Sciences, Greater Noida (U.P.), India.
ABSTRACT
„Nutraceutical‟ is used to describe a medicinal or nutritional
component that includes a food, plant or naturally occurring material,
which may have been purified or concentrated, and that is used for the
improvement of health, by preventing or treating a disease. It is often
thought that nutraceuticals have to occupy a narrow strip of legislative
ground between pharmaceuticals and food, but in reality their position
is much more complex. Major nutraceuticals posses multiple
therapeutic effect with lacking of unwanted effects hence attract more
consumer interest. Increase in shift towards preventive therapies and
increasing disposable income, favorable pricing environment growth in
pharma retail chain and increase in healthcare spending is mainly responsible for increasing
market for nutraceuticals in India, but lack of standardization and awareness, high pricing,
marketing and distribution are some challenges. Nutraceutical market is seeing tidal growth
mainly in United States, India and European countries. Faster access to this market is possible
through business partnership models, effective regulatory compliance and by evaluating key
trends and consumer reference.[1]
Most nutraceuticals, however, are openly on sale and
available via the Internet.
KEYWORDS: Nutrition, Dietary Fibers, Antioxidant, Probiotics.
INTRODUCTION
The word 'nutraceutical' was derived from 'nutrition' and 'pharmaceutical'[2]
in 1989 by
DeFelice and was originally defined as „a food or part of the food that provides medical or
health benefits, including the prevention and/or treatment of a disease. Over the last 20 years
the number of nutraceuticals available for selfmedication in pharmacies or for sale in
supermarkets and healthfood shops has grown enormously, fostered by wide media coverage
of their benefits. There has been a boom in their sales as patients rush to selfmedicate, either
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
SJIF Impact Factor 7.632
Volume 9, Issue 5, 499-510 Review Article ISSN 2278 – 4357
*Corresponding Author
Rehana Parveen
BBS Institute of
Pharmaceutical & Allied
Sciences, Greater Noida
(U.P.), India.
Article Received on
04 March 2020,
Revised on 24 March 2020,
Accepted on 13 April 2020
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20205-16063
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in the hope that these products will be effective in treating diseases unsatisfactorily treated
with pharmaceuticals, or that the adverse effects of some pharmaceuticals may be avoided.
With an ageing population throughout the Western world, a number of diseases are becoming
increasingly prevalent, and current and predicted patient numbers are often vast. For
example, it has been predicted that arthritis will affect most of the population at some time
during their lifetime. And it is in disease states such as arthritis that nutraceuticals are
increasingly used.
A nutraceuticals word is comprises of „Nutrient‟ and „Pharmaceuticals‟. According to
AAFCO, 1996, „Nutrient‟ means a feed constituent in a form and at a level that will help,
support a life of human being or animal while „Nutraceutical‟ means any non-toxic food
component that has scientifically proven health benefits including prevention and treatment
of disease6. Products isolated or purified from food are sold in medicinal forms not usually
associated with food. A nutraceutical have a physiological benefit that it provides protection
against chronic diseases.[3]
The role of dietary active compounds in human nutrition is one of the most important areas of
investigation with the findings having wide‐ranging implications for consumers, healthcare
providers, regulators and industry (Bagchi D, 2006). Foods and nutrients play a vital role in
the normal functioning of the body. They help to maintain the health of the individual and to
reduce the risk of various diseases. Worldwide acceptance of this fact formed a recognition
link between "nutrition" and "health", and thus the concept of "nutraceuticals" evolved (Rama
CS et al., 2006).
CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRACEUTICAL
The food sources[4]
used as nutraceuticals are all natural and can be categorized as
1. Minerals
2. Probiotics
3. Prebiotics
4. PUFAs (Polyunsaturated fatty acids)
5. Dietary fibers
6. Antioxidant vitamin
1) MINERALS: Minerals are solid substances that are present in nature and can be made of
one element or more elements combined together (chemical compounds). Eg: Ca, Mg,
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Cu, Zn, Ph, etc. Gold, Silver and carbon are elements that form minerals on their own.
They are called native elements. Instead, ordinary kitchen salt is a chemical compound
that is called rock salt, which is a mineral formed of sodium and chlorine ions. Atoms,
ions and molecules that form a mineral are present in the space in a tidy way and
according to well-defined geometrical shapes, which are called crystal lattices. The
structure of the crystal lattice defines the shape of the crystal as we see it. For example,
rock salt or kitchen salt is a mineral formed of cubic-shaped crystals. Its crystal lattice has
the same shape and consists of sodium and chlorine ions that are present in the space in
alternate order.
