Published Book Chapter Detail

Nutraceuticals and Disease Prevention

Iman Fatima¹, Baseerat Fatima¹, Syed Ammar Haider², Maham Ashraf^1*, Maira Riaz¹, Ramsha Bashir¹

¹Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan

²Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

*For Correspondence

mahammaham.pharm@tuf.edu.pk

Nutraceuticals, a fusion of "nutrition" and "pharmaceuticals," refer to products derived from food sources that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They encompass dietary supplements, functional foods, medical foods, and pharmaceuticals, aiming to promote general well-being, prevent chronic diseases, and manage various health conditions. The expanding importance of nutraceuticals in illness prevention and health promotion is examined in this chapter. The potential of nutraceuticals—a broad category that includes dietary supplements, functional foods, and bioactive compounds—to prevent chronic illnesses and enhance general health is becoming more widely acknowledged. The chapter explores the scientific underpinnings of nutraceuticals; therapeutic benefits, emphasizing how they might alter biological pathways linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic abnormalities. The impact of several nutraceuticals, including, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, in lowering the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders is highlighted in this chapter through a review of recent research. It also discusses the difficulties of standardizing, regulating, and using these substances in clinical settings, highlighting the necessity of more research to validate their safety and effectiveness. This chapter concludes by highlighting the potential of nutraceuticals as a preventative measure in contemporary healthcare and providing information on how to incorporate them into dietary plans for illness prevention. 

Keywords

Functional Foods, Dietary Supplements, Disease Prevention, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Metabolic Disorders