Loknete Dr. J.D. Pawar College of Pharmacy, Manur, Kalwan.
Mental health disorders are a growing concern worldwide, with conventional treatments often having limited efficacy and significant side effects. Nutraceuticals, a class of compounds that combine nutrition and pharmaceuticals, have emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy for mental health. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the use of nutraceuticals in mental health, including their efficacy, safety, and potential mechanisms of action. We also explore the future potential of nutraceuticals in mental health, including the need for further research, standardization of products, and integration into clinical practice. Our review highlights the potential of nutraceuticals, such as omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and curcumin, to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Nutraceuticals is the term that combines “nutrition” & “pharmaceutics.” These products are derived from natural sources, including herbal extracts, dietary supplements, specific regimens, soups, and beverages that serve medicinal purposes in addition to their nutritional value. These formulations are specifically designed to address particularly dietary requirements and offer preventing health benefits. These preparations combine nutrients to prevent and treat various diseases, complementing a balanced diet. Dr. Stephen De Felice is credited with creating the term nutraceuticals in 1989 merging 'nutrition' & 'pharmaceutical.' Nutraceuticals encompass food products or components that offer numerous health benefits, including disease prevention and treatment. The field of nutrition has expanded significantly, shifting from addressing nutrient deficiencies to focusing on human health, to prevention of chronic diseases and treatment. The concepts of nutraceuticals, food supplements, and dietary supplements have evolved from Dr. De Felice's pioneering work. A dietary supplement is defined as a product that contains at least one of the following ingredients: minerals, vitamins, amino acids, botanicals, or other substances intended to enhance the diet. These supplements can take various forms, including concentrates, extracts. They a subset of dietary supplements, serve purposes beyond basic nutrition, providing specific health benefits and promoting overall wellbeing. Nutraceuticals are currently gaining wide popularity in treatment of multiple disorders. Nutraceuticals are different from dietary supplements because in addition to nutritional supplementations of diet, they alsoaid in the prevention and treatment. Nutraceuticals, which are food components with potential health benefits, are increasingly recognized in the field of mental health. This growing interest is driven by accumulating evidence indicating that adequate nutrition can profoundly influence mental well-being. Nutraceuticals may serve as alternative or supplementary treatment options to conventinal medications by targeting fundamental biological processes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter equilibrium. Potential Benefits: Studies indicate that certain nutraceuicals like omega-3 faty acids, vitamin D,B vitamins, and probiotics may help alleviate synptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and cognitive decline by influencing neurotransmitter balance, inflammation, and gut health, which are all interconnected with brain function. A review article on nutraceuticals and mental health explores the relationship between diet, bioactive compounds , and pghysiological well being.Role of nutraceuticals in managing depression, anxiety, conginitive decline, stress, and neurodegenerative diseases.(eg. Alzheimers, Parkinsons). [1,3,8,9]
Figure-1: Nutraceuticals Health Supplements
Classification Of Nutraceuticals
1. Dietary Supplements: This category includes nutrients, and herbs that supplement the diet.
2. Functional Foods: These are foods that offer additional health advantages beyond their fundamental nutritional value such as probiotic yogurt or omega-3 enriched eggs.
3. Pharmaceutical-grade Nutraceuticals: These are high-quality, clinically tested nutraceuticals that meet pharmaceutical standards.
4. Herbal-based Nutraceuticals: These are derived from plants and used for their medicinal properties, such as turmeric or ginger.
5. Probiotics: These are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, such as supporting gut health.
6. Polyphenol-based Nutraceuticals: These are derived from plants and contain polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acid-based Nutraceuticals: These are derived from fish oil or other sources and support heart health.
