NUTRACEUTICALS is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.They can be considered non-specific biological therapies used to promote general well-being, control symptoms and prevent malignant processes.The term “nutraceuticals” combines two words – “nutrient” (a nourishing food component) and “pharmaceuticals” (a medical drug).The name was coined in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, founder and
chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine, an American organisation located in Cranford,
New Jersey.
The philosophy behind nutraceuticals is to focus on prevention, according to the saying by a Greek physician Hippocrates (known as the father of medicine) who said, “let food be your medicine.” Their role in human nutrition is one of the most important areas of investigation, with wideraging implications for consumers,
healthcare providers, regulators, food producers and distributors. The definition of nutraceuticals and related products generally depends on the source.They can be classified on the basis of their natural sources, pharmacological conditions, as well as chemical constitution of the products.Most often they are grouped in the following categories: dietary supplements, functional food, and medicinal food.Medical food is formulated to be consumed or administered internally, under the supervision of a qualified physician. Its intended use is a specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements are established by the medical evaluation (on the basis of recognised scientific principle)