Over the years, Nutraceuticals are a fortified food product that supplements the diet and assists in treating or preventing disease. They have attracted considerable interest due to their potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects. They could have a role in a plethora of biological processes, including antioxidant defenses, cell proliferation, gene expression and safeguarding of mitochondrial integrity, “the power house of our cells.”
Therefore Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, postpone the aging process (and in turn increase life expectancy), or just support functions and integrity of the body. They are considered to be healthy sources for the prevention of life threatening diseases such as diabetes, kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as different infections.
A wide range of Nutraceuticals have been shown to positively impact the immune status and hinder certain disease states. They also exhibit disease modifying effects related to oxidative stress including Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, eye conditions, Parkinson’s diseases and obesity. Some examples of Nutraceuticals are probiotics, phytochemicals, omega-3’s, minerals, vitamins, herbal products and supplements.