Introduction to nutraceuticals &

Functional foods

Dr. Kumar
11th Oct., 2023

Disclaimer:- Study material is collected from various papers, book chapters and webpages. Dr. Kumar acknowledge the authors or IP rights holders.
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Nutraceutical remedies for common disorders like-

 Bronchitis,
 Circulatory problems,
 Hypoglycemia,
 Nephrological disorders,
 Liver disorders,
 Osteoporosis,
 Psoriasis and
 Ulcers
 Dosage levels, contraindications.

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Nutraceutical remedies for Nephrological disorders

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•Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem in which
occurrence is constantly rising.

•According to estimations, its prevalence amounts to 8–16% of populations

worldwide.

•Patients with CKD have an extremely high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
and they are even 10 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease before
reaching the CKD stage requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation compared to
age-matched controls.

•This disease is characterized by progressive loss of kidney function, resulting in

the diminished ability of the body to eliminate soluble waste and consequent
accumulation of “uremic toxins”

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•The use of nutraceuticals in the prevention of renal dysfunction is a very
tempting option.

•A number of nutraceutical products are being promoted as effectively supporting,

protecting, or even healing renal injuries.
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•Al-Okbi et al. assessed protective effects of extracts prepared from avocado,
walnut, flaxseed, and Eruca sativa seeds in a rat model of kidney dysfunction
induced by intraperitoneal cisplatin.

•In their study, the pre-treatment with different nutraceuticals was associated with a
strong protection toward kidney dysfunction mirrored by a considerable decrease
in the level of plasma creatinine and urea as well as the increase in plasma
albumin, plasma total protein, and creatinine clearance.

•The administration of studied nutraceuticals resulted in the enhancement of total

antioxidant capacity and catalase activity, the decrease in free radicals, and
subsequent improvement of kidney function due to the limit of damage and an
inflammatory process.

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•It has been indicated that polyphenols could considerably diminish circulating
uric acid and exert a protective effect against vascular oxidative stress, possibly
via the inhibition of xanthine oxidase, which is required to produce uric acid but
also through their actions as ROS scavengers.

•Plasma uric acid levels rise in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may lead to
tubular injury, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and intra-renal
inflammation.

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 Nutraceutical remedies for Liver disorders

•Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common chronic
liver disease.

•It is characterized by a wide spectrum of hepatic changes, which may progress to

liver fibrosis and to cirrhosis.

•NAFLD is considered as the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome but

mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of NAFLD are still under
investigation.

•Several therapeutic approaches have been proposed so far. However, the only
proven effective strategy for NAFLD treatment is weight loss and vitamin E
administration, the latter only for nondiabetic NASH patients.

•Notably, there is currently no medically approved treatment for NAFLD

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Targets for nutraceutical interventions in non ‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

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Principal nutraceuticals for the treatment
of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and
possible targets
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 Nutraceutical remedies for Osteoporosis

•Osteoporosis is a common bone disorder observed particularly in aging

population and post-menopausal women.

•It results from an imbalance in the natural process of bone remodeling, a

continuous cycle for bone formation and bone resorption.

•Though various drugs acting on different therapeutic targets of osteoporosis are

available, focus is now shifting towards the natural alternatives to avoid side
effects associated with the drug therapy.

•Osteoporosis is a debilitating medical condition which is marked by reduction

in the bone density and degeneration of bone structure which results in bone
weakness and increases the risk of fracture.

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•Within the nutraceuticals landscape, bone health supplements is one of the
major component, driven by increased prevalence of osteoporosis globally.

• Currently the key components of this market are calcium, vitamins and
minerals and their numerous combinations.

•Besides calcium and magnesium which are the major elements, other nutrients
such as vitamin D, zinc, copper and boron

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