8. Vitamin and Mineral-based Nutraceuticals: These are essential nutrients that support various bodily functions.
9. Amino Acid-based Nutraceuticals: These are building blocks of protein that support muscle growth and recovery. (Source: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
10. Botanical-based Nutraceuticals: These are derived from plants and used for their medicinal properties, such as ginkgo biloba or St. John's Wort. (Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). [2,8]
Concept Of Nutraceuticals:
The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on animal studies to confirm the therapeutic effects of new treatments. However, assessing the disease-preventing properties of food has historically been challenging due to a lack of standardized methods. Recent scientific breakthroughs have revealed the significant impact of food composition on lifestyle-related health issues, elevating this concern to a societal level.Nutraceuticals, products derived from food sources, have garnered recognition for their potential health benefits. These benefits may include reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, as well as managing conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Additionally, nutraceuticals may alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, insomnia, cognitive decline, and digestive issues.The concept of nutraceuticals is gaining traction as a viable strategy for disease prevention. As research continues to uncover the connections between food, nutrition, and health, the importance of nutraceuticals in maintaining overall well-being is becoming increasingly evident. [5,6,7,8]
Figure 2: Concept of Nutraceuticals
Growth Of Nutraceuticals in Market
The global nutraceuticals and functional foods market has grown into a Mega-scale industry with projections indicating sustained expansion. However significant challanges to growth in this sector arises from the need for accurate labelling and evaluation of the health impacts associated with these products. To address this, focusing on the consistent production of high and low yeilding active plant components within designated ecological regions can foster the development of alternatives nutraceuticals and functional foods. India renowed for its diverse array of medicinal herbs, spices, and species, contributes significantly to its domestics market. Nutraceuticals and functional foods are offered as time-honored Ayurvedic remedies from India are now commercially available under brand names. However, Indian lacks stringent pharamaceuticals regualations governing Ayurvedic and nutraceuticals health products. India holds substantial share of the global functional foods and nutraceuticals market, exporting its products to numerous countries, primarily the United States and Japan.[4]
Figure 3: Growth of the nutraceuticals in market
Nutraceuticals Used in Mental Health
Figure 4: Nutraceuticals used in mental health
Mechanism Of Action: Nutaceuticals in Mental Disorders [5]
Figure 5: Mechanism Of Action: Nutraceuticals in mental health
Nutraceuticals Roles in Psychological Health
The role of nutraceuticals in psychological health has gained significant attention.The key nutraceuticals and their impact on mental health. Psychological health conditions arise genetic, environmental,and lifestyle influences. Nutraceuticals offer a complementary,natural approach to traditional treatments,working to balance neurotransmitter function,alleviate inflammation,promote neural regeneration,and foster a healthier dialogue between the gut and brain.[13,15,18,21]
Figure 6: Nutraceuticals Roles in Mental Health
Key Nutraceuticals and Their Effects:
(Sources-Fatty fish,Flaxseeds, walnuts.)
yt
(Sources – Whole grains, Meat, eggs, legumes,leafy greens.)
(Sources : Yoghurt, kefir)
4) Curcumin:
(Sources : Turmeric,Ginger)
Psychological Factors:
While the biochemical impacts of nuttaceuticals are crucial, psychosocial factors also plays a primary role in mental health. Stress, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, and social support systems can influence the efficacy of nutraceutical interventions. Thus, a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modifications alongside nutraceutical consumption is essential for optimal outcomes.[18,19]
To Innovate in The Review of Nutraceuticals and Their Role in Mental Health, Consider the Following Approaches:
1. Interdisciplinary Synthesis
- Integrate Diverse Fields: Combine insights from nutrition science, psychology, psychiatry, neurobiology, and sociology. This holistic approach can provide a more comprehensive understanding of how nutraceuticals effect on mental health across different populations.
- Collaboration with Technologists: Collaborate with data scientists to include advanced statistical methods or machine learning in analyzing large datasets from clinical studies or nutrition databases.
2. Personalized Nutraceutical Profiles
- Tailored Recommendations: Discuss the potential for personalized nutraceutical regimens based on individual genetic profiles, microbiome analysis, and specific mental health conditions. Utilize concepts from nutrigenomics and personalized medicine.
- Digital Platforms: Explore innovative platforms that utilize artificial intelligence to deliver personalized nutraceutical recommendations based on user inputs regarding diet, lifestyle, and mental health status.
3. Incorporating Behavioral Factors
- Focus on Behavioral Change: Investigate how behavioral interventions, such as motivational interviewing or cognitive-behavioral therapy, can enhance the efficacy of nutraceuticals and improve adherence to dietary recommendations.
- Mindfulness and Nutritional Intake: Explore the relationship between mindfulness practices, dietary choices (including nutraceutical use), and mental health outcomes.
4. Emerging Nutraceuticals and Novel Ingredients
- Explore New Ingredients: Highlight innovative and lesser-known nutraceuticals, such as adaptogens or medicinal mushrooms (e.g., Lion's mane), and their potential effects on mental health.
- Synergistic Effects: Conduct a review of studies exploring the synergistic effects of combining various nutraceuticals for synergistic mental health benefits.
5. Methodological Innovations
- Longitudinal Studies: Advocate for or conduct longitudinal studies that track dietary patterns and mental health outcomes over time, which may reveal causal relationships not evident in cross-sectional studies.
- Real-World Evidence: Emphasize incorporating real-world data and observational studies to supplement clinical trial findings, providing a broader context for the effects of nutraceuticals on mental health.
6. Evaluating Regulatory Frameworks
- Regulatory Insights: Review the existing regulatory frameworks governing the use of nutraceuticals and discuss how these can evolve to better support mental health interventions.
- Consumer Protection and Education: Evaluate how better consumer education and labeling could improve the safe and effective use of nutraceuticals.
7. Community-Based Interventions
- Public Health Initiatives: Highlight the potential of community-based interventions that combine nutraceutical education with mental health support, making nutritional counseling accessible to diverse populations.
- Cultural Factors: Examine the influence of cultural beliefs and practices on dietary habits and the acceptance of nutraceuticals in mental health treatments.
8. Technology-Driven Approaches
- Mobile Health Applications: Explore the role of mobile health (mHealth) applications in tracking nutraceutical intake, lifestyle modifications, and mental health status, creating a feedback loop for users.
-Telehealth Integration: Discuss how telehealth platforms could integrate nutraceutical recommendations into online therapy sessions, providing a more comprehensive mental health support system.
9. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
- Conduct Comprehensive Meta-Analyses: For specific nutraceuticals, conduct or encourage systematic reviews and meta-analyses to synthesize data across studies to find stronger, evidence-based conclusions about their effectiveness.[7]
Future Prospectives:
Here are some potential future prospects for "Nutraceuticals for Mental Health: A Review on Current and Future Potential":
1] Short-Term Prospects
1. Increased research funding: Governments and private organizations may increase funding for research on nutraceuticals for mental health, leading to a better understanding of their mechanisms of action and efficacy.
2. Development of new nutraceuticals: Researchers may identify new nutraceuticals with potential therapeutic benefits for mental health, such as novel polyphenols or omega-3 fatty acid derivatives.
3. Standardization of nutraceuticals: Efforts may be made to standardize the quality and composition of nutraceuticals, ensuring that products are consistent and effective.
2] Mid-Term Prospects
1. Integration into clinical practice: Nutraceuticals may become increasingly integrated into clinical practice, with healthcare professionals recommending them as adjunctive therapies for mental health disorders.
2. Development of personalized nutrition approaches: Researchers may develop personalized nutrition approaches that take into account individual differences in genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, optimizing the therapeutic benefits of nutraceuticals.
3. Increased awareness and education: Public awareness and education campaigns may be launched to inform consumers about the potential benefits and risks of nutraceuticals for mental health.
3] Long-Term Prospects
1. Widespread adoption: Nutraceuticals may become a mainstream treatment option for mental health disorders, with widespread adoption by healthcare professionals and consumers.
2. Development of novel delivery systems: Researchers may develop novel delivery systems for nutraceuticals, such as nanoparticles or probiotics, to enhance their bioavailability and efficacy.3. Increased focus on prevention: The focus may shift from treating mental health disorders to preventing them, with nutraceuticals playing a key role in promoting mental health and well-being.[10,11,13]
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the use of nutraceuticals in mental health. The findings suggest particular nutraceuticals mainly polyphenols probiotics may have a positive impact on mental health outcomes, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, improved cognitive function, and enhanced stress resilience. While the evidence is promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to establish the efficacy and safety of nutraceuticals in mental health. As the field continues to evolve, it is likely that nutraceuticals will play an increasingly important role in the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.
AKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Authors express their sincere appreciation to all researchers, scientists and experts whose working has provided to the development of this review article on creams. We would like to extend our special thanks to our project guide Surana S.S. for providing us with the necessary resources and support to complete this review.
REFRENCES
Patil Vaishnavi*, Dr. Surana S. S., Nutraceuticals for Mental Health: A Review on Current and Future Potential, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 3, 764-774. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14999545
10.5281/zenodo.14999545
