This document provides information about nutrition and nutraceuticals from a consultant clinical dietician/nutritionist. It discusses why nutrition is important, common nutraceutical products on the market, macro and micronutrients, recent nutrition trends involving prebiotics and probiotics, the 13 vitamins including their functions, deficiency symptoms, and recommended dietary allowances. The vitamins discussed include both water soluble vitamins like vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folate, cobalamin and fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K.
2. Why Nutrition?
Food supplements/Nutraceutical products for adults are complementary or
alternative treatment of ailments
Food supplements/Nutraceutical products are concentrated source of all
desired macro and micro nutrients to derive ones daily dose
Food supplements/Nutraceutical products play a vital role with the insurance
of daily nutritional requirements in today's busy life.
3. Nutraceuticals in Market
Nutraceuticals is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product
derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic
nutritional value found in foods.
Syrup
Tablet
Gel capsule
Sachet
4. What is Nutrition
Nutrition
Essential Nutrients
Macronutrients
Micronutrients
7. Recent Trends
Advance Nutrition
Medicine Nutrition
For Example
Prebiotics like Inulin
Active Probiotic like in fermented products e.g yogurt
9. Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that people need in small quantities.
Recommended amounts of different types of vitamins may be expressed in
milligrams (mg), micrograms (mcg), or international units (IU), depending on the
nutrient.
The 13 known vitamins fall into two categories:
Fat soluble Vitamins
Water soluble Vitamins
10. Water Soluble Vitamins
Water soluble vitamins include
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
B1 Thiamin
B2 Riboflavin
B3 Niacin
B5 Pantothenic acid
B6 Vitamin (pyridoxine, Pyridoxal and pyridoxamine)
B7 Biotin
B9 Folacin
B12 vitamin
11. Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Fat soluble vitamin include
vitamin A
D
E
K
because they are soluble in organic solvents and are absorbed and transported in
manner similar to that of fats.
12. Causes of Deficiencies General
1. Failure to take the proper quantity and quality of foods to meet individual
requirements
2. Inadequate intake of food because of gastrointestinal disorders e.g. acidity
3. Defective absorption or utilization of food because of gastrointestinal disorders
e.g. chronic diarrhea, intestinal parasitism.
13. Causes of Deficiencies General
4. Increased need for food in conditional cases
5. Impaired metabolism of nutrients, hereditary or acquired (liver damage, drugs).
6. Interaction of drugs and nutrients.
15. Thiamin B1
Although thiamine is needed for the
metabolism of fats, protein and nucleic acids,
it is most strongly linked with carbohydrate
metabolism.
The decarboxylation of pyruvate, which is
concerned only with carbohydrate
metabolism, is the first to suffer from thiamine
deficiency.
16. Deficiencies of Vitamin B1
Clinical signs of thiamine deficiency primarily involve the nervous and cardiovascular
systems, eventually expressed in the deficiency disease of beriberi.
Symptoms include mental confusion, muscular wasting, edema (wet beriberi)
peripheral paralysis, tachycardia and enlarged heart.
In dry beriberi symptoms are peripheral neuropathy with loss of function or paralysis of
the lower extremities.
Neuropathy in diabetics
Cause fatigue and malaise in old age
17. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table
Age RDA Age RDA
Infants 1-6 months 0.3 mg Females 11-50 years 1.1 mg
7-12 months 0.4 mg 50+ years 1.0 mg
Children 1-3 years 0.7 mg Pregnant 1.5 mg
4-6 years 0.9 mg Lactating 1.6 mg
7-10 years 1.0 mg
Males 11-14 years 1.3 mg
15-50 years 1.5 mg
51+ years 1.2 mg
*Recommended Dietary Allowances, 10th edition, c. 1989 byNAS.
18. Riboflavin B2
Riboflavin combines with
phosphoric acid to become part
of the structure of co-enzymes,
FMN and FAD.
These co-enzymes catalyze
oxidation-reduction reactions in
the cells and function as
hydrogen carriers in the
mitochondrial electron transport
system.
