Role of Nutraceuticals in Skin Health and 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.