NUTRACEUTICALS

‘Let Food be Your Medicine’

DEFINITION Other words used in the context: Dietary supplementation, Functional,

Multi-functional Foodscoined from “Nutrition” & “Pharmaceutical”

in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice,MD, Founder and Chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine (FIM).

Nutraceutical can be defined as

“ A food or part of food or nutrient, that provides health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of a disease.”

E.g. OF FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS

Class / components

Source Potential benefit

1. Fatty acids

CLA

Milk & Meat Improve body composition, reduce cancers

ω-3 FA(DHA, EPA)

Fish oils, berseem & maize fodder,mustard,linseed,rapeseed

Reduce CVD & improve mental, visual function

2. Polyphenols

Anthocyanidin Fruits

Catechins

Flavonone

Tea,babul pods,mustard cake,rape seed

Nutralises free radicals, reduce risk of cancer

Flavones Citrus Fruits, vegetables,soya bean

proanthocyanidin •Cocoa, chocolate,tea,rape seed

Reduce CVD

Lipids

Fats are highly concentrated sources of energy for body.

Saturated fatty acidsMonosaturated (MFA)Polyunsaturated PUFA Saturated fats- animal based pdts

Lipids…MFA&PUF – plant origin

Trans fatty acids are pdts of partial

hydrogenation of PU fats and are

typically solids at room temperature.

MFA&PUFA do not promote formation of

the fatty deposits that can clog the

arteries

Lipids…Saturated FA—palmitic, lauric,

myristic acids are major cholesterol-elevating fatty acids in our diets.

Eskimos –diet rich in cholesterol + fat—free from heart diseases

Fish rich linolenic acid, found in fish + soyabean oils

linoleic acid –corn, soy bean oils

Linolenic acid- Omega 3 Linolenic acid (18:3n-3)- 18C, 3 double

bonds, the 1st being at C-3 from the methyl end.

CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7 COOH

precursor of : - Eicosapentaenoic acid -EPA (20:5n-3)

docosahexaenoic acid - DHA (22:6n-3) heart and brain & nerve function

Linoleic acid - Omega 6

CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH(18: 2n-6)

- precursor of arachidonic acid Prostaglandins, thromboxanes and

leukotrienes immunosuppressive effects and mediate

inflammatory responses platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction

CHOLESTEROL

cell membranes, brain and nerve tissues, steroidal hormones, bile acids.

Transported in bloodstream as a complex with molecules of proteins and fats, called lipoproteins.

Cholesterol is transported by both LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS (LDLs) – most common and HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS (HDLs)

High levels of LDLs in the blood stream can lead to fatty plaque deposits on arteries and can predispose a person to have a heart attach (Bad cholesterol)

VITAMINSNeeded in small quantitiesFat soluble: A,D,E,KVit. A antioxidant – nightblindnessVit. D helps in bone strength.Water soluble- see later.

Vitamin E and C -Potent antioxidantsretard artery clogging and open them.

Help stop bad cholesterol (LDL, low-density lipoprotein) from being oxidised or turned rancid,

Probiotics

promote the growth of “friendly” bacteria, which

help, fight diseases.

Lactobacillus acidophillus: Acidophyllus type

support healthy bacteria for small intestine.

Bifidobacterium bifidum: Bifidobacteria support

healthy bacteria for large intestine.

Enhance the immune function.

Probiotics cont. Probiotics given to women around the time

of childbirth could protect children from atopic eczema for up to 4 yrs.

Controlling diarrhoea in children Offset S/E’s of antibiotics Ease symptoms of lactose intolerance. Sources: Sour milk, yoghurt, Yeast

(Saccharomyces spp)

Glucosamine-Glucosamine (an amino-sugar) is a nutrient

found in very small amounts in foodsnecessary for the formation of cartilage,

connective tissue and synovial fluid.-Useful in osteoarthritis, joint/connective tissue

injury Glucosamine – chondroitin combinationchondroitin -Naturally occurring sub that inhibit

the enzymes that degrade cartilagedraws fluid into cartilage thereby preventing it

from premature degeneration also acts as a building blocks for the creation of

healthy new cartilage

Centella asiatica, UmbelliferaeGotu kola, Herba centella, Hydrocotyle.

Indian pennywortHerbal teaAsiaticoside + derivatives of ursenoic acid. polyacetylenic cpds, flavone derivatives In animal experiments they promote

Thickening of skinIncrease local leucocytosisIncrease vascularization of connective tissueIncrease mucus secretion, hair and nail growth

Uses supported by clinical data

Rx wounds, burns and ulcerous skin ailments and prevention of keloids and hypertrophic scars

2nd & 3rd degree burnsTopically to accelerate healing, particularly in

cases of chronic post surgical and post trauma wounds

Rx of vein and skin disorders and in specific cosmetic products.

wound healing and tissue microcirculation and counteract such harmful venous processes as hemorrhoids and varices.

Evening Primrose Oil

-Fixed oil from seeds of Oenothera biennis (Onagraceae)

-Contains substancial amounts of esterified linolenic acid

-LA + 2 carbons gives arachidonic acid which is an immediate precursor of some prostaglandins.

