Introduction

Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals: A Textbook provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to the science, therapeutic applications, and clinical significance of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals in modern healthcare. The book explores how vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, probiotics, phytochemicals, herbs, and functional foods contribute to disease prevention, health promotion, and the management of various clinical conditions. Emphasising both nutritional science and therapeutic relevance, it bridges the gap between traditional nutrition concepts and evidence-based healthcare applications.

The book is systematically organised to guide readers from foundational concepts to advanced applications. It begins with an introduction to dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, antioxidants, and their role in combating oxidative stress and associated disorders. Subsequent chapters discuss the antioxidant potential and healthcare applications of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, therapeutic uses of macro- and micronutrients, and the benefits of essential fatty acids in maintaining physiological health. Additional chapters focus on prebiotics and probiotics as therapeutic agents, phytochemicals and functional foods, and the role of medicinal herbs such as turmeric, milk thistle, hawthorn, grape seeds, psyllium husk, and St. John’s wort in clinical practice.

A distinctive feature of this textbook is its educational and application-focused approach. Each chapter includes summaries, case studies, practice questions, and MCQs to reinforce learning and support academic instruction. The text combines biochemical principles, pharmacological insights, clinical evidence, and real-world healthcare applications, making it both informative and accessible.

Key Features

• - Comprehensive coverage of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods.
• - Detailed discussions on vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, and phytochemicals.
• - Clinical and therapeutic perspectives supported by scientific evidence.
• - Inclusion of medicinal herbs and their healthcare applications.
• - Case studies, practice questions, and MCQs for academic learning and self-assessment.
• - Balanced integration of nutrition science, pharmacology, and healthcare applications.

Target Readership :

The book is primarily intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students in pharmacy, nutrition, dietetics, food science, and allied health sciences.