19. Deficiencies of Vitamin B2
Early deficiency symptoms include burning and itching of the eyes, loss of visual
acuity, and soreness and burning of lips, mouth and tongue.
Riboflavinosis is characterized by the development of cheilosis (fissuring of the
lips) angular stomatitis (cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth) a greasy
eruption of the skin of vagina; a purple swollen tongue; and capillary overgrowth
around the cornea of the eye.
Cell repair and energy metabolism.
20. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table
Infants
Age
1 year
RDA
0.4-0.5 mg
Children 1-10 years 0.8-1.2 mg
Males
Females
11-14 years
15-18 years
19-50 years
51+ years
Pregnant
Lactating(1st 6 months)
Lactating(2nd 6 months)
1.5 mg
1.8 mg
1.7 mg
1.4 mg
1.6 mg
1.8 mg
1.7 mg
21. Pyridoxine B6
co-enzyme that function primarily
in transamination and other
reactions related to protein
metabolism.
As a co-enzyme for phosphorylase
pyridoxine facilitates the release of
glycogen from the liver and muscle
as glucose-1-phosphate.
The formation of sphingolipids
(phospholipids), involved in the
development of the myelin sheath
surrounding nerve cells is also
vitamin B6 dependent.
22. Deficiencies of Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 deficiency may accompany alcoholism because alcohol and alcoholic
liver disease can interfere with normal vitamin B6 metabolism.
Extreme pyridoxine deficiency leads to CNS abnormalities.
A deficiency syndrome has been identified in mentally retarded children with
uncontrollable convulsions from birth due to an inborn error of vitamin B6
metabolism.
It is thought that these children are unable to synthesize GABA (neurotransmitter)
23. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Age RDA
1-6 months 0.3 mg
7-12 months 0.6 mg
1-3 years 1.0 mg
4-6 years 1.1 mg
7-10 years 1.4 mg
11-14 years 1.7 mg
15 + years 2.0 mg
11-14 years 1.4 mg
15-18 years 1.5 mg
19 + years 1.6 mg
Pregnant 2.2 mg
Lactating 2.1 mg *From Food and Nutrition Board, National Research Council, NAS.
24. Cyanocobalamin
B12
Cobalamin is essential for normal
function in the metabolism of all
cells, especially those of the G.I.
tract, bone marrow, and nervous
tissue.
Vitamin B12 affects myelin
formation.
It is also effective as extrinsic
factor in the treatment of
pernicious anemia
25. Deficiencies of Vitamin B12
Impaired DNA synthesis results in defective proliferation of rapidly dividing cells
and is manifested by megaloblastic anemia, glossitis. Distortion of intestinal
architecture results in G.I. disorders.
A lack of Vitamin B12 results in subacute degeneration of cerebral white matter,
optic nerves, spinal cord and peripheral nerves in diabetics. Symptoms include
numbness, tingling, and burning of the feet as well as stiffness and generalized
weakness of the legs.
Many believe Vitamin B12 deficiency to be a common disorder in the elderly.
Breast-fed infants of vegetarian mothers may also be at risk.
26. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Age RDA
Infants 1-6 months 0.3 mcg
7-12 months 0.5 mcg
Children 1-3 years 0.7 mcg
4-6 years 1.0 mcg
7-10 years 1.4 mcg
Males 11-51 years 2.0 mcg
51 + years 2.0 mcg
Females 11-50 years 2.0 mcg
51 + years 2.0 mcg
Pregnant 2.2 mcg
Lactating 2.6 mcg
* From Food and Nutrition Board, NRC, NAS, RDA, 10th edition, 1989
27. Niacin B3
Functions in the body as a
component of the co-enzyme NAD
and NADP.
These co-enzymes are essential in
the oxidation-reduction reactions
and boost Immunity
involved in the release of energy
from carbohydrates, fats and
proteins, where they serve as
hydrogen acceptors capable of
accepting and releasing hydrogen
atoms as they are removed by the
dehydrogenase enzyme.
28. Deficiencies of Niacin
Symptoms of niacin deficiency in the early stages include muscular weakness,
anorexia, indigestion, and skin eruptions.