Evening Primrose Oil..-Cosmetic purposes to improve skin, hair, and

nails-treatment atopic eczema and pre-menstrual

syndromePopular with women as an aid in regulating

the menstrual cycle.-Diabetic neuropathy-Rheumatoid arthritis

ALOEThe main commercial spp Aloe ferox.

Over 50 species e.g. A. secundiflora, A.

kendogenis, A. rabaiensis, A. tugensis, A.

elgonica, A. nyeriensis, A. keniense, A.

deserti, A. ukambensis

Parts used: juice, transparent gel from

leaves.

Aloe images

Aloe cont.Constituents: AQ glycosides, polysaccharidesProperties: Stress relief & suppression of peptic

ulcers, Treatment of radiation burns, wounds, skin

ulcers. Cosmetic skin prepns; eczema, -Arthritis, diabetes, HIV/AIDS? burns and skin irritationsLaxative Caution: juice should not be taken in pregnancy.

GINSENG

Panax ginseng

Used for centuries as a cure-all and tonic for

the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine for maintaining

physical and mental balance in human body.

Is an adaptogen = ‘harmony drug”

constituents: Saponins -ginsenosides

Ginseng cont.Promotes the release and manufacture of

adrenal hormones against stress.

Immunostimulatory: -increases RNA & prot

synthesis

- reduces protein degradation

-enhances antibody production

-increases interferon production

Ginseng…

Reduces BP, myocardial necrosis & cholesterol

Prevents liver damage to ethanol

Hypoglycaemic & stimulates insulin release

Inhibits growth of several types of cancers

-used as adjuvant in tumor chemotherapy.

-Available in 600mg capsule.

GINKGO Consists of dried leaves of Ginkgo bilobadiminished memory and concentration,

increased absent-mindness, confusion, energy loss, tiredness, depression, dizziness and tinnitus, dementia including Alzheimer’s. senility

-“Cerebral insufficiency” which could lead to dementia

Ginkgo biloba..Constituents: ginkgolides e.g. ginkgolide A,

B, C, M, J –diterpenes

bilobalide- sesquiterpenes,

flavonoid glyc, flavones, tannins + other

phenolics

Ginkgo has antioxidant, antiplatelet

aggregation and antiinflam activity.

ST. JOHN’S WORT- Hypericum

Hypericum perforatum (Guttiferaceae)For mild to moderate depression, anxiety and

nervous unrest-Compared with TCA’s- imipramine and

fluoxetine-Naphthodiathrone pigment hypericin,

hyperforin, C16 –C19 alkanes, pseudohypericin, xanthones, flavonoids

-Also antiviral-HIVH. keniese, H. kiboense, H. lanceolatum, H.

roeperatum

GINGER

-Zingiber officinale rhizome.-Compared with conventional drugs as

antinausea and travel sicknessNausea from anaesthetic effects after surgery-In hyper emesis gravidarum- a severe form of

nausea and vomiting related to pregnancyreduce the severity of nausea and the # of

vomiting attacks in cases of early pregnancy-and safe

-Gingerols and shagoals – Non volatiles, essential oils

GARLIC

Consists of bulbs of Allium sativum.-Anti cholesterol and anti thrombotic-inhibit

platelet aggregation-Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti tumor

and anti diabetic Useful in patients with old or acute myocardial

infarcation.- B.P. ,arteriosclerosisIt helps regulate cholesterol levels and

maintain heart health. Sulphur containing - ajoene, allicin, alliin

Milk Thistle-Silybum marianumprevent liver damage, regenerating cells and

large areas of liver tissue damage. treat acute and chronic viral hepatitis B, fatty

liver, cirrhosis and toxin-induced injury,radiation, etc

Milk Thistle…Flavolignans- Silymarins

Silybin

-Antioxidant-preventing damage to

healthy liver cells and stimulating a

regeneration of the injured liver cells.

Milk ThistleSilymarins stands guard on the outer receptor

sites of cells, baring toxins from breaking

through fatty cell membranes and entering cell

-Neutralizes toxic subs that manage to penetrate

Stimulates natural antioxidants in the body

-Stimulates protein synthesis

NEEM TREE (mwarubaine)

Azadirachta indica Coastal Neem Melia azadiracht – Highland NeemFamily MeliaceaePolvalent medicinal properties. “village

doctor”Antibacterial and antifungal properties-

preparation –skin preparation including soaps

NEEM TREE..Toothpaste- protect teeth from decay and

tooth rot and gum disordersInsecticide – insecticidal + antimoulting

(azadractin) Antimalarial activity –Boiled leaves (gedunin

and nimbolide)Antidiabetic (nimbinin and nimbadiol)

NEEM TREE..Leaves - Rx diabetic mellitus and juvenile

diabetes insulin Cardiovascular and Nervous activityAntifertility-Neem oil exerts spermicidal

activity, reversible May also prevent implantationAntihelmintic

NEEM TREE..Rx ringworm (antifungal) and intestinal

worms.Increase immune response in mice. Stomach ulcers- effectiveGalactologue (increase milk)Rx haemorrhoidsRx certain cancers

NEEM TREE..Increase immune response in mice. Stomach ulcers- effectiveGalactologue (increase milk)Rx haemorrhoidsRx certain cancers

COMPOSITIONTetranortriterpenoids Azandiractin, gedunin and nimbolideGedunin, gedunin and nimbolideFlavonoids Limonoids TanninPolysaccharides, Glycoproteins