In recent years, scientists, dieticians, and nutritionists have been researching the deep connection between food and health that goes beyond what you should eat to lose a few pounds. At the center of this wellness trend is nutraceuticals. They offer a whole-food-based, natural alternative to the pharmaceutical industry.
Although practitioners of Chinese medicine have been following the connection between food and health for centuries, more and more people are beginning to discover the incredible benefits nutraceuticals have to offer.
Defining Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are products sourced from plants, animals, and microbes that provide medicinal and nutritional benefits. Many people rely on nutraceuticals and the inclusion of whole foods, food additives, herbs, phytonutrients, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products to treat physiological ailments and chronic illnesses.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, which are manufactured compounds, nutraceuticals occur naturally and are therefore unable to be patented or government-sanctioned. However, nutraceuticals are so popular that as of 2016, over 170 million people reported taking dietary supplements for their health. Additionally, the recent boom in popularity has led to a global nutraceuticals market that is projected to be worth $578 billion by 2025, demonstrating the growing interest in natural solutions.
Health Benefits of Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals offer an incredible range of psychological and physiological health benefits. Practitioners discover new uses for these products every day, but some of the most popular uses include:
- Anxiety relief
- Increase energy
- Improve mental clarity
- Reduce insomnia
- Delay the aging process
- Reduce drug cravings
- Increase life expectancy
- Support and regulate bodily functions
As the population becomes more educated on the relationship between herbal nutraceuticals and the human body, more studies are being conducted to assess their effect on a variety of issues. Some studies have seen a connection between nutraceuticals and diminishing the effects of allergies, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Common Nutraceutical Products
While this might be the first time you’ve heard the term, you can almost guarantee that you’ve encountered or even used nutraceuticals before without knowing it.
Nutraceuticals are not regulated by the United States Food & Drug Administration, but products such as amino acids, vitamin D supplements, and key herbal extracts are widely used in the wellness and fitness community. Some other popular examples include:
- Vitamin B12 – naturally occurring in foods like beef, tuna, and dairy products, this vitamin is a popular dietary supplement that can help produce red blood cells and increase energy levels.
- Green Tea – commonly used for its antioxidants, green tea extract helps to slow down the aging process and protect the skin from environmental damage.
- Ginseng – this natural energizer is popular for purifying the skin, regulating appetite, increasing circulation, and helping to decrease stress levels.
- Glucosamine – this amino sugar is a key player when it comes to building cartilage in the body, which is essential to aiding arthritis and joint pain.
- Fennel – a flavorful culinary herb, fennel is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and it’s also packed full of important vitamins and minerals.
Incorporating Natural Medicine In Your Life
When it comes to transforming your overall health without expensive trips to the doctor and shelling out for potentially harmful pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals are the safest, healthiest solution. These ingredients can be used to create individually produced formulas that are designed specifically for your needs.
At JBK Wellness Labs, we have a pharmacopeia of over 1,800 individual plants, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds, to meet your health and wellness needs. Contact us today to experience the benefits nutraceuticals can offer you!
