Volume 1 - Issue 4, November - December 2025

Nutraceuticals, a term coined by Dr. Stephen DeFelice in 1989, represent a broad category of food-derived products that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Their origin traces back to ancient civilizations where foods and herbs were used for healing, reflecting Hippocrates’ principle, “Let food be your medicine.” With the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994, nutraceuticals gained formal recognition and now include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, probiotics, and functional foods. They are classified based on food availability, mechanism of action, and chemical nature, encompassing traditional nutraceuticals such as nutrients, herbals, phytochemicals, probiotics, and enzymes, as well as non-traditional nutraceuticals produced through biotechnological enhancement.
Nutraceuticals play a significant role in disease prevention and management due to their antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and immune-modulating properties. Their effectiveness has been widely explored in cardiovascular diseases, cancer therapy adjuncts, and dermatological health. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids, soy isoflavones, garlic constituents, curcumin, and bioactive peptides contribute to improved lipid profiles, reduced inflammatory responses, enhanced skin protection, and better therapeutic outcomes when combined with chemo- or radiotherapy. Despite advantages such as improved immunity, chronic disease prevention, enhanced longevity, and psychological well-being, nutraceuticals also pose challenges.
Quality control, regulatory complexities, ingredient sourcing, product stability, and consumer safety remain major concerns. Additionally, although generally safe, some nutraceuticals may cause mild side effects like headaches, digestive disturbances, or elevated blood pressure. Overall, nutraceuticals represent a promising bridge between nutrition and medicine, offering natural, preventive, and therapeutic benefits while demanding rigorous regulation and consumer awareness