Abstract

A REVIEW ON NUTRACEUTICALS IN AYURVEDA

Dr. Nitin Ujjaliya, Dr. Sanghmitra Dash and Dr. Salil Kumar Jain

ABSTRACT

Nutraceutical, a term combing the words „Nutrition‟ and „Pharmaceutical‟ is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. In recent years the demand of Nutraceutical has increased owing to growing awareness among general people about good health. Now dietary supplements have become available in general market. The Nutraceutical industry in the USA is near about 86 billion US dollar. The figure is slightly higher in European countries. When people get failure from pharmaceuticals they move towards Nutraceutical or Dietary regimen. The rich Indian civilization has provided evidence suggesting that foods can be effectively used as a medicine, to treat and prevent diseases. Ayurveda, has mentioned benefits of Ahara for therapeutic purposes. It is easily available and cheap, also in the form of kitchen remedies. Medical food which is available in market is not at all satisfactory on the basis of value and pharmaceutical standardization. Chemically prepared foods are also harmful for body. Ayurveda has a rich literary documentation about Ahara and Vihara. Ancient classical texts like Charak samhita to newer classics Bhavaprakash, have mentioned guideline about Nutrition. Researches should be done according to disease and for maintaining a good health. It has mentioned that if a man is practicing wholesome diet there will be no need of medicament. Likewise the best available medicine will not be effective if he is not following dietary restrictions. Present article reveals about Nutraceutical, regulatory issues for Nutraceutical industry, Ayurvedic concept of Nutrition along with possible and practical Ayurvedic Nutraceutical combination for different diseases.

Keywords: Nutraceutical, Standardization, Pathya - Apathya, Ayurvedic Nutraceuticals.