Nutraceuticals

Question 1

What are nutraceuticals

Answer 1

Derived from food sources
Provide health benefits beyond what is found in food
Concentrated and purified nutrients of different foods can be combined
Nutraceuticals can be seen as preventative medicine

Question 2

Types of nutraceuticals

Answer 2

Nutrients
Herbals/phytochemicals
Dietary supplements
Fortified foods
Functional foods

Question 3

Benefits of nutraceuticals

Answer 3

Increases the health value of our diets
Helps us live longer
Avoid medication
Seen as more natural
Psychologically, feel like doing something for your health

Question 4

Areas covered by nutraceuticals

Answer 4

Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Cancer
Anti-inflammatory
Vision improvement
Osteoarthritis
Alzheimers

Question 5

Specific benefits of nutraceuticals

Answer 5

Eye health - Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Mental health - Phosphatidylserine, Docosahexaenoic, Soy isoflavones

Sleep enrichment - Melatonin

Cancer prevention - Tea, Lycopene, Flaxseed

Bone health - Melatonin, L-carnitine

Skin health - Tea, Soy isoflavones, Glycosamine, Melatonin

Oral health - Pycnogenol

Question 6

Disadvantages of nutraceuticals

Answer 6

Not tested the same as pharmaceuticals
Not regulated
Companies can take advantage of consumers with high profit margin
Bioavailability of nutrients is lower from unreputable dealers