Nutraceutical Supplements

A Nutraceutical is any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health benefits. Nutraceutical products are also known as functional foods. Inulin-containing foods have long been known to be beneficial for health. Inulin is fermented in the colon, selectively altering the microflora present (Gibson et al., 1995). Bifidobacteria, a genus considered to have health-promoting properties, displaces a number of undesirable microbes. Inulin is a component of many probiotic food supplements (see Section 6.1.3). 

Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L. 

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Many market studies of global sales of functional foods differ in the data, depending on the criteria used for the inclusion of products in the analysis. For example, under a strict definition, according to Leatherheadfood, the functional food and drinks market had a combined value of 19.4 billion in 2007, whereas with a broader definition, the market raised to 41.9 billion [41]. In 2011, the global market for a strict definition of functional products as those offering specific health claims was estimated at 24.2 billion [42]. BCC research established a Nutraceuticals Global Market for nutraceutical foods, nutraceutical beverages, and nutraceutical supplements of 40 billion each. 

Ayurvedic formulations which contain C. forskohlii as one of the ingredients, standardized extracts of C. forskohlii have been marketed in the recent days as nutraceutical supplements mainly for weight loss. Several analytical methods were developed for the quantitation of forskolin in crude extracts as well as in formulations. There is one clinical study in obese men indicating the efficacy of forskolin in inducing weight loss, promoting lean body mass, bone mass, and increasing serum free testosterone levels [16]. 

Curtis, C.L., Harwood, J.L., Dent, C.M., and Caterson, B., Biological basis for the benefit of nutraceutical supplementation in arthritis. Drug Discovery Today, 9, 165-172, 2004. 

Many clinical trials have been undertaken on the crude extracts and pure compounds derived from this genus plants. For instance, products developed from bark and other parts of U. tomentosa have been commercially available in the form of nutraceutical supplements. For instance in Austria, preparations from root are accepted for the prescription for rheumatoid arthritis. However, unauthorized products are being used worldwide without appropriate Good Manufacturing Practice. For this reason, the Council of Experts of the United States Pharmacopeial Convention prepared a monograph on the U. tomentosa in order to establish specifications for further improvement in the quality of nutraceutical supplements in this country. Further research and implementation of the regulations for safe practices would lead to potential use of Uncaria spp. as therapeutic agents. 

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