Severe deficiency of niacin leads to pellagra, which is characterized by dermatitis,
dementia, diarrhea, tremors and sore tongue. The skin develops a cracked
pigmented, scaly dermatitis in the areas exposed to sun.
Lesion in the central nervous system leads to confusion, disorientation, and
neuritis.
Digestive abnormalities cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous
membranes of the mouth and the gastro-intestinal tract.
29. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Age RDA
Infants 1-6 months 0.3 mg
7-12 months 0.6 mg
Children 1-3 years 1.0 mg
4-6 years 1.1 mg
Males 11-14 years 1.7 mg
15 + years 2.0 mg
Females 11-14 years 1.4 mg
15-18 years 1.5 mg
19 + years 1.6 mg
Pregnant 2.2 mg
* RDA 10th edition, c. 1989 by NAS.
Lactating 2.1 mg
30. Pantothenic Acid
B5
The primary role of pantothenic
acid is as a constituent of co-
enzyme A and as such it is
essential to many areas of
cellular metabolism.
As a part of acetyl CoA, it is
involved in the release of energy
from carbohydrate and in the
degradation and metabolism of
fatty acids.
31. Deficiencies of Pantothenic Acid
The primary role of pantothenic acid is as a constituent of co-enzyme A and as
such it is essential to many areas of cellular metabolism.
As a part of acetyl CoA, it is involved in the release of energy from carbohydrate
and in the degradation and metabolism of fatty acids.
Fatigue and malaise
32. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table
Age RDA Age RDA
Infants 1-6 months 2 mg All males & Females above 11 years 4-7 mg
7-12
months
3 mg
Children 1-3 years 3 mg
4-6 years 3-4 mg
7-10 years 4-5 mg
* From Food and Nutrition Board, NRC, NAS. RDA, 10th edition,1989.
33. Folic Acid B9
Folic acid is necessary for the
synthesis of nucleic acids, which
form DNA and RNA.
Folate is essential for the formation
of both red and white blood cells in
the bone marrow and for their
maturation.
It serves as a single carbon carrier
in the formation of heme.
Folic acid acts as co-enzyme in the
biotransformation of amino acids.
34. Deficiencies of Folic Acid
Anemia
Weakness/fatigue
Infertility both in males and females
Neural tube irregularity during pregnancy
Irritability, headache, SOB, Depression
Change in color of skin and hair
Autism
Rheumatoid Arthritis
35. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Age RDA
Males 11-14 years 150 mcg
15 + years 200 mcg
Females 11-14 years 150 mcg
15 + years 180 mcg
Pregnant 400 mcg
Lactating (1st 6 months)
Lactating (2nd 6 months)
280 mcg
260 mcg
* From Food and Nutrition Research Council, NAS. RDA, 10th edition,1989.
36. Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid has multiple functions either
as coenzyme or cofactor. Its ability to lose
and take on hydrogen gives it an essential
role in metabolism.
Reduces ferric to ferrous iron in the
intestinal tract to facilitate its absorption.
-Involved in the transfer of iron from
plasma transferrin to liver ferritin.
Involved in the hydroxylation of proline to
form hydroxyproline in the synthesis of
collagen, a protein substance upon which
the integrity of cellular structure in all
fibrous tissues depends.
37. Deficiencies of Vitamin C
During periods of emotional, psychological or physiological stress, the urinary
excretion of ascorbic acid is increased.
Severe deficiency of ascorbic acid causes scurvy, symptoms include follicular
hyperkeratosis, swollen and inflamed gums, loosening of teeth, dryness of the
mouth and eyes, loss of hair, dry itchy skin
Wounds fail to heal, growth retardation in infants and children, anemia, increased
susceptibility to infections, irritability, neurotic disturbances
Manifestations of deficiency also include hemorrhage under the skin and into
joints.
