Potential of Nanomaterial Applications in Dietary Supplements and Foods for Special Medical Purposes

Abstract

Dietary supplements and foods for special medical purposes are special medical products classified according to the legal basis. They are regulated, for example, by the European Food Safety Authority and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as by various national regulations issued most frequently by the Ministry of Health and/or the Ministry of Agriculture of particular countries around the world. They constitute a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants or other compounds with a nutritional or physiological effect contained in the food/feed, alone or in combination, intended for direct consumption in small measured amounts. As nanotechnology provides “a new dimension” accompanied with new or modified properties conferred to many current materials, it is widely used for the production of a new generation of drug formulations, and it is also used in the food industry and even in various types of nutritional supplements. These nanoformulations of supplements are being prepared especially with the purpose to improve bioavailability, protect active ingredients against degradation, or reduce side effects. This contribution comprehensively summarizes the current state of the research focused on nanoformulated human and veterinary dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods for special medical purposes, their particular applications in various food products and drinks as well as the most important related guidelines, regulations and directives.

Graphenic Materials for Biomedical Applications

“…Delivery systems are specific formulations that are used to transfer/deliver biologically active ingredients/agents in plants or animal/human organisms to a target/specific site/tissue of action, in order to provide a specific release of the active agent upon delivery, or to ensure the stability of the active agent up until it is delivered to the correct location. In biomedical applications, delivery systems are mainly used for drugs, proteins, and genes [104,105,[122][123][124][125][126].…”

Use of Nanomaterials in Food Science

“…Nanocapsules can be incorporated into food to deliver any nutrient. Addition of nanoparticles to existing food can also enable increased absorption of these nutrients (Jampilek et al 2019). Nanoparticle additives could easily be absorbed by the body, and these could increase shelf life of the product.…”

Emerging Nanopharmaceuticals and Nanonutraceuticals in Cancer Management

“…Nutraceuticals are typically defined as pharmaceutical-grade standardized nutrients derived from food sources that, in addition to providing basic nutrients, also provide extra health benefits [92]. They mainly differ from non-pharmaceuticals in that they do not provide a pharmacologically active ingredient and instead deliver nutritional supplementation for medicinal purposes [93].…”