nutraceutical
Meaning of nutraceutical: A nutraceutical is a food derived product marketed for a health benefit beyond basic nutrition, without meeting the approval standard of a drug.
Definition of nutraceutical
A nutraceutical is a product derived from a food source, such as a specific nutrient, herb, or other food component, that is marketed as offering a health benefit beyond ordinary nutrition, without being classified or regulated as a drug. The term blends the concepts of nutrition and pharmaceutical, reflecting the overlap it occupies between an everyday food product and a medical treatment.
Nutraceuticals are sold as dietary supplements in forms such as capsules, tablets, powders, and fortified foods, and they include a very wide range of products, from vitamins and minerals to plant extracts and other concentrated food derived compounds. Because nutraceuticals are regulated as supplements rather than as drugs in most jurisdictions, they generally are not required to undergo the same rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness that a new medication must pass.
The evidence supporting individual nutraceutical products varies considerably, ranging from well studied nutrients to products with little supporting research.
Used in a sentence
The patient mentioned taking several nutraceutical supplements in addition to prescribed medications.
Good to know
Because nutraceuticals are regulated as supplements rather than as drugs in most jurisdictions, their safety and effectiveness generally have not been evaluated to the same standard required for an approved medication.