A combination of the words “nutrient” and “pharmaceutical,” any product extracted from a natural food source intended to have extra health benefits can be described as a nutraceutical.
Usually sold as a pill or a powder, the four types of nutraceuticals are dietary supplements, medicinal foods, functional foods, and “farmaceuticals.”
Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are products that have concentrated bioactive ingredients derived from a food source and are made to be taken in doses. Some typical supplements contain vitamins, amino acids, minerals, botanicals, and certain enzymes.
Supplements can be sold as capsules, tablets, liquids, powders, or even energy bars. Dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a food product, but they are not regulated in the same way as drugs and other medicines.
The manufacturers are not required to prove their product's safety or efficacy before selling them, and there have been several cases of large retailers carrying dietary supplements that were nothing more than additives, like powdered rice.
However, there are plenty of reputable retailers who sell high-quality products–it’s just important that you take the time necessary to vet a retailer before buying from them.
Dietary supplements include a wide range of products that are designed to augment your diet by providing additional nutrients that may not be consumed in sufficient quantities through food alone.
Specific vitamins and minerals, such as iron and folate, have been shown to reduce the risk of anemia and birth defects respectively. Others, like probiotics, are known to enhance gut health.
Herbal supplements, derived from plants, may also have health benefits. For instance, St. John's wort is often used for depression, and Echinacea is commonly used for colds.
However, while dietary supplements can fill nutritional gaps and support better health, they are not a substitute for a balanced diet. Their effectiveness varies, and in some cases, the scientific evidence supporting their health claims is mixed.
On top of that, high dosages of some supplements may lead to nutrient overdose and cause adverse effects. Also, certain supplements may interact negatively with medications or pre-existing health conditions.
That’s why you should always talk to your medical care provider before starting a new supplement regimen.
Functional Foods
Any food, or derivative of food, that provides health benefits other than basic nutrition can be described as a functional food. This includes products that are considered whole foods or enhanced or enriched foods that can benefit your health when included in your diet.
Another way to think of functional foods is any food that is rich in nutrients and delivers more than just basic nutrition, sometimes called “superfoods,” a term that is also sometimes applied to medicinal foods.
Lycopene, which is found in tomatoes, is a common example of a functional food, as is salmon.
However, functional foods can also include some processed foods, which are just foods that have bioactive components added to them to provide enhanced health benefits.
These include orange juice with added calcium, flour with added folic acid, or cereal enhanced with iron.
Medicinal Foods
Medicinal foods, a subcategory of nutraceuticals, are foods that not only satisfy our hunger but also possess health-enhancing properties.
They are filled with nutritional and therapeutic components, contributing to the prevention and even treatment of diseases. These foods bridge the gap between diet and medicine, offering a holistic approach to health and wellness.
There are many examples of medicinal foods available at your local grocery store.
Many berries, loaded with antioxidants, can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease and other health conditions.
Fatty fish, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, may improve cognitive function and cardiovascular health.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are recognized for their cancer-fighting properties, thanks to their high content of sulforaphane, a potent compound that boosts the body's protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals.
Whole grain foods, another category of medicinal foods, offer extensive health benefits. They can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer.
Foods like apples, arugula, asparagus, and beetroot have been linked to benefits ranging from dementia prevention to athletic performance enhancement.
Bok choy, a nutrient-rich vegetable, broccoli, and cantaloupe are also part of this category, offering benefits such as osteoarthritis prevention, blood pressure management, and inflammation reduction.
Some foods, though not quite medicinal foods, can still be considered "superfoods" because they have a particularly high amount of nutrients compared to other similar foods.
Foods like dark leafy greens, green tea, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber, especially when compared to processed foods.
These foods can help prevent chronic diseases and promote overall health, making them an important part of a balanced diet.
Medicinal foods offer a potent combination of nutrition and disease prevention, but it’s important to remember that no single food can guarantee health. You should always consult with your medical care provider before starting or stopping any diet.
Farmaceuticals
A combination of the words “farm” and “pharmaceutical,” farmaceuticals are medically effective components created from modified agricultural crops or livestock and are an innovative and promising sector within the field of nutraceuticals.
The term was coined to describe the practice of using genetically altered livestock, especially pigs and chickens, to produce medicines and therapeutic agents.
Farmaceuticals are produced by integrating the genes responsible for the desired pharmaceutical product into the DNA of the host organism. This allows the host organism–plant or animal–to act as a “biological factory” for the production of this product.
For instance, insulin can be produced by genetically engineered bacteria, resulting in a cheaper form of this widely needed medicine.
This concept is not new, but its application has gained momentum over the past few years due to advancements in biotechnology and genetic engineering.
The potential of farmaceuticals is enormous as they can provide a more cost-effective and sustainable method for producing essential therapeutic compounds compared to traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing methods.
Nutraceuticals May Help You Stay Healthier
Some nutraceuticals may be able to help you stay healthier for longer–for example, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in numerous studies to improve heart health. Some nutraceuticals, like insulin, can even be used to treat diseases.
However, others may have little, if any, nutritional or medical benefits, so it’s important that you speak with your medical care provider about any nutraceuticals you decide to take.
If you’re taking nutraceuticals regularly and are still feeling the symptoms of low testosterone or low estrogen, including mild depression, fatigue, lack of libido, and difficulty concentrating, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be able to help.
To learn more, schedule an appointment today.