2) PROBIOTICS: Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health,
especially your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something that causes
diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called
"good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. Probiotics are
naturally found in your body. You can also find them in some foods and supplements. It's
only been since about the mid-1990s that people have wanted to know more about
probiotics and their health benefits. Doctors often suggest them to help with digestive
problems. And because of their newfound fame, you can find them in everything from
yogurt to chocolate.
a) Lactobacillus: This may be the most common probiotic. It‟s the one you‟ll find in yogurt
and other fermented foods. Different strains can help with diarrhea and may help with
people who can‟t digest lactose, the sugar in milk.
b) Bifidobacterium: You can also find it in some dairy products. It may help ease the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and some other conditions. Probiotics help
move food through your gut. Researchers are still trying to figure out which are best for
certain health problems. Some common conditions they treat are:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
Antibiotic-related diarrhea
3) PREBIOTICS: Prebiotics are substances that induce the growth or activity of
microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi) that contribute to the well-being of their host.
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The most common example is in the gastrointestinal tract, where prebiotics can alter the
composition of organisms in the gut microbiome. However, in principle it is a more
general term that can refer to other areas of the body as well. For example, certain hand
moisturizers have been proposed to act like prebiotics to improve the activity or
composition of skin microbiota. Although all prebiotics are fiber, not all fiber is prebiotic.
Classification of a food ingredient as a prebiotic requires scientific demonstration that the
ingredient (Jacob RA, 1995):
Health benefit of prebiotics
Reduce the prevalence and duration of infectious and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Reduce the inflammation and symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Exert protective effects to prevent colon cancer.
Enhance the bioavailability and uptake of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and
possibly iron.
4) PUFAs: These are fatty acids which contain more than one double bond and include
essential fatty acids. Eg: Omega-3-fatty acid, safflower oil, corn oil, soyabean oil, fish oil.
The group of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is divided into two groups: omega-3
(n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), differing in the position
where the first double C-bound is located. Two PUFAs are called essential fatty acids
since they cannot be synthesized in the human body and are vital for physiological
integrity. Therefore, they must be obtained from the diet. One is linoleic acid (LA) and
belongs to the n-6 family. The other one is α-linolenic acid (LNA) belonging to the n-3
family. These essential parent compounds can be converted in the human body to long-
chain (LC) fatty acid but humans cannot interconvert n-3 and n-6 fatty acids.
5) ANTIOXIDANT: Antioxidants are our first line of defense against free radical damage,
and are critical for maintaining optimum health and wellbeing. Oxygen is a highly
reactive atom that is capable of becoming part of potentially damaging molecules
commonly called “free radicals.” They are present in fruits, vegetables and fishes. They
are used to prevent the reactive Oxygen species and free scavenging radicals. Eg:
Vitamin- E, C, A, Beta cartone.
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Nutrient-derived antioxidants like ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherols and
tocotrienols (vitamin E), carotenoids, and other low molecular weight compounds such as
glutathione and lipoic acid.
Antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and
glutathione reductase, which catalyze free radical quenching reactions.
Metal binding proteins, such as ferritin, lactoferrin, albumin, and ceruloplasmin that
sequester free iron and copper ions that are capable of catalyzing oxidative reactions.
Numerous other antioxidant phytonutrients present in a wide variety of plant foods.
Additional physiological antioxidants are –
Endogenous Antioxidants
Bilirubin Thiols, e.g., glutathione,
lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine
Dietary Antioxidants
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta carotene and other carotenoids and oxycarotenoids
Metal Binding Proteins
Albumin (copper)
Ceruloplasmin (copper)
Metallothionein (copper)
Ferritin (iron)
Myoglobin (iron)
Transferrin (iron)
6) DIETARY FIBERS: Dietary fiber (DF) consists of non-digestible carbohydrates and
lignins that are intrinsic and intact in plants. Functional fiber (FF) consists of isolated,
non-digestible carbohydrates that have beneficial physiological effects in humans. These
definitions broaden the category and allow resistant starches, oligosaccharides and other
non-digestible carbohydrates to be classified as functional fibers. The adequate intake for
fiber defined by the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) is 38 grams/day for adult men and 25
grams/day for adult women. There was insufficient evidence to set a tolerable upper
intake level for dietary or functional fiber. They are present in fruits, vegetables, grains,
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legumes, etc. They are mainly used to correct constipation, bowel irregularities,
hemorrhoids.
