Nutraceutical

Nutraceutical is a portmanteau of nutrition and pharmaceutical, used to describe foods, food components, or dietary supplements that are claimed to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The term can encompass fortified foods, functional foods, dietary supplements containing vitamins, minerals, botanicals, or bioactive compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, fiber, and polyphenols. Because it is not a legally defined category in many jurisdictions, its meaning varies and it is often used in marketing alongside traditional nutrition and medicine aims.

The term was popularized by Stephen DeFelice in 1989 to capture products believed to have medical or health-promoting effects beyond ordinary nutrition. In practice, nutraceuticals may be marketed as preventing or treating diseases, improving function, or supporting general well-being, although the strength of evidence for specific claims varies considerably.

Regulatory treatment of nutraceuticals differs by country. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a category separate from drugs; manufacturers must ensure safety and truthful labeling, but claims about disease prevention or treatment are restricted. In the European Union, health or nutrient claims attached to foods require evaluation and authorization by regulatory authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority. Medical foods and prescription medications follow separate regulatory paths. Across regions, nutraceuticals are subject to quality, safety, and labeling concerns, and they are not a substitute for medical treatment.

Critics argue that the term can be vague and marketing-driven, with variable quality of evidence supporting specific health claims. Proponents emphasize the potential for dietary strategies to complement conventional care, provided claims are evidence-based and properly regulated.