Chapter 34 - Factors to Consider in Development of Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplements

Abstract

The development of functional food (medicinal plants, marine sources, vitamins, minerals, fish oils, plant-based oils, amino acids, etc.) as nutraceutical and dietary supplements are gaining momentum with the perspectives of safety, efficacy, and quality for promotion of health of human beings. Nutraceuticals are diet supplements that deliver an enriched, presumed bioactive compound from natural resources, presented in a nonfood matrix, that have additional health or physiological benefits over and above the normal nutritional value and used with the purpose of enhancing human pathophysiological conditions. Due to the rapid expansion in this area several aspects need to be considered that could influence the future of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Authentication, quality control, standardization, validation processes, regulatory aspects, clinical risk assessment, customer awareness, and postmarketing surveillance are the key points which could ensure the safety and efficacy of nutraceutical and dietary supplements. Dietary bioactive compounds from different functional foods and nutraceuticals play a major role in improving human health.