As soon as Dr. Stephen DeFelice coined the phrase nutraceutical, product and supplement developers swung into action. Yet among the numerous books available on nutraceuticals, there is none that systematically lists, categorizes, and analyzes nutraceutical extracts and formulations in a pharmacopoeia-like manner. Handbook of Nutraceuticals, Volume 1: Ingredients, Formulations, and Applications lists information on many ingredients used in nutraceuticals, developing their formulations and applications. The book includes contributions from experts with pharmaceutical backgrounds, providing an examination of nutraceuticals from a pharmaceutical perspective.

Building a foundation with coverage of historical background, definitions, and challenges, the book offers insight into nutraceutical ingredients from plant, animal, and mineral origin. It then covers the characterization of nutraceuticals’ physicochemical, analytical, pharmacological, and pharmacokinetic classification, followed by information on regulatory requirements. The book highlights applications in cardiovascular disease, bone and joint treatments, diabetes management, weight management, skin health, probiotics and prebiotics, tranquilizing medicinal plants, dietary foods, and more.

Interest in new diet regimens and new products for increased health and longevity will continue to grow, giving dietary supplements an increasing amount of cupboard space in most households. With quality of content unsurpassed by many resources, the book discusses the characterization processes for nutraceuticals based on the contributors’ experience in pharmaceuticals. It then explores how those proven techniques may be applied to the development and manufacture of nutraceutical products.