Nutraceuticals and Herbaceuticals – What Are They?

December 23, 2023 Jane Jackson, RN, CRC  Nutra-News

Nutraceutical is two words put together – nutrition and pharmaceutical. Herbaceuticals is a combination of herbal and pharmaceutical. Both are non-prescription dietary supplements.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines dietary supplements as any food substance with medical or health benefits containing an ingredient meant to add to what a person gets in their usual diet.

These products include:

• Vitamins/Minerals
• Prebiotics/Probiotics
• Over-the-Counter Medications

Different life events need varied dietary supplement support.  Some examples are:

• People who do not have enough of the mineral selenium in their diet get sick more often with everything from infections to cancer.
• People who do not get enough Vitamin D have increased incidents of chronic muscular or skeletal pain, limb pain, and low-back pain.
• People with the brittle weak bones of osteoporosis may be helped by supplements containing calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, and L-lysine.
• People with painful osteoarthritis may get relief by taking chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate.

Some of the most common targets for dietary supplements include:

• Aging Well
• Allergy Relief
• Bone/Joint Health
• Cancer Prevention
• Cognitive Health
• Diabetes Management
• Digestive Health
• Energy/Endurance Enhancement
• Eye Health
• Heart Health
• Immunity Boosters
• Inflammation Reduction
• Men’s Health
• Sexual Health
• Skin/Hair/Nails Health
• Weight Loss/Gain
• Women’s Health

Note:  Articles on Nutra-Files are to inform about non-prescription nutraceuticals and herbaceuticals.  There is no guarantee of positive outcomes.  Always consult your healthcare provider and adhere to the directions provided by your choice of dietary supplements.