Nutritional Supplements and Herbal Medicines

Abstract

Nutritional supplements are foods meant to be enriched in vitamins, minerals or amino acids. They can be unpurified plant extracts, where several constituents work in synergy. The 2016 FSSAI regulations classify food supplements into eight categories: health supplements such as vitamins, nutraceuticals such as ginseng, food for special dietary use such as that used in pregnancy, food for special medical purpose such as total diet replacement, specialty food containing plant or botanicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and novel foods prepared with novel engineering processes. These regulations specify the maximum allowable contents and a pre-approved list of botanicals, food additives, nutraceuticals, probiotics, and prebiotics. They are commonly indicated for treating urinary tract infections, constipation, anxiety, hypertriglyceridemia, arthritis, as immune-stimulants, anti-oxidants, to treat dementia and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Though commonly used over the counter, these agents are not free of concerns such as misguided efficacy and safety beliefs, drug interactions, and improper instructions for use.