TYPES[5]
OF NUTRACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE THE MARKET
NUTRACEUTICALS
Functional food Functional beverages Dietary suppliments
Cereals Energy drinks Vitamins
Bakery & confectionary Sports drinks Minerals
Dairy Fortified juice Botanicals
Snacks Dairy beverages Enzymes
Functional Fats, oils Tea & Coffee Fatty acids
Baby foods Proteins
Probiotics
Prebiotics
SCOPE OF NUTRACEUTICALS
Nutraceuticals play a significant role in modifying and maintaining normal physiological
function that maintains healthy human beings. The food products used as nutraceuticals can
be categorized as dietary fibre, prebiotics, probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids,
antioxidants and other different types of herbal natural foods. These nutraceuticals used in
various diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis,
diabetes, cholesterol etc. In whole, „nutraceutical‟ has lead to the new era of medicine and
health, in which the food industry has become a research oriented sector. This article aim to
provide the knowledge of nutraceutical with its uses in various diseases.
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HEALTH BENEFITS OF NUTRACEUTICALS
From cosumers' point of view, functional foods and nutraceuticals may offer many
benefits[7]
:
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)
ROLE OF NUTRACEUTICAL IN AILMENTS
1. CVS DISEASE: Dietary fibres, Anti-oxidants, Omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids,
Vitamins, minerals for prevention andtreatment of CVS disease.[6]
Polyphenol(in grape)
prevent and control arterial diseases Flavonoids (in onion, vegetables, grapes, red wine,
apples, and cherries) block the ACE and strengthen the tiny capillaries that carry oxygen
and essential nutrients to all cells. Rice bran lowers the serum cholesterol levels in the
blood, lowers the level of (LDL) and increases the level (HDL) in cardiovascular health.
Higher the ratio more will be the risk of coronary heart diseases. Rice bran contains both
Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which improves eyesight and reduces the chance of cataracts. The
essential fatty acids, omega-3, omega-6, omega-9 and folic acid in rice bran are also
promoting eye health. It is reported that low intake of fruits and vegetables is associated
with a high mortality in CVS disease.
Various nutraceuticals are used to treat CVS disease are as follow
Phytosterols
Polyphenols
Flavonoids
Vitamin E
Curcumin
Omega-3-fatty acid
Garlic
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2. DIABETES: Use of ethyl esters[8]
of n-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in diabetic
patients. Docosahexaenoic acid modulates insulin resistance and is also vital for
neurovisual development. Lipoic acid, an antioxidant, for treatment of diabetic
neuropathy. Dietary fibers from psyllium have been used for glucose control in diabetic
patients and to reduce lipid levels in hyperlipidemia.
Various nutraceuticals are used to treat Diabetesare as follow
Antioxidant
Vitamin C
Calcium/Vitamin D
Carbohydrate
Fats
Fibers
Protein
3. CANCER: Nutraceuticals are used to treat chronic disease & improve human health.
Flavonoids which block the enzymes that produce estrogen reducesthe estrogen-induced
cancers. Prevent prostate/breast cancer a broad range of phyto-pharmaceuticals with a
claimed hormonal activity, called “phytoestrogens” is recommended. Soyfoods source of
isoflavones, curcumin from curry and soya isoflavones possess cancer chemopreventive
properties. Lycopene concentrates in the skin, testes, adrenal and prostate where it
protects against cancer.
Various nutraceuticals are used to treat Cancer as follow
Chestnut
Berries
Soy
Green tea
Garlic
Ginseng
Tomato & red pepper
Dietary fibers.
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4. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: Inflammatory bowel diseases/syndrome (IBD/S),
including Crohn‟s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are a group of idiopathic,
chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, whose
incidence and prevalence has been increasing in the last decades.[9]
Nutraceuticals is a
broad term used to describe any product derived from food sources claiming extra health
benefits beyond the intrinsic nutritional value found in foods. The beneficial effects of
nutraceutical compounds in human health have been emerging in the last decades.
Although few clinical trials have been performed in IBD patients, nutraceuticals, such as
herbal products or vitamins, are generally accepted as safer alternative/supplementation to
conventional therapy.