Immunity
38. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table:
Age RDA
Infants 1-6 months 30 mg
7-12 months 35 mg
Children 1-3 years 40 mg
4-10 years 45 mg
Males 11-14 years 50 mg
15 + years 60 mg
Females 11-14 years 50 mg
15 + years 60 mg
Pregnant 70 mg
Lactating(1st 6 months) 95 mg
Lactating(2nd 6 months) 90 mg
* From Food and Nutrition Board, NRC, NAS. RDA 10th edition, 1989
40. Vitamin A carotene
mroducts, egg yolk.
Vitamin A has a number of
important functions in the body.
It plays an essential role in the
function of the retina.
it is essential for the integrity of
epithelial cells, formation of
visual pigments (major
constituent of rhodopsin).
Vitamin A is also needed for
synthesis of
mucopolysaccharides.
41. Deficiencies of Vitamin A
Night blindness, xerophthalmia (Keratinization of corneal tissue), skin lesions,
allergies, dry hair, fatigue, failure of skeletal growth, reproductive disorders.
Vitamin A is readily absorbed from the normal gastrointestinal tract. The
absorption of vitamin A is also disturbed in hepatic disease.
Carotenes (alpha, Beta) synthesized by plants, are provitamins of vitamin A, which
is converted into active form by the human body.
A year’s supply of vitamin A can be stored in the liver.
Good for immunity
42. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table
Age RDA
Infants Upto 1 year 375 mcg
Children 1-3 years 400 mcg
4-6 years 500 mcg
7-10 years 700 mcg
Males Adults 1000 mcg
Females Adults 800 mcg
Pregnant 800 mcg
Lactating (1st 6 months)
Lactating (2nd 6 months)
1300 mcg
1200 mcg
From Food and Nutrition Board, National Research Council, NAS
43. Vitamin D
Normal calcium and phosphate
metabolism are dependent on
proper levels of vitamin D.
Bile production
44. Deficiencies of Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency in infants and children rapidly leads to a serious metabolic
bone disease known as rickets. In the adult, only small amounts of calcium are
necessary to maintain balance and vitamin serves a much less important function.
Vitamin D is usually given by mouth, and gastrointestinal absorption is adequate
under most circumstances.
Bile is essential for adequate intestinal absorption and deoxycholic acid is the
most important constituent of bile in this regard.
The chief therapeutic uses of Vitamin D are in infant feeding for the prophylaxis
of rickets and in the treatment of hypoparathyroidism.
45. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table
Age RDA
Infants 1-6 months 7.5 mcg
6-12 months 10 mcg
Children 1-10 years 10 mcg
Males 11-24 years 10 mcg
25 + years 5 mcg
Females 11-24 years 10 mcg
25 + years 5 mcg
Pregnant 10 mcg
Lactating 10 mcg
• 1 International Unit (IU) = 0.025 mcg of calciferol (vitamin D3)
• 1 mcg cholecalciferol = 40 IU vitamin D
46. Vitamin E
(Tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin E is recognized as
having a fundamental role in the
normal metabolism of all cells.
Therefore, its deficiency can
affect several different organ
systems.
Renowned antioxidant
47. Deficiencies of Vitamin E
In the neuromuscular system vitamin E deficiency is manifested clinically as loss of
deep tendon reflexes, impaired vibratory and position sensation, changes in balance
and coordination, muscles weakness, and visual disturbances.
Vitamin E needs some fat for the digestive system to absorb it.
Vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve and muscle damage that results in loss of feeling
in the arms and legs, loss of body movement control, muscle weakness, and vision
problems.
Another sign of deficiency is a weakened immune system.
49. Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a key role in
helping the blood clot,
preventing excessive bleeding.
Unlike many other vitamins,
vitamin K is not typically used as
a dietary supplement.
50. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Low levels of vitamin K can raise the risk of uncontrolled bleeding.
While vitamin K deficiencies are rare in adults, they are very common in newborn
infants.
A single injection of vitamin K for newborns is standard. Vitamin K is also used to
counteract an overdose of the blood thinner coumadin.
80mcg
51. Minerals
Minerals can be described as inorganic solid chemical compounds usually found
as constituent of the earth’s crust.
The two kinds of minerals are:
Macrominerals
trace minerals.
