Nutraceuticals: A Simple Guide to Functional Foods and Supplements

People often consider nutraceuticals as a complete substitute for natural food. If you are someone who thinks that supplements can be an equivalent alternative to whole foods, then you are making a huge mistake. They cannot replace whole foods, as the required nutrients can only be obtained from natural foods.

So, are nutraceuticals taken as food supplements? They don’t just act as food supplements! In fact, they fill in the nutritional gaps in a meal. Want to know more about nutraceutical products? We have got you covered. This simple guide to functional food and supplements will help you understand nutraceuticals and their health benefits. Keep reading!

What Are Nutraceuticals?

Nutraceuticals are a combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical ingredients. These products, derived from direct food sources, help your body absorb the required nutrients. Nutraceuticals can enhance the nutritional value of your meals. Since food adulteration has become a concern, people are not getting all the nutrients they need from their meals.

To live a healthy life, you must ensure you consume natural foods that provide all the necessary nutrients. Foods rich in vitamins, proteins, calcium, iron, antioxidants, fiber, and other minerals are considered healthy. But malpractices have disturbed the natural essence of a balanced diet. This is where nutraceuticals show their worth.

Nutraceutical products are not equivalent to whole foods. They are highly effective when consumed along with a proper meal. The best way to get all the nutrients from nutraceutical medicines is to add them to your diet in appropriate amounts. Consuming nutraceutical products once or twice a day can lead to significant improvement. However, you must consult a certified nutritionist before starting to take nutraceutical medicines.

What Are Some Functional Food and Supplements Examples?

Below is some information on functional foods and supplements, along with their examples:

Functional Foods

When whole foods are enhanced or forfeited to increase the basic nutritional value and health benefits, they are called whole foods. One can enhance the nutritional value of food by adding a new ingredient or boosting the levels of available foods. Some common examples of functional foods are:

• Calcium absorbed from milk fortified with Vitamin D for better bone health.

• Fiber, such as psyllium husk, is added to cereals to support digestion.

• Plant sterols are used in margarine to lower cholesterol.

• Probiotic-infused yogurt to improve gut health.

Dietary Supplement

Many people consider nutraceuticals to be dietary supplements because they are made with one or more dietary ingredients. Supplements are available in the market as medicines, such as capsules, tablets, syrups, or powders. Some common examples of supplements are:

• Iron, calcium, and Vitamin D tablets

• Concentrated extracts from plants and herbs

• Omega-3 fatty acid

• Protein and amino acid-rich powders

What Are the Health Benefits of Nutraceuticals?

Nutraceutical products are more than just food supplements. They enhance the nutritional value of whole foods. But they are only effective when taken along with a proper meal. No nutraceutical can replace natural, whole foods. When supplements are consumed along with foods, they significantly benefit a person’s health. The following are some health benefits of nutraceuticals:

Boosting Heart Health

Heart health is one of the most closely monitored areas in the healthcare industry. It is well established that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil tend to lower triglycerides and reduce inflammation. Similarly, functional foods that include plant sterols and stanols can help reduce cholesterol absorption and boost heart health.

Improving Joint and Bone Health

Nutraceutical products can support cartilage health in people with joint discomfort. Supplements rich in calcium and Vitamin D prevent osteoporosis and improve bone density.

Improving Digestion and Gut Health

The good bacteria, called “probiotics,” are present in functional foods like yogurt and other food supplements. They are essential for maintaining digestive health and improving gut health. Probiotics feed on good bacteria and are essential for healthy digestion.