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Submited by jasmeet kour Topic nutraceuticals-a way to healthy life   “NUTRACEUTICALS-A WAY TO HEALTHY LIFE” NUTRACEUTICALS” OR “FUNCTIONAL FOODS” have witnessed a tremendous increase among the consumers due to their potential of providing ample health benefits. T he term NUTRACEUTICAL is a combination of two words –NUTRITION AND PHARMACEUTICAL. The former gives health benefits while the latter imparts medicinal properties.It was coined by Dr. STEPHEN DeFELICE,MD,Founder and “NUTRACEUTICALS-A WAY TO HEALTHY LIFE” NUTRACEUTICALS” OR “FUNCTIONAL FOODS” have witnessed a tremendous increase among the consumers due to their potential of providing ample health benefits. T he term NUTRACEUTICAL is a combination of two words –NUTRITION AND PHARMACEUTICAL. The former gives health benefits while the latter imparts medicinal properties.It was coined by Dr. STEPHEN DeFELICE,MD,Founder and Chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine(FIM),CRANFORD in 1989. NUTRACEUTICAL IS A BROAD UMBRELLA TERM.It encompasses several food components which typically claim to prevent Chronic diseases, improves health, delay the aging process and increase the life expectancy. Some of the promising NUTRACEUTICALS are” CAROTENOIDS”, which neutralizes free radicals;” LYCOPENE” , which may contribute to the maintenance of a healthy PROSTATE HEALTH; “DIETARY FIBRE” , which may contribute to the maintenance of a healthy digestive tract;” FATTY ACIDS”,which reduce the risk of Coronary heart disease ;” FLAVONOIDS”, which again neutralizes free radicals. Last but not the least , it is the” PROBIOTIC AND the PREBIOTIC FOOD” which form one of the most important class of nutraceuticals. These foods improves the GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH and imparts Systematic immunity Another important breakthrough in the world of NUTRACEUTICALS is the identification of “OLIGOSACCHARIDES FROM RICE BRAN”, “MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS”, “FORTIFIED FOODS” AND “PEANUT SKIN AND SHELL” as big store house of nutraceuticals. Oligosaccharides are generally classified as PREBIOTICS.Animal studies have revealed their potential in lowering of total triglycerides and an improvement of the HDL/LDL ratio. MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS are simply mushrooms used in the practice of medicine. Claims have been made that mushrooms inhibit tumor growth and enhance aspects of Immune system.The medicinal value of such mushrooms is reportedly owing to the presence of specific compounds-BETA-GLUCANS along PROTEINS. Research have shown that BETA-GLUCANS stimulate MACROPHAGES, T-CELLS, and production of Immune system CYTOKINES. Some mushrooms lower the elevated Blood sugar level.Such mushrooms also contain VITAMIN-D and also influence the production of human hormones.Another noticeable food stuff is PEANUT SKIN and SHELL which are reported to be a great storehouse of NUTRACEUTICAL or ANTIOXIDANTS.These are however considered as waste products but these contain high Phenolic compounds and possess huge nutraceutical properties.Thus, in nutshell, nutraceutical is a very broad term.Several nutritionists and regulatory toxicologists should work strategically on Nutraceuticals to provide ultimate therapeutic benefits to mankind. REFERENCES: 1. http://www.about bioscience.org. 2.http://www.bentham.org 3.http://www.g mushrooms.com/health 4.http://www.en.wikipedia.org 5.http://www.ker.com 6.http://www.a apsj.org