Nutraceuticals - Health Benefits

Nutraceuticals consist of food supplements, herbal products, ingredients such as plant sterols, polyphenols, fatty acids probiotics, and prebiotics, medical foods meant for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements that are also called functional foods since they help prevent and treat disease. These products can be single nutrients like Vitamin C. Or they can be dietary supplements such as multiple vitamins/minerals combined together. Though Nutraceuticals give health benefits, omega-3, although generally accepted to be an important nutrient, has its limitations according to Dr. Mellor.

Polyphenols like Anthocyanidin are available in fruits, Catechins in Tea, babul pods, mustard cake, rapeseed, neutralize free radicals, reduce the risk of cancer. Proanthocyanidin like Cocoa, chocolate, tea is very useful in preventing Cardiovascular Diseases. Fatty acids, Conjugated Linolic Acid(CLA) in meat and Milk Improve body composition, reduce cancers. Omega (ω)-3 FA(DHA, EPA), in fish oils & maize fodder, mustard, linseed, rapeseed, reduce CVD & improve mental, visual function.

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help destroy free radicals and support the body's natural immune response. Sources of vitamin C include red peppers or immune-boosting foods to get through cold and flu season, leading towards Covid 19. Also, other fruits like, mangoes, lemons, other fruits, and vegetables will be useful immunity enhancers.

Reduction in the demand for food products or other ingredients will lead to the business losses known in advance. Automation will have to be a major issue. There will be disruption. The import of any type will have to be stopped and each and every product will have to be manufactured in India, as per the Hon Prime Minister.

Transportation and other Losses on Fruits and vegetables are to be minimized so as to enhance the profit, without extra burden on consumers.

Thus Personal Health care and Economic Health of a business, cases will have to be handled properly so as to win in the Post Pandemic, COVID 19, situation.

By-Dr Prakash Kondekar

BSc(HONS) MD(Homeo) ND LLB Aurved-Ratna FRSH(London) BTER(UK)