Nutraceuticals And The Skin Roles In Health And Disease

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Nutraceuticals and the Skin: Roles in Health and Disease" that was published in Nutrients

The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as a barrier between the inner and external environments. As such, any problems in the skin can have serious effects on systemic health and well-being. Several studies have established that both nutritional and dietary factors play an important role in the maintenance of normal skin integrity, and can execute a causative, preventative and/or treatment role in a number of skin related conditions. Nutritional factors have been studied for their involvement in skin ageing, acne, inflammation and several chronic immune-mediated disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetes, obesity, wounds and various types of skin cancer. The skin condition, in turn, can affect nutritional choices and subsequent nutritional and health status. There are a multitude of mechanisms by which nutraceuticals can counteract adverse skin conditions. Consumption of a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins (nutraceuticals and antioxidants), particularly those derived from fruits and vegetables, not only supports health in general, but also skin maintenance and repair in particular. Epidemiological evidence links consumption of these diets with prevention and mitigation of disease progression. For example, nutraceuticals with anti-oxidative or metal chelating properties are being actively evaluated as natural tools to modulate, prevent or inhibit oxidative processes or modulate advanced glycation end products. However, many other properties of dietary compounds with relevance to skin remain to be characterized. For this Special Issue of Nutrients, we have compiled invited manuscripts describing original research, or reviewing scientific literature examining the role of diets and/or specific nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of skin disorders. These articles describe the beneficial effects of plant extracts and plant-derived compounds and their ability to ameliorate diverse skin-related conditions including UV damage, aging, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin cancer. A comprehensive article summarizes the results of current clinical trials on nutraceuticals for various skin afflicitons. Finally, the outcome and research methods used for studies on nutraceuticals and skin function, and their compliance with European regulations is analyzed. Taken together, this compilation of articles provides an up-to-date view of research into the application of nutraceuticals for skin health, for the researcher and anyone interested in the application of natural, plant-derived agents for treatment of skin disease.

Nutraceuticals are substances that are a food or a part of food, and provide medical or health benefits such as preventing and treating a disease. Alternatively, plant-derived pharmaceuticals are also called nutraceuticals. Nutritional and dietary factors play an important role in maintaining healthy skin. Some of the common types of nutraceuticals such as probiotics, phenolics and vitamins have the potential to prevent and help in medically managing or treating dermatological conditions. Nutritional factors are studied for their use in skin aging, acne, inflammation, and several chronic immune-mediated disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, wounds, and various types of skin cancer. There are several ways by which nutraceuticals can inhibit adverse skin conditions. A diet rich in nutrients and vitamins (nutraceuticals and antioxidants), particularly those derived from fruits and vegetables help in maintaining healthy skin and also prevent disease progression. For instance, nutraceuticals with anti-oxidative or metal chelating properties are being actively examined as natural tools to modulate, prevent, or inhibit oxidative mechanisms. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to the role of nutraceuticals in prevention and treatment of skin disorders. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by it.

Functional foods and nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and natural antioxidants have established their potential roles in the protection of human health against disease. Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Human Health and Disease Prevention examines the benefits, efficacy, and success of properly designed nutraceuticals and functional foods in human health and their possible application in disease prevention. The book demonstrates diverse disease pathophysiology and how nutraceuticals and functional food can be used to combat and prevent disease. The book discusses global food habits and trends, safety and toxicology, and how food addiction or overindulgence of food can lead to a variety of disease states. It then highlights how supplements help in disease prevention. Although a significant number of nutraceuticals and functional foods have demonstrated their efficacy, a large number of supplements are still surviving on false claims. Therefore, the editors underscore risks and benefits, and why government regulatory agencies are so critical of these nutraceutical supplements. With the global nutraceuticals market expected to reach $204.8 billion by 2017, what once seemed a very niche sector has become big business. An overview of nutraceuticals and functional foods and their application in human health, this book exhaustively covers antioxidants, functional foods, and nutraceuticals in human health and disease prevention. With contributions from experts and pioneers, the book gives insight into the role of functional foods in optimal diet and exercise.

The book will educate and decode the role of vitamins, essential fatty acids and other nutraceuticals on skin health and their tremendous impact to the current needs of the skin care industry. Focus on conditions, as acne, dermatitis, dry scaly skin or alopecia will provide a comprehensive knowledge of the relationship of nutrition and skin as well as the current attempts in nutritional or dermatological research. It will stimulate food professionals to brainstorm for new products and opportunities that will target the emerging antiaging and wellness trends and modern consumer needs.

Promoting scientific support for the plethora of health benefits related to nutrition and medicine, Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease Prevention delivers a comprehensive and scientifically sound overview of the latest research findings in disease prevention, therapy, and enhanced body function in the revolutionary field of nutraceutical technolo

Immunity and Inflammation in Health and Disease: Emerging Roles of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Immune Support provides a comprehensive description of the various pathways by which the vertebrate immune system works, the signals that trigger immune response and how fnew and novel nutraceuticals and functional foods, can be used to contain inflammation and also to boost immunity and immune health. Inflammation is a tool to fight pathogens and the vertebrate immune system has a very complex network of cells to achieve this. However inflammation that goes awry is also the leding cause of several diseases ranging from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes. This book covers the entire gamut from the various cellular players in the inflammation-immune response to its ramifications in terms of protection against pathogens as well as in onset of metabolic, aging and auto-immune related diseases. Finally, the balancing role of dietary nutrients between host defence and immune support is also showcased. The first three scetions explain the various components of the immune system and their modes of activation. The fourth section deals with the ramifications of a robust and execessive inflammatory response. The fifth section is focused on the association between nutrition and immunity and how deficiencies in certain nutrients may affect immunocompetence. The sixth section chapters represent a vision of paradigm shifts within the field and discusses possible future directions. This bool will be a valuable reference for researchers studying immune health either in academia, or in the nutraceutical or functional food industries. Product developers in nutraceutical, supplement, functional food, and health food companies will also appreciate the information presented here. Conceptualizes the key features in natural products which can boost immune function and immune health Explains the intricate mechanistic aspects and balance behind immune health Presents the pathophysiology of several diseases associated with immune system disruption

The role of Bioactive Dietary Factors and Plant Extracts in Preventive Dermatology provides current and concise scientific appraisal of the efficacy of foods, nutrients, herbs, and dietary supplements in preventing dermal damage and cancer as well as improving skin health. This important new volume reviews and presents new hypotheses and conclusions on the effects of different bioactive foods and their components derived particularly from vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Primary emphasis is on treatment and prevention of dermal damage focusing on skin cancers with significant health care costs and mortality. Bioactive Dietary Factors and Plant Extracts in Preventive Dermatology brings together expert clinicians and researchers working on the different aspects of supplementation, foods, and plant extracts and nutrition and skin health. Their expertise provides the most current knowledge in the field and will serve as the foundation for advancing future research.