It is widely known that athletes used to rely on training and good nutrition to provide maximum results. But now to maintain a competitive edge, athletes are switching to nutraceuticals. They are dietary supplements that provide health benefits. Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are now commonly used to enhance and improve the health and performance of athletes. This has triggered the sale of nutraceuticals in the market and stores and gyms are selling hundreds of different supplements. These nutritional supplements usually claim to improve strength, performance and stamina, help build lean muscle, and help to burn excess fat. There are many health and nutritional supplements available in the market for the athletes. It is a difficult choice to choose the suitable and appropriate nutraceutical for oneself. The present article will introduce the athlete to a variety of different nutritional health supplements available in the market including fat burners, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), numerous essential fatty acids (EFAs), creatine, whey proteins, glutamine, Tribulusterrestris, beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), methoxyIsoflavone, and Cordyceps.

This chapter deals with the latest advances and trends in a field that is becoming a commercially significant area of investigation for the pharmaceutical industry. Some of the medicinal plants used in traditional medicines are described, including their active constituents and medicinal properties: Aloe vera, Terminalia arjuna, Withania somnifera, Acacia arabica [A. nilotica], Phyllanthus niruri, Vaccinium spp., Caulophyllum thalictroides, Bacopa monnieri, Rhamnus cathartica, Cinnamomum cassia [C. aromaticum], Coleus forskohlii, Eucalyptus globulus, Zingiber officinale, Gymnema sylvestre, Panax ginseng, Commiphora wightii, Myristica fragrans, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Punica granatum, Boerhavia diffusa, Rosmarinus officinalis, Senna alexandrina, Asparagus racemosus and Commiphora molmol [C. myrrha]. There is growing interest in correlating the phytochemical constituents of a plant with its pharmacological activity. Scientists have even started correlating the botanical properties of plants with their pharmacological activity.

Though very little scientific studies have been carried out on their mode of action it is believed to block the activity of several enzymes,

Siddha system is a wonderful medical system since ancient times. The medical system fully depends upon concept of the nature. Herbals are always having highly potent medicinal value without causing any adverse effects. Gowthamar chooranam is one of the best Siddha formulation indicated in Siddha literatures for the management of hepatic diseases. Though this formulation is being used in clinical practice, Scientic documentation to standardize this drug is essential nowadays. So, the Siddha formu lation Gowthamar chooranam is subjected into characterization using FTIR and SEM. The results confirmed that the presence of functional groups Amide, Phenols and alcohols, Alkanes, Aldehyde, Amine, Alkenes, Alkanes , Ester , ether, Alkyne. The resul ts of SEM analysis shows the morphological nature of the drug Gowthamar chooranam. These findings will help for further research in Gowthamar chooranam.

This book chapter discusses the overall trends of the Westernization of the diet and dietary acculturation, and provides country-specific evidence (Okinawa, Japan; Inuit and remote Alaskan populations, USA; Grenada, Caribbean; China; Japan; and the Mediterranean) for the adoption of a Western diet. Examples are presented of some traditional diets and their disease-fighting constituents that are slowly being forgotten. The chapter then reviews the depletion of phytochemicals and the resulting risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. Finally, the chapter presents some phytochemicals that are associated with the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer.