Keeping track with the advances in changing world, the 21st century has observed a shift from pharmaceuticals to nutraceuticals that supports the idiom “Prevention is better than cure.” Although current researches in pharmaceuticals greatly outnumber those occurring in the area of nutraceuticals, the Nutraceutical Market is still booming in its growth.
What are Nutraceuticals?
According to the American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC), Nutraceuticals are products that have been isolated and purified from food and are sold in medicinal forms which are not usually associated with food. They may also be called as functional foods and are marketed as having special health effects. So they include all over-the-counter vitamin supplements, pre and probiotics, mineral supplements, digestive enzymes and antioxidants. Even the Tropicana fruit juice and the Kellogg’s cereals packet marketed with big bold figures stating ‘Iron Shakti’ is considered a nutraceutical. Nutraceuticals are available to serve as dietary supplements to improve health or act as ‘natural’ remedies.
Unquestionably, the adverse effects of nutraceuticals are markedly low in comparison to pharmaceutical drugs and they certainly have an attractive safety profile. Even though, many components of food might be safe to use at the normal levels of intake, once these levels are increased to a pharmacological level, other effects may appear and hence it is vital to research and be informed of the benefits of daily dose to avoid experiencing any unwanted effects before adding them to your diet chart. Though, not every Nutraceutical in excess is harmful, the more balanced the body is with respect to its components, the more health benefits you can reap from them. And that especially applies if you are taking them for any pathological cause.
Biological role and health benefits of Nutraceuticals
The use of Ayurveda and food components to treat diseases in India can be traced long back to the golden era or even before. The use of Curcumin (Haldi) as a wound healing agent and an anti-inflammatory agent is common. It also causes skin conditioning and has antioxidant properties and hence is also used in skincare cosmetics. Various studies even suggest its significant anti-cancer effects could be put to good use. There are countless other plant and food components which can be utilized for diseases ranging from heart, joints, eye, brain and many more. Let us now further discuss some disease-specific uses of Nutraceuticals.
1) Nutraceuticals in Bone health:
Bone growth starts from foetal development and continues till peak bone mass is attained in the period between 25-40 years. The number of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis cases have been rising and prevention and treatment include a balanced diet with adequate levels of Vitamin D, calcium and protein. Exercise is also important. Some nutraceuticals to specifically improve bone health include melatonin, carnitine, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phytoestrogens from soy and flax.
2) Nutraceuticals in Heart health:
Cardiovascular diseases are known to cause millions of deaths each year worldwide. High risk factors include smoking, diabetes, hypertension and fatty meals with high amount of saturated fats. Drinking black and green tea can cause a reduction in plasma lipid levels and can improve endothelial function, also improving symptoms of hypertension. But that only applies if you switch to a balanced diet and exercise. Flaxseed, carnitine, fish oils, lycopene (in tomato juice and red fruits) and grape seed extract are some other nutraceuticals that benefit the heart.
3) Nutraceuticals in Eye health:
Age-related Macular Degeneration is one of the most prominent causes of vision loss for people aged 75 or above. Numerous age-related visual problems have been linked to the cumulative effects of oxidative stress. Presently, lutein and zeaxanthin have been used for eye health. In addition, Vitamin A is also quoted as an eye health supplement. Lutein and zeaxanthin are derived particularly from dark leafy vegetables such as spinach and from foods that are yellow like egg yolk, orange juice, etc.
4) Nutraceuticals in Mental health:
Cognitive decline, memory loss and depression are the most common ailments of the brain. The age-related decline has been claimed to be delayed by Acetyl-L-carnitine, phosphatidylserine (in soy, egg yolk, white beans), docosahexaenoic acid (from fish oils), and soy isoflavones which may be used to improve neurological functions. Sleep enhancement can be attained by increasing levels of melatonin responsible for your circadian rhythm. Melatonin is synthesized from tryptophan in the body and tryptophan is found in milk, yogurt, fish, almonds and other protein-based foods.
5) Nutraceuticals in Skin health:
Carotenoids, soy isoflavones, tea, melatonin and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been used as dietary supplements, including some in cosmetics and topical preparations to improve skin health.
6) Nutraceuticals in Respiratory and Oral health:
Asthma, allergic rhinitis, cough and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are the main respiratory diseases. Pycnogenol obtained from pine bark can be used, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties on the gingiva and antioxidant properties. Tea, PUFAs, alpha-lipoic acid too provide some benefits.
Although, these are used in various areas, yet the data from clinical trials quoting their uses is largely insufficient and hence even though they are pro-health, they cannot substitute the chemical drugs which have a defined pharmacological action during illness.
Indian Nutraceuticals Market and its future prospects
The Market Share of Indian Nutraceuticals Market is around 2% of Global Nutraceuticals Market, but it is expected to grow and hold a market share of at least 3.5% percent by 2023. The dietary supplements segment constitutes over 65% of the Nutraceuticals Market. Increasing awareness of health among people and focus on diet and nutrition has favoured the growth of the Nutraceuticals Industry in India. Low-cost manpower and availability of raw materials can give India an edge over other countries. Some major Nutraceutical Companies include Dabur India, Amway, Himalaya Herbal Healthcare, Cadila Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and Zandu Pharmaceuticals.
The challenges faced by the Nutraceuticals Industry can also not be overlooked. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates the Nutraceutical Industry, but the Industry has received only limited attention from FSSAI and the Government, hence limiting its true potential. However, injecting money into manufacturing and the introduction of tax deduction in research and clinical studies can significantly drive the growth of Nutraceticals Industry, thereby contributing to better public healthcare.