Definition

Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They include dietary supplements, functional foods, and fortified products containing concentrated nutrients, bioactive compounds, or therapeutic ingredients. Examples include omega-3 fish oil, probiotics, coenzyme Q10, and curcumin.

Why It Matters

Modern diets often fail to provide optimal levels of nutrients needed for health. Nutraceuticals bridge nutritional gaps, support specific health conditions, and provide therapeutic doses of compounds difficult to obtain from diet alone. They're evidence-based tools for disease prevention and treatment.

Related Conditions

Fatigue Anxiety High Cholesterol Inflammation Autoimmunity

Related Modalities

Nutraceuticals Clinical Nutrition Functional Lab Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

In the U.S., nutraceuticals are regulated as dietary supplements by the FDA, which means manufacturers are responsible for ensuring safety but don't need pre-market approval. Third-party testing and certifications (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab) help ensure quality and potency.

Even healthy diets may not provide therapeutic doses of certain compounds. Nutraceuticals can address specific deficiencies (vitamin D, omega-3s), support treatment of conditions (probiotics for gut health), or provide higher doses than food for therapeutic benefit. Individualized assessment determines need.