52. Macrominerals
Needed by body in larger amounts than trace minerals macromineral group includes
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Sulfur
53. Trace Minerals
Needed by body in very smaller amounts, trace minerals include
Iron
Manganese
Copper
Iodine
Zinc
Cobalt
Fluoride
Selenium
54. Iodine
Iodine is an essential component
of thyroxine and tri- iodo -
thyronine molecules that are
secreted by thyroid gland and
are essential for a number of
metabolic processes in the body.
Iodine has long been
established as a dietary essential
and evidence of deficiency can
be rather readily detected.
55. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Deficiency effects:
Iodine deficiency leads to simple goiter and in severe case, cretinism.
Daily Requirement:
The daily requirement of the adult is very small, 3 mcg per Kg or a total of 200
mcg daily.
56. Copper
Copper has a role in the
oxidation of iron prior to
transport in the plasma and in
the cross-linking of collagen
necessary for its tensile strength.
It also has role in mitochondrial
energy production
protection from oxidants
synthesis of melamine and
catecholamines.
57. Deficiencies of Copper
Deficiency leads to microcytic hypochromic anemia.
Neutropenia, leukopenia, and bone demineralization follow, with subperiosteal
hemorrhages, hair and skin depigmentation, defective elastin formation, and bone
demineralization.
58. Recommended Dietary Allowance
Table
AGE ESADDI
INFANTS 1 - 6 months 0.4 - 0.6 mg
6 -12 months 0.6 - 0.7 mg
CHILDREN 1 - 3 years 0.7 - 1.0 mg
4 - 6 years 1.0 - 1.5 mg
7 -10 years 1.0 - 2.0 mg
11 + years 1.5 - 2.5 mg
ADULTS 1.5 - 3.0 mg
* RDAs, 10th edition, c. 1989 by National Academy ofSciences
59. Magnesium
It is an important participant in
many enzyme systems and lack
of it causes a variety of structural
and functional disturbances.
Most of the magnesium is in the
skeleton.
Extensive loss of this element
may occur in diarrhea.
60. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Muscle twitching and cramping
Meatal Disorders
Osteoporosis
Fatigue and Muscle weakness
High blood pressure
Asthma
Irregular hear beat
2 mg
61. Zinc
Zinc is known to participate in
reactions involving either synthesis or
degradation of major metabolites
such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
and nucleic acids.
More than 200 zinc enzymes have
been isolated from various species.
Involved in the stabilization of protein
and nucleic acid structure and the
integrity of cellular organelles
In transport processes, immune
function, and expression of genetic
information.
62. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Additional symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
Delayed sexual development, infertility, poor sperm quality
Reduced height and weight and fatigue and malaise
Enlarged spleen
Hypogeusia (decreased taste acuity)
Delayed wound healing in diabetic patients
Alopecia, hair loss
Diverse forms of skin and nail lesions
Zinc responsive night blindness has also been documented (Solomons, 1988).
Zinc deficiency results in a variety of immunologic defects
64. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Poor bone growth
Skeletal defects
Slow or impaired growth
Low fertility
Impaired glucose intolerance
Abnormal metabolism of carbohydrate and energy
2mg
65. Iron
Good for vital functions
Good for immune system
Good for gastrointestinal
process
Regulate body treatment
Iron is an essential constituent of
the human blood.
66. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Extreme fatigue
Weakness
Pale skin
Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath.
Headache, dizziness
Cold hands and feet
Inflammation or soreness of your tongue
Brittle nails
18 mg
67. Calcium
Calcium is essential for the
integrity of the nervous and
muscular systems where it has a
major influence on the integrity
and excitability of these tissues.
Calcium is necessary for normal
cardiac function & is one of the
factors that operate in the
mechanisms involved in the
coagulation of blood.
68. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Deficiency:
Calcium deficiency diseases are rickets, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis. The
normal serum calcium levels, between 9 and 11mg per 100 ml must be maintained
for many functions. Tetany may arise if the calcium concentration in the serum
rapidly decreases to very low level.
RDA:
The National Research Council recommended dietary allowance of calcium