Table 1.
Basic information on several nutraceuticals.
| Nutraceutical | Chemical Constituent | Food | Health Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allicin | Diallyldisulfide | Garlic (Allium sativum), onion | Antibacterial, antifungal, antithrombotic, hypotensive activities; anti-cancer, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory activities |
| Genistein, daidzein | Phytoestrogens (isoflavones) |
Soybeans, legumes | Lowers LDL cholesterol, antioxidant activity, anti-cancer (prostate, breast, bowel) activities |
| Lycopene | Caroteinoid (isoprenoid) |
Tomatoes, pink grapefruit, guava papaya, watermelon | Anti-oxidant activity; protects against the formation of cancer mainly prostate, bladder, cervical, leukemia |
| Resveratrol | Polyphenolic compound | Dark grapes, raisins, peanuts, berries | Lowers total serum cholesterol increasing HDL; neuroprotective, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, pro-angiogenic, vasorelaxing and anti-cancer effects |
| β-Carotene | Carotenoid (isoprenoid) |
Carrots, oranges, tangerines, corn, avocado, various fruits and vegetables | Anti-oxidant activity which neutralizes free radicals |
| Selenium | Mineral | Sardines, cod, sole, walnuts, peas | Anti-oxidant activity; anti-cancer activity; important constituent of balanced diet |
| Quercetin | Polyphenols (flavonol) |
Vegetables, fruits, red wines, and blackberries. | Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties |
| Catechin, epicatechin |
Polyphenolic compounds (flavonoids) | Tea (extracted from Camellia sinensis), citrus, apples, berries | Anti-oxidants anti-cancer properties; liver protection; apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells |
| Omega 3 Fatty acids (PUFA, Polyunsaturated fatty acids) | Fatty acids | Salmon, flax seed | Potent controller of the inflammatory processes; maintenance of brain functions; reduce cholesterol disposition; reduce the risk of coronary heart disease |
| Curcumin | Polyphenolic compound (diferuloymethane) | Turmeric root | Anti-inflammatory; effective anti anti-clotting agent; anti-Parkinson, anti- HIV, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities |
| Retinol | Vitamin A | Beef liver, hen eggs, dairy products | Anti-oxidant activity; essential for growth and development in treatment of skin disorder |
| Lactobacilli, bifidobacteria |
Probiotics/prebiotics | Yogurt, dairy applications | May improve gastrointestinal health and systematic immunity |
| Folic acid | Vitamin B | Hen eggs, goat liver, cereals, pulses and green leafy vegetables | Essential for the synthesis of DNA and proteins; important for tissues that undergo proliferation and differentiation processes |