4 Primary Benefits of Nutraceuticals

Advancements in healthcare have made it possible for people to address general health issues using innovative techniques and community-based services. Meal programs that use nutraceuticals offer people a new way to improve their diet and health. According to the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, “Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy, or support the structure or function of the body … nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition understands the benefits of nutraceuticals and uses them to help people improve their health.

What Are Nutraceuticals?

Nutraceuticals are supplements added to meals to make them more nutritious. According to Foods, “The term ‘nutraceutical‘ was coined into existence in 1989 by Dr. Stephen DeFelice from the word nutrition and pharmaceutical, and it refers to the food or part of food that provides health benefits, including prevention and treatment of diseases beyond its nutritional functions – how a biologically or pharmacologically active substance (drug) alters a living organism, influencing the synthesis of proteins and the genetic material (DNA), translates into the mechanism of action.”

Nutraceuticals are natural substances designed to boost health. Some of the most common nutraceuticals added to meals include:

• Vitamin E
• Selenium
• Vitamin D
• Green tea
• Soy
• Lycopene

Many natural substances derived from fruits and vegetables become added nutraceuticals in home-delivered meals provided by LifeSpring Home Nutrition.

4 Primary Benefits of Nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals enrich food and improve people’s diets by providing additional vitamins and minerals to everyday foods. The substances are used to enhance nutrition and help people develop healthier diets. Below are four of the primary benefits of nutraceuticals.

#1. Reduced Inflammation

Unaddressed inflammation due to an unhealthy diet or lifestyle often impacts the following:

• Joints
• Gut health
• Kidneys
• Heart
• Immune system

Older adults have an increased risk of experiencing health issues caused by inflammation. According to Nutrients, “Because nutraceuticals are beneficial without any adverse effects, their use should always be considered in elderly patients, even in those who apparently do not suffer from vitamin deficits.”

In some cases, nutraceuticals “reduce the onset of different diseases both related to the inflammation and immune deficit/dysfunction.” Nutraceuticals improve people’s diets and can reduce or eliminate inflammation. Some people with chronic conditions, including arthritis, may use nutraceuticals to reduce or manage symptoms.

#2. Increased Energy

Nutritional meals are a primary source of energy. Individuals with chronic health issues may have difficulty remaining energized throughout the day. According to the previously mentioned article by the International Journal of Preventative Medicine, green tea is “[an] effective nutraceutical that can increase energy.” Many other substances can be added to meals to help people increase their energy throughout the day. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers immune boosts and medically tailored meals (MTMs) to support individuals with chronic fatigue due to health issues or malnutrition.

#3. Improved Immune System Response

The immune system protects the body from sickness and disease. Some conditions, including cancer and autoimmune disorders, lower a person’s immune response. Certain foods and substances, including nutraceuticals, improve the immune response. People with a higher risk of disease and infection often benefit from eating foods that strengthen the immune system.

#4. The Benefits of Nutraceuticals Reduces Preventable Diseases

Preventable diseases are some of the leading causes of emergency room (ER) visits. Millions of individuals could protect themselves from common diseases by eating nutrient-enriched foods, including home-delivered meals with added nutraceuticals. LifeSpring Home Nutrition tailors meals to meet people’s needs and ensures they follow a diet that supports their short- and long-term health. Nutraceuticals prevent diseases by improving people’s diets and ensuring they receive a balance of essential vitamins and minerals in every meal.

Benefits of Nutraceuticals in Meals From LifeSpring Home Nutrition

Many different nutraceuticals are used to improve people’s diets. Often, individuals are unaware of the various interactions between supplements. Sometimes, people may not know how to correctly add supplements to their diet to improve overall health and wellness.

Home-delivered meals with nutraceuticals provide advantages without putting people at risk of combining supplements or using too many supplements per meal. A registered dietitian (RD) oversees the addition of nutraceuticals and other supplements to ensure they enrich the meals and target health issues experienced by clients.

Nutraceuticals Enhance Medically Tailored Meals

MTMs are meant to address specific health conditions. People may be prescribed MTMs if they experience the following:

• Severe illness or injury requiring hospitalization
• Surgery
• Eating disorders
• Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting food due to illness or injury
• Diabetes
• Substance use disorder (SUD)

LifeSpring Home Nutrition adds nutraceuticals to meals to ensure people have the nutrients to meet their health goals. Weekly home-delivered meals give people the energy to heal and manage their fitness. MTMs also offer people consistency and make it easier for those recovering from physical or mental health disorders to maintain a healthy meal schedule.

Enriched foods help people with medical conditions heal and manage their conditions. Home-delivered meals are made using high-quality ingredients. In some cases, nutraceuticals are added to meals to enrich the dishes. Recipes are created with the oversight of a registered dietitian (RD) to ensure that every meal option offers people the ideal balance of nutrients. Nutraceuticals are an excellent way to improve people’s diets if medical conditions affect their ability to digest certain foods. LifeSpring Home Nutrition uses nutraceuticals when necessary to create tailored meals to meet people’s unique needs. To learn more about our services and how we use nutraceuticals to enrich our foods, call us today at (800) 798-5767.