Nutraceuticals: Bone or Bane

Excessive Vitamin intake is risky

In 2022 a case reported in Agra of a man who took a  week's prescription dose of Vitamin D for a month was admitted with Hypervitaminosis D, Hypercalcemia and concerning renal values

Nutraceuticals are nutritionally fortified food or supplements marketed for their health benefits. This being regulated by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is less stringent  than CDSCO (Drug regulatory) makes it easier to be available as Over the counter medications with no mandatory validations. The companies often missell nutraceuticals with fake claims. 

It is high time we bring more regulations to nutraceuticals that is used both as treatment and food supplement. Health care professionals while prescribing Nutraceuticals must ensure to prescribe them on the basis of documented deficiency. The potential benefits and side effects must be explained to the patients.