Introduction

Food plays a very crucial role in both health and disease. A healthy life starts with healthy food. In Ayurveda, Ahara is one of the three pillars of life. Nutraceuticals & dietary supplements are versatile in nature. They have become a necessity in the modern world. The classical texts of Ayurveda of 200 BC–700 AD dedicate sections on foods. According to Ayurveda, Swasthya, the best health is being “established in one’s self or one’s natural state. “To achieve this, one has to have a balance of Physical and physiological factors, metabolic and excretory processes, senses, mind, and body tissues, and attain a state of self-awareness and contented self. ^[1] The root cause for the strength, complexion, and vitality of living beings is Ahara (food). It has the ability to control the disease pathology and promote health as well.^[2] Nutraceutical, a term combining the words “Nutrition” and “Pharmaceutical,” is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits and also the prevention and treatment of disease.

The term "nutraceutical" was coined by Stephen L. De Felice in 1989 and is a combination of the words "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical."^[3] A nutraceutical can be a nutrient-rich food, a medicinally active food, or a specific component of a particular food. Examples include garlic, omega-3 (found in fish), soybeans, ginger, minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, hydrolyzed proteins, enriched foods, fortified foods, and so much more.

These are natural substances that offer health benefits beyond their nutritional value, and their origins can be traced back to the ancient Indian system of medicine. Ayurveda uses nutrition to promote health and prevent disease. Many Ayurvedic drugs and herbs can be considered nutraceuticals.

Food is among the three sub-pillars of supporting life. It is the fundamental factor in the creation, continuation, and disintegration of all entities, including the divine Brahman and others. Life is impossible without food. Organic beings derive their growth, power, and, most importantly, radiant health from food. Food is what gives the sense organs strength and allows them to function in their domains.^[5]

Disease and Food

Acharya Charaka emphasizes the importance of food. The body, as well as disease, is formed by food. The majority of fatal illnesses are caused by eating the wrong foods. So, an intelligent and self-controlled man should consume conducive food in right quantity at right time to prevent diseases. Irregularity (Vaishyamya) of diet, which brings about ill health.^[6] Nowadays, diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (Madhumeha), obesity (Sthaulya), insomnia (Nidranasha), anxiety neurosis (Chittodvega), and bronchial asthma (Tamaka Swasa) are highly prevalent and are labelled as lifestyle disorders. Primarily, poor eating habits and behaviours cause these lifestyle disorders. Therefore, due consideration mentioned in Ayurveda should be given to all aspects of diet planning in treating diseases and maintaining health.^[7]

Food as Medicine

According to Acharya Harita if a person ignores the concept of Pathya-Apathya and devours Apathya, illness never leaves their body. Hence person should use Pathya regularly according to their physical and pathological condition regularly.

Ayurvedic diet is a subject that has been thoroughly researched by highly learned Acharyas and gives detailed advice on food preparation, the mental state of the person preparing the food, standards of hygiene, utensils to be used, the right time of eating for good digestion, the proper quantity of food, etc.so that the food ingested provides maximum nutrition. Many examples are provided in Ayurvedic texts in terms of wholesome supplements, Pathya, and Apathya. These are particularly indicated in disease management. For example, pomegranate, amla (Indian gooseberry), buttermilk, etc., are mentioned as good Pathya Ahara (Good dietary supplements) in the management of iron-deficiency anemia. Yogurt is considered unwholesome in most Dosa-imbalanced conditions. There are very specific instructions for consuming yogurt; it should not be taken at night or in seasons such as summer, spring, and fall. It should be taken with sugar candy, honey, or green gram soup. There are also disease-specific or medicine-specific instructions that should be followed for the consumption of Ahara. It is clear from the above section that Ayurveda has its own universally applicable principles, methods, and practices that are very different from biomedicine and modern nutrition concepts. In Charak Samhita, mentioned that the right food or Ahara is not just important for physical well-being, but also for happiness, satisfaction, growth, strength, and a long, stress-free life.

Conclusion

Herbal nutraceuticals have a wide role in health and disease. The Ayurvedic concept of medicinal foods coincides with the existing implications of nutraceuticals. “Sarvam Dravyam Pancha Bhoutikam” which means the rational use of these foods will make us healthy and fit immunologically. There is a huge shift in diet, lifestyle, and health practices owing to rapid modernization. Adapting to healthy practices starting with daily diet may curb the mortality and morbidity of noncommunicable diseases of lifestyle.^[11] When people experience failure from pharmaceuticals, they instantly move towards Nutraceutical or dietary regimens. Ayurveda mentions the benefits of Ahara for therapeutic purposes. It is easily available and cheap and in the form of kitchen remedies. The medical food available in the market is not satisfactory, based on value and pharmaceutical standardization.

It should be eaten in a hygienic place, provided with all accessories, neither too hurriedly nor too leisurely, without talking or laughing, with full concentration and having proper regard for oneself. Also, Fuel like coal is required to keep the fire continuously or enlighten. Similarly, the Ahara acts as the Indhana (fuel) for the Jatharagni and the other Agnis in the body. Ahara alone sustains the properties of Agni in body. This shows the mutual relationship between Ahara and Agni. If food is not taken at all or in less quantity, due to the lack of Indhana, Agni starts digesting Dhatus of body, and these Dhatus get depleted, and Doşas become aggravated, resulting in the diseases. Nowadays people ignore importance of diet according to disease and depend only on medicines prescribed for disease. In this way, in form of order, medicine got first rank and on the other hand second rank is given to diet. But it is mentioned in Ayurvedic scriptures that first aim is to protect health in a healthy man, which should be fulfilled through diet, which is Rasa-predominant in nature. If person is suffering from a particular disease, then in this situation, along with medicine, disease-specific diet should be used. In this way, diet can be used as a primary or secondary treatment modality.

Why Nutraceuticals?

For so many of us, it is impossible to get the required nutrition from the routine food. Secondly, we live in a highly toxic environment, filled with pollution and pesticides that throw off our body’s ability to regulate it. Also, consider the number of new ailments that are haunting us: Epstein Barr, chronic fatigue, lupus, etc; now they are widespread in our population. This is a more sensible strategy to strengthen our system or terrain rather than settling for antibiotics, which have lost their effectiveness. There are many side effects from drugs because they are not natural to the body, whereas, with good quality supplementation that can be absorbed and utilized by the body, we can truly strengthen our body and add vitality.

Why do nutraceuticals seem attractive?

• Their half-life is relatively long.
• Many diets are rich in phenolic components and are consumed daily by human beings.
• They rarely have any side effects. Many people believe this approach is more natural than using prescription-wise drugs.