Nutraceuticals of Natural Origin and Their Significance in Modern Medicine

Modern drugs are popular due to their role in emergency medicine however their roles are limited in chronic diseases due to their long-term usage and associated side effects. Various research have been conducted on nutraceuticals for prophylactic and therapeutic use. Significant role of micronutrients in diseases management has also been identified. Nutraceuticals are supplements with nutritional and medicinal value having proper dosage forms. Nutraceuticals work in synergy and support the pharmacokinetics, for example, vitamin D with K2, vitamin D with calcium, curcumin in combination with boswellic acid, and many such other combinations. Ayurveda nutraceuticals are also now emerging and making contribution in Asian market. Nutraceuticals are not tightly regulated in most part of the world; however, some countries like Japan have regulation in place to regulate nutraceuticals under Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU), whereas the USA regulates it under Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Currently nutraceutical is being utilized as adjuvant to existing therapies to reduce the reactive oxygen species in cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and other diseases having significant inflammation and oxidative stress.