Nutraceutical products are becoming increasingly common at an astonishing rate. Many people are using or considering different nutraceutical supplements to help with specific health ailments & risks or just overall health. With so many different nutraceutical products popping up in the market, however, it can be difficult to know what will be beneficial to your specific health and what won’t.
The difficult thing about evaluating nutraceuticals is the fact that they toe the line between being food and being a drug. As such, nutraceuticals aren’t subject to the strict FDA guidelines associated with traditional pharmaceuticals, although they are under food regulations.
Nutraceuticals & Health Boosts
Unlike common OTC medications that alleviate a specific condition, like ibuprofen or diphenhydramine, nutraceuticals typically work towards supporting overall health and immune function. In this sense, nutraceuticals are basically used as preventative measures or general health supplements.
Nutraceutical supplements often include supplements that advertise boosting immune function. While this can be a positive benefit for many people, it often doesn’t help a pre-existing condition. Nutraceuticals that provide a strong anti-inflammatory effect, however, may be extremely beneficial (over time) for people who suffer from autoimmune disorders.
Another seemingly ‘common’ property of marketed nutraceuticals is that of anti-aging. Anti-aging properties often directly correlate with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. This, again, is seeking to boost overall health and be preventative rather than help cure or mitigate any existing condition.
Nutraceuticals are also commonly associated with natural or holistic health care approaches. As more research is conducted and stricter regulations are put into place, we will all have a better understanding of how nutraceuticals can be used in medical care, as well as supporting general health.
Do Nutraceuticals Help with Health?
Some properties of certain nutraceuticals can be very beneficial in regard to overall health. Anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial to everything from joint discomfort to some symptoms of autoimmune disorders.
Nutraceuticals in their current state, however, are certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution for overall health. While anti-aging properties sound good, a lot more research needs to be conducted looking at where and how the anti-aging properties really work.
Probiotic nutraceuticals work by changing the microbiota composition. Microbiota include a massive number of bacteria, and health overall is complex involving many environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Therefore, a ‘miracle nutraceutical’ or ‘magic bullet’ is not feasible.
With all that said, the answer to the question ‘do nutraceuticals help with health?’ is a strong maybe. Everyone has a different body and is at a different lifestyle stage, with different health risks and concerns. Therefore, people will be affected differently by nutraceuticals. Talking to your doctor may help you understand whether or not a nutraceutical or supplement can help your overall health.
Research at Biofortis
Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.
Tags: diet, health, nutraceutical, nutraceuticals, supplements