Getting To Know Nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals are food-derived products or bioactive compounds that are marketed as having health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Instead of thinking of nutraceuticals like a class of medications, think of them as a product line. The word “nutraceutical” is a marketing buzzword. It’s derived from the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical,” but the term, and products marketed as nutraceuticals, aren’t regulated like pharmaceuticals.

“There’s no accepted regulatory definition of a nutraceutical, like we have for dietary supplements” says functional medicine specialist Ramona Wallace, DO, FMCP-M. And while some dietary supplements are nutraceuticals, not all nutraceuticals qualify as dietary supplements.

Types of nutraceuticals

Because there isn’t a standard definition to work with, there’s also no single way to categorize everything that could be considered a nutraceutical. But Dr. Wallace says you’ve probably encountered these common types.

Botanical nutraceuticals

Many nutraceuticals are plant-based. Some — like turmeric, matcha or cinnamon — may already be hanging out in your spice cabinet or pantry. Others, like psyllium husk and moringa, are less commonly used in cooking and are typically sold in supplement form.

Animal-derived nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals can also come from animals and animal byproducts. Examples you may be familiar with include:

• Fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids
• Whey protein
• Manuka honey
• Collagen peptides
• Bovine colostrum

Microbial-derived nutraceuticals

Microbial-derived nutraceuticals come from microorganisms like yeast or bacteria.

While many of the substances we’ve mentioned so far are regular features on grocery store and pharmacy shelves, you’re more likely to see microbial-derived nutraceuticals on nutrition labels for foods that contain probiotics, or “live and active cultures.” Examples include lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and saccharomyces boulardii.

But not all microbial-derived nutraceuticals contain live microorganisms. Sometimes, they’re inactivated, or the product only contains part of the microorganism.

Health benefits of nutraceuticals

Because there’s no fixed definition of nutraceuticals — and so many substances could fit the bill — there’s no specific health benefit that applies to all of them.

In some cases, there may be benefits, whereas in others, the benefits are debatable. And what’s helpful and recommended for one person may be unnecessary, or even dangerous, for another.

“It’s unique to the individual,” Dr. Wallace emphasizes. “So, when I discuss nutraceuticals, I ask, ‘What symptom are you trying to address?’ Let’s explore why that symptom is occurring and figure out how best to support you based on your individual needs.”

These food products and bioactive compounds are all marketed as having potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition, Dr. Wallace points out. But many gaps in the evidence remain.

The difference between nutraceuticals and supplements

So, are nutraceutical products and dietary supplements the same thing? Dr. Wallace says that while there can be overlap, they’re two different concepts.

Remember: The word “nutraceutical” is a marketing term, first and foremost. There’s no hard and fast rule about what does and doesn’t fit into that group.

Dietary supplements, on the other hand, have a concrete definition. In the U.S., the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 defines a dietary supplement as a product “intended for ingestion that, among other requirements, contains a ‘dietary ingredient’ intended to supplement the diet.”

For example, you might turn to a dietary supplement to address a nutritional concern.

“If you have a distinct deficiency because you aren’t getting enough of a nutrient your body requires, taking a specific dietary supplement may help fill the gap,” Dr. Wallace explains.

The DSHEA spells out lots of other details about dietary supplements. But for our purposes, this is all you need to know: Not all nutraceutical products count as dietary supplements, and vice versa, but there’s plenty of overlap between the two groups.

How to use nutraceuticals responsibly

If you’re thinking of adding nutraceuticals into your daily routine, Dr. Wallace suggests that you:

• Get curious about your “why.” What problem or symptoms are you hoping to solve? Dr. Wallace recommends exploring the possible causes before jumping into treatment mode. “You could end up masking something that needs to be addressed medically if you don’t speak to your provider first,” she cautions.
• Start with your diet. You’ve probably heard the “food first” maxim before. That’s because if your body is able to absorb it, food is the most bioavailable form of nutrition. Pills and powders are easy, but working with a dietitian or functional medicine specialist to adjust your eating habits may be better for you long-term.
• Be honest with your provider. Your provider needs to know everything you take so they can help you avoid medication interactions and anticipate side effects. “Go to your provider and be open to having a discussion about nutraceuticals,” Dr. Wallace advises.
• Do your research. Because nutraceuticals aren’t regulated like pharmaceuticals, you have to be careful about what you take. Ask your provider to suggest a brand. Look into factors like product quality, purity, efficacy, temperature sensitivity and storage to be sure that what you’re putting into your body is safe.
• Avoid “stacking” nutraceuticals. “I often find people are taking way more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of a given nutrient, and sometimes, they’re having side effects as a result,” Dr. Wallace notes. “They may even unintentionally consume the same nutrient through multiple nutraceutical products.” That’s another reason why you need to keep your provider in the loop about everything you’re taking.

With your provider’s support, you can be more comfortable with the choices you’re making to support your health and well-being.