Hippocrates, the great Greek physician once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Although food-based medicine has recently been at the forefront of wellness trends, the concept of using food as medicine has been around for thousands of years. In today’s lingo, whole foods or supplements that have specific health or medical benefits are called nutraceuticals and they’re making a statement on the health industry in a major way. As of 2016, over 170 million adults reported taking dietary supplements to regulate or maintain their health. While it may be difficult to pronounce, it’s not difficult to see how the benefits of nutraceuticals are appealing to people throughout the world. 

What are Nutraceuticals? 

Nutraceuticals are products, which are used for medicinal purposes apart from nutrition. A nutraceutical product may be used for physiological purposes or to treat a chronic illness.  Sourced from plant, animal, and microbial sources, nutraceuticals include whole foods, food additives, herbs, phytonutrients, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

 

Unlike normal pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals can not be patent protected because they occur naturally. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds can be used in conjunction to treat ailments, but only pharmaceutical compounds are government-sanctioned.  Showing no signs of declining in popularity, the global nutraceuticals market is projected to reach $578.23 billion by 2025. Increased awareness and education about the relationship between food and health are constantly persuading more people to incorporate the benefits of nutraceuticals into their health regimen.

Benefits of Nutraceuticals 

The benefits of nutraceuticals are limitless and new uses for them are being discovered every day. From physiological to psychological health, nutraceuticals have the potential to treat a wide array of illnesses and ailments. Nutraceuticals have been used to: 

 

  • improve overall health
  • boost energy
  • relieve anxiety
  • improve mental clarity
  • enhance sleep quality and quantity
  • prevent chronic diseases
  • reduce drug cravings
  • delay the aging process
  • increase life expectancy
  • support and regulate bodily functions 

 

In addition to these health benefits, recent studies have shown promising results for the effectiveness of herbal nutraceuticals on disorders related to oxidative stress including allergies, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and obesity. 

Popular Nutraceuticals 

Because nutraceuticals are not regulated by the United States Food & Drug Administration, several products can be classified as nutraceuticals including amino acids, vitamin D supplements, key herbal extracts, whole foods and more. Some commonly used nutraceuticals include: 

 

  • Vitamin B12- Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as beef, tuna, and dairy products. Many people take Vitamin B12 as a dietary supplement to maintain healthy nerves, aid in the production of DNA and red blood cells, and to increase energy levels. 
  • Green Tea – Green tea extract is one of the most powerful and popular herbal extracts in the world. Green tea acts as an antioxidant that imparts vitamins and nutrients that slow down the aging process and protects the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage. It has also been used to enhance the ability of the body to burn fat, increase fat oxidation, and increase thermogenesis
  • Ginseng – Ginseng has historically been used to purify and nourish the skin, balance the gastrointestinal tract, regulate appetite, increase circulation, decrease stress, balance the central and peripheral nervous systems and stabilize blood sugar. It also acts as a natural energizer.
  • Glucosamine – Glucosamine is an amino sugar that plays a significant role in building cartilage in the body. While this substance occurs naturally around the joints and in bone marrow, many people take a glucosamine supplement to treat arthritis and joint pain. 
  • Fennel – This flavorful culinary herb has powerful health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fennel is packed with vitamins and minerals and when taken as a dietary supplement it acts as a natural appetite suppressant. 

Where to Find Nutraceuticals 

With a pharmacopeia of over 1,800 individual plants, roots, leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds, JBK Wellness utilizes the power of nutraceuticals to create individually produced formulas created specifically for your needs.

 

In a single formula, herbs are assigned different tasks to react with multiple physiological changes that balance the entire body to eliminate immediate symptoms, as well as tackle the root cause of the condition. If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of nutraceuticals contact us at (858) 263-4178 to develop a formula that is perfect for you.

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