Various nutraceuticals are used to treat IBD as follow
Curcumin
Aloe Vera
The Bael
Garlic
Honey
Probiotics
Minerals
5. GASTRO INTESTINAL DISEASE: Eating habits and trends in food production and
consumption have health, environmental and social impacts. Diet has implications on gut
health. Gut complications, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel
syndrome, and gluten therapy resistant celiac, result from overgrowth and imbalance of
intestinal microbial flora, and are related to one‟s diet. Gut health determines an
individual‟s overall health. The human gut has the following functions: (a) it breaks food
down to nutrients, (b) it facilitates absorption of nutrients into the blood through intestinal
walls, and (c) it prevents foreign and toxic molecules from entering the bloodstream. Gut
malfunction, therefore, has a direct negative impact on human health. This review focuses
on the role of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and food supplements in intestinal
health.[10]
Nutraceuticals are widly used (maximum) in treatment in GI disorders.
Various nutraceuticals are used to treat GI disease as follow
Dietary fibers
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Curcumin
Anti oxidant
Aloe Vera
The Bael
Garlic
Honey
Probiotics
Minerals
Carbohydrate diets
Omega-3-fatty acids.
6. HEART FAILURE AND LUNG CANCER: Corn‟s contribution[12]
to heart health lies
not just in its fiber, but in the significant amounts of folate that corn supplies. Corn
maintains the homocysteine, an intermediate product is an important metabolic process
called the methylation cycle. Homocysteine is directly responsible for damage of blood
vessel heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. It has been estimated that
consumption of 100% of the daily value (DV) of folate would, by itself, reduce the
number of heart attacks suffered by 10%. Corn also contains cryptoxanthin, a natural
carotenoid pigment. It has been found that cryptoxanthin can reduce the risk of lung
cancer of 27% on daily consumption.
7. OSTEOARTHRITIS: Osteoarthritis[13]
(OA), a debilitating joint disorder, is the most
common form of arthritis in the United States, where it affects an estimated 21 million
people. In 2004, the direct and indirect health care costs associated with all forms of
arthritis were approximately 86 billion dollars. Joint discomfort from OA and other joint
disorders may reduce physical activity in individuals experiencing this condition,
resulting in energy imbalance and weight gain. Increased weight can exacerbate existing
problems, through additional stress on joints (kalioraa AC et al., 2006). Glucosamine
(GLN) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are widely used to alleviate symptoms of OA. These
nutraceuticals have both nutrient and pharmaceutical properties and seem to regulate gene
expression and synthesis of NO and PGE2, providing a plausible explanation for their
anti-inflammatory activities.
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8. PARKINSON’S DISEASE: Vitamin E in food may be protective against Parkinson‟s
disease. Canadian researchers indicated that vitamin E in food may be protective against
Parkinson's disease. Creatine appeared to modify Parkinson‟s disease features as
measured by a decline in the clinical signs (Brower V, 2005). Nutritional supplements
have shown some promising results in preliminary studies, it is important to remember
that there is not sufficient scientific data to recommend them for Parkinson's disease at
present. The patients should be cautioned that over-the-counter medications do have side
effects and interactions with other drugs and are also expensive.
MARKET GROWTH OF NUTRACEUTICALS
The nutraceuticals market size has the potential to grow by USD 180.38 billion during 2020-
2024, and the market‟s growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period.
This report[11]
provides a detailed analysis of the market by product (functional food,
functional beverages, and dietary supplements) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North
America, and South America). Also, the report analyzes the market‟s competitive landscape
and offers information on several market vendors, including Abbott Laboratories, Archer
Daniels Midland Co., BASF SE, Cargill Inc., Danone SA, General Mills Inc., Kellogg Co.,
Nestlé SA, PepsiCo Inc., and The Coca-Cola Co.
CONCLUSION
The nutraceutical manufacturing industries are growing at a rate far exceeding expansion in
the food and pharmaceutical industries. Nutraceuticals has proven their health benefits and
disease prevention capability, which should be taken according to their acceptable
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recommended intake. In the present scenario of self-medication nutraceuticals play major role
in therapeutic development. But their success depends on maintaining on their quality, purity,
safety and efficacy. The global market is currently experiencing period of growth post
recession even after effect of recession fades, the market for nutraceutical is likely to remain
in the growth phase which is driven by emerging market of countries like India, China, Brazil
etc.
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5. Dr. Zeeshan Afsar, essential of herbal drug technology, PV publication, Page No. 33.
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10. Avrelija Cencic et al, The Role of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Food
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