Abstract

AN APPROACH TO PRESENT DAY NUTRACEUTICALS

Dr. Divya R.* and Dr. Sreekanth P.

ABSTRACT

Nutraceuticals are products which other than nutrition are also used as medicine. A nutraceutical product may be defined as a substance, which has physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic disease. Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the ageing process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy or support the structure or function of the body. Nowadays, Nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects. Recent studies have shown promising results for these compounds in various complications. The food products used as Nutraceuticals can be categorized as dietary fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and other different types of herbal/ natural foods. In whole, Nutraceutical has led to the new era of medicine and health, in which the food industry has become a research oriented sector.

Keywords: Dietary fiber, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Antioxidants, Nutraceutical.