Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Nutraceuticals Or Dietary Supplements: Which Is Better For Joint Health?

 The majority of people are attentive that what they eat affects their vitality and lifespan, but they might have no idea where the line between food and drugs truly lies. Many products claim to be helpful for arthritis and joint health. 


Some are dietary supplements, while others are functional foods (food products consumed as part of a daily diet that may provide benefits in addition to nutrition) or nutraceuticals. As we've discovered, the definitions of nutraceuticals, supplements, and functional foods overlap slightly, but each has a distinct place in the modern food industry. 


What is a Nutraceutical?


A nutraceutical is a food or food component that claims to have health benefits like disease prevention and treatment. The term nutraceutical is a combination of the words nutrition and pharmaceutical. 


Nutraceuticals, rather than merely supplementing your diet, could perhaps help you achieve disease treatment objectives. They may be able to do so without exposing you to the potentially harmful side effects of prescription drugs.


What is a Dietary Supplement?


A dietary supplement is a product that contains a dietary ingredient that is intended to provide extra nutritional value to your diet. Many joint support supplements can be used in the treatment of inflammation and arthritis. 


The dietary ingredient could be one or a combination of the following:


  • Vitamins

  • Minerals

  • Amino acids

  • Herbs


Dietary supplements may facilitate you in ensuring an adequate dietary intake of essential nutrients. They are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids.


What are Functional Foods?


Functional foods are ingredients that provide health benefits in addition to their nutritional content. Some contain supplements or other extra ingredients that are aimed to enhance health. It is any food that has been enriched to improve overall nutrition.


Foods fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or fiber are a few examples. Nutrient-rich ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains are frequently regarded as functional foods.


What Makes Nutraceuticals Different From Dietary Supplements?


Nutraceuticals are more than just dietary supplements. They, as previously stated, aid in disease prevention and treatment. Conceptually, the appeal of nutraceuticals stems from the ability to achieve treatment goals while minimizing side effects.


Glucosamine, for example, appears to be more of a nutraceutical than a dietary supplement by definition because it promotes joint health. 


According to the Merck Manual, "dietary supplements, which include medicinal herbs and nutraceuticals, are the most commonly used alternative therapy." This is an example of how nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are frequently associated.


How do Dietary Supplements help with joint problems?


Joint support supplements are used highest among those 50 and older, non-Hispanic white people, those with more schooling, and those with medical insurance. Glucosamine, with or without chondroitin, was the most commonly used supplement for arthritis-related joint health.


While traditional treatment for osteoarthritis usually involves the use of anti-inflammatory medications, analgesic medications, surgical intervention, as well as focusing on healthy body weight and regular physical activity. 

Nutritional and dietary measures are an incredibly common complementary approach — especially among those who prefer non-pharmacologic treatment options.


Nutraceuticals appear to play a part in articular cartilage processes. The structural stability of cartilage is undermined in osteoarthritis. It may help to keep the balance of anabolic (build-up) and catabolic (break-down) indicators in the joints.


Conclusion


If developing your health is at the top of the priority list, fill your plate with whole grains, lean protein sources, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds every day. While eating healthy foods offers you essential nutrients, they may not be sufficient. Including nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals in your menu plan can guide you to fill in the gaps. 


NutraPak can assist you in making the proper choice among them. We are the leading supplier of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals in the USA. These have supplements and vitamins for joint pain in the knees as well as many multivitamins. Visit us for more info! 


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