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110ANALESRANFwww.analesranf.comNutraceutics: Current statement and future prospectsPilar Aranda Ram%u00edrezAn. R.Acad. Farm.Vol. 91. n%u00ba1 (2025) %u00b7 pp. 109-130KEYWORDSNutraceuticsLegislationUse in health anddiseaseSecurity andquality controlPharmacologicalinteractionsFuture prospects1. INTRODUCCI%u00d3NUn alimento funcional se puede considerarcomo tal si se ha demostrado suficientementeque afecta beneficiosamente (m%u00e1s all%u00e1 deproporcionar nutrici%u00f3n adecuada desde elpunto de vista tradicional) a una o variasfunciones relevantes del organismo, demanera que proporciona un mejor estado desalud y bienestar y/o reduce el riesgo depadecer una enfermedad.Los complementos alimenticios, se definenen la Directiva 2002/46/CE del ParlamentoEuropeo (transpuesta a nuestro ordenamientojur%u00eddico por el Real Decreto 1487/2009) como%u201clos productos alimenticios cuyo fin seacomplementar la dieta normal y consistentesen fuentes concentradas de nutrientes o deotras sustancias que tengan un efectonutricional o fisiol%u00f3gico, en forma simple ocombinada, comercializados en formadosificada, es decir c%u00e1psulas, pastillas,tabletas, p%u00edldoras y otras formas similares,bolsitas de polvos, ampollas de l%u00edquido,botellas con cuentagotas y otras formassimilares de l%u00edquidos y polvos que debentomarse en peque%u00f1as cantidades unitarias%u201d.Los complementos alimenticios se debentomar a las dosis diarias recomendadas en eletiquetado del producto y desde el punto devista legal son alimentos. Por otro lado, es delas pocas materias dentro del campoalimentario no armonizadas en el seno de laUni%u00f3n Europea. As%u00ed, el mercado europeo de loscomplementos alimenticios compuestos porsustancias distintas a las vitaminas y mineraleses muy heterog%u00e9neo tanto en lo relativo a lassustancias utilizadas en los mismos como a lasituaci%u00f3n normativa de un Estado miembro aotro. Se estima que en la actualidad se est%u00e1nutilizando en la Uni%u00f3n Europea m%u00e1s deABSTRACTThe relationship between health and nutrition has been well known since ancienttimes. Nutrition is about achieving a balanced diet, also facing the challenge offinding new foods and/or food components that allow for further ensuring thestate of health and reducing the risk of suffering from degenerative and/orchronic diseases. The term nutraceutical, introduced by DeFelice in 1989,encompasses those foods or food supplements that contain some bioactiveingredient that exerts a positive function in maintaining health and preventingdiseases. The differences in nuances with the functional food and foodsupplement (dietary supplements in English-speaking countries) are highlightedin detail, supported by the current legal regulations on the subject.Nutraceuticals are taken as concentrates of certain compounds and are presentedin a pharmaceutical form (tablets, pills, suspensions, etc.). Functional foods, onthe other hand, are foods that are generally consumed in the diet and for whichtheir health benefits have been scientifically evaluated. Unlike medicines, foodsupplements do not require authorisation for their sale. This paper reviews theconcept of nutraceuticals (a very broad category of products whose market israpidly expanding), and emphasises the applications of their use in cardiovasculardiseases, in chemotherapy and radiotherapy against cancer, and in the treatmentof skin and obesity. Attention is paid to the physical-chemical and technicalcharacteristics of their formulations and to their suitability for the use for whichthey are intended. Polyphenols, liposomes and nanoemulsions have proven to beespecially useful. Safety and quality control (contamination, adulteration orlabelling) is a priority issue. The nutraceutical sector is experiencing potentialgrowth, and is involved in both medical treatment and nutrition, thusguaranteeing integrated medical care.