Industry sees Increased Push for Ayurveda Signals Shift towards Scientifically Validated Nutraceuticals

The increased interest in holistic health and natural approaches to wellbeing is reflected in the drive for Ayurveda, herbal therapies, and nutraceuticals to overcome nutritional gaps. In India, the healthcare sector has developed significantly after Covid-19, with a greater emphasis on nutraceuticals emerging as the way forward. Nutraceuticals, according to Rohit Shelatkar, vice president of Vitabiotics, have the potential to become a preventive healthcare model in the future. These are fortified items that serve an important role in maintaining physiological function.

Fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, prebiotics, probiotics, and other natural and herbal products are among these foods. They are steadily gaining popularity as a way to improve one's welfare and, as a result, prevent illness transmission. A shift towards holistic healthcare is one of the trends that would pave the way for the expansion of the nutraceutical market.

Nutraceutical supplements, he says, provide a natural solution to bridge nutritional gaps while also supporting general health and wellness, making them a viable alternative as a preventative healthcare paradigm. In the rising chronic disease burden, functional food, dietary supplement, and herbal & natural product industries all fall under the umbrella of the nutraceutical sector. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and obesity, has led to a greater emphasis on preventive measures. Nutraceuticals, when integrated into a balanced diet, exercise, and lifestyle regimen, have the potential to mitigate risk factors and promote better health outcomes. By addressing the root causes of these diseases, nutraceuticals can play a crucial role in reducing the burden of chronic conditions, he noted. With its enormous cultural heritage of traditional medicine and natural cures, India has significant nutraceutical market potential. According to a recent estimate, India's preventive healthcare market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 22% to $197 billion by 2025. The apparent rise in health consciousness and awareness of preventative healthcare is projected to fuel demand for nutraceutical products.

Consumers want a clean alternative that can be traced back to its source and quality. Nutraceuticals are a feasible option with a perception of safety and fewer side effects, according to Shelatkar, as people seek alternatives to pharmaceutical medications.He also mentioned the incentive healthcare concept. In the wake of fast paced urbanization, nutraceuticals can play a role in addressing nutrition-related challenges and promoting better health among urban populations. With the increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare and the growing interest in natural remedies, nutraceuticals have the potential to become a crucial component of the future healthcare model, said the Vitabiotics chief. To fully realize the potential of nutraceuticals as a preventive healthcare model, continued research, education, and collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and the industry will be vital, Shelatkar said.