Going by the title, I’m guessing that you’re not as familiar with nutraceuticals as most people are. It’s OK- they’re not often talked about! But they have been hiding in plain sight. Today’s post is all about them, whether or not they’re really valid when it comes to your health, and the proposed benefits of them. Are you ready to find out more? Then let’s get started!

Nutraceuticals Defined

Believe it or not, nutraceutical is an umbrella term used to define either a diet, food, nutrient, or component of food designed to promote longevity. The term itself was originally coined in the year 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, who was the founder and chairman of the organization Foundation for Innovation in Medicine in Cranford, New Jersey. [1] The practice of prescribing nutraceuticals in the form of diet, supplements, or natural medicine goes back as far as ancient times all around the world, from India to Egypt to China to Greece. In fact, Hippocrates’ famous quote of “Let thy food be thy medicine” could arguably be a call for nutraceuticals. [2]

(Note: However, since I began researching this topic, I was very shocked to realize that this quote has often been taken out of context, and whether or not Hippocrates actually said this is now up for debate. Regardless, it still remains a powerful statement, especially when it comes to working alongside nature to promote optimal health! [3])

Examples of Nutraceuticals

Here’s a list of nutraceuticals for you to peruse. You may be surprised to discover that you’ve already been implementing them without even realizing it!

• Medicinal Herbs and Extracts (oregano, echinacea, nettles, pau d’arco, elderberry, grapeseed, peppermint, garlic, ginger)
• Animal Glandulars and Metabolites (desiccated thyroid, liver, pancreatin or animal-based digestive enzymes, ox bile)
• Oils (krill, fish or cod liver oil, flaxseed, CBD, borage, evening primrose, essential oils)
• Isolated Micro Nutrients, Antioxidants or Compounds (GABA, melatonin, Vitamin A/C/D/E, zinc, magnesium, l-carnitine, astaxanthin, NAC)
• Supplemental Macronutrients (protein powder, branch chained amino acids/BCAAs, MCTs, fiber- psyllium husk, partially hydrolyzed guar gum)
• Diets (particularly those with a medical background, such as the Keto or Mediterranean Diet)
• Probiotics & Prebiotics (Whether they’re in a concentrated supplemental form or derived from food; capsules, powders, or fermented food and drinks)
• Functional Foods (these are foods that have been modified and are designed to promote optimal health; includes fortified cereals, non-dairy milks, juices, yogurts, meal replacement bars or shakes, etc.)
• Medical Foods (according to the FDA, these are“intended for a patient who has a limited or impaired capacity to ingest, digest, absorb, or metabolize ordinary foodstuffs or certain nutrients, or who has other special medically determined nutrient requirements, the dietary management of which cannot be achieved by the modification of the normal diet alone.” Translation: do not take them unless supervised by a doctor; they’re often taken in via IVs or tube feedings. They’re not fun foods!)

[4] [5] [6] [7]

Fact or Fiction?

So, are nutraceuticals beneficial to our health? Well, that depends. What type of nutraceutical are you using, is it appropriate for your bio-individuality, are you taking the right dose or form, its quality, whether or not it’s backed by legitimate research or anecdotal claims (aka, real science versus word of mouth), and what your goal is. Because the term nutraceutical is so broad, it can be interpreted and used in a number of ways. To the point that both the food and supplement industries can create bold claims thanks to there being very little regulation over what they can say. Although some improvements have been made, such as supplement companies no longer being allowed to state that their products can cure or treat a disease, people still get duped over false advertising and creative claims. You’ll notice they’ll start things off with “may help to…” or “a great source of…” in order to trick you into buying their product.
But again, it all depends.

Let’s use this, for example: a rare, expensive “superfood” from somewhere like the Himalayas with little to no research versus something like omega-3 fish oils that have been used in a number of studies and clinical settings. Of the two, which do you think has the most validity?

Here’s another example: a whole head of broccoli, which includes all of the fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and co-factors needed to properly absorb them, versus a powdered extract of it created and processed in a lab and shipped and packaged (in varying temperatures) in a factory… only to then be sold for who knows how long on a shelf?

Context matters when it comes to nutraceuticals. Yes, there can be “good” ones, as well as “bad” ones.

The Takeaway

With all of this in mind, here’s what we can say about nutraceuticals. Like I mentioned a moment ago, context matters here. When it comes to the treatment of a specific disease or condition, you’re going to have to work with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure that you’re making the right decision for your body. A doctor or dietitian has the medical authority and knowledge to know whether something is going to heal or harm you. Be wary of quake “experts” out there selling products with miraculous claims and little to no research. Go out of your way to research them yourself as well. And even if some of them happen to be a doctor, know who they are. Are they “celebrity” doctors that even the medical establishment criticizes? Or has their license been removed? Have they gone into trouble in the past? And what is the success rate of their patients? (Paid versus real, genuine testimonials.) You’ll have to do your homework here, because your health is on the line.

Now, aside from supplements, food extracts, and even diets, I’d say that nutraceuticals in the form of real, whole foods are definitely the way to go. There’s no arguing against nature here. Whole foods are really our first line of defense against premature aging and so many health problems. No doctor on the planet can argue against that.

If you are going to use a supplement, then once again, do your due diligence and research! Otherwise, you run the risk of putting yourself at great harm. Don’t let your good intentions be stolen in this case.

Whew! Alright guys, I hope this post opened a few eyes. Nutraceuticals are still new and continue to be studied for a multitude of clinical applications. Time will tell how the medical establishment chooses to incorporate them into conventional treatments. So, keep an eye out! Maybe we’ll be less inclined to use drugs and instead turn to nature.

Sources:

[1] Kalra EK (2003). “Nutraceutical-definition and introduction”. AAPS PharmSci. 5 (3): 27–28. doi:10.1208/ps050325. PMC 2750935. PMID 14621960
[2] Wildman, Robert E. C., ed. (2001). Handbook of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (1st ed.). CRC Series in Modern Nutrition. ISBN 978-0-8493-8734-0
[3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258099432_Let_not_thy_food_be_confused_with_thy_medicine_The_Hippocratic_misquotation
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257668/
[5] https://www.escardio.org/Journals/E-Journal-of-Cardiology-Practice/Volume-9/Nutraceuticals-what-they-are-and-how-they-work
[6] http://www.ift.org/Knowledge-Center/Learn-About-Food-Science/Food-Facts/What-is-a-functional-food.aspx
[7] https://www.fda.gov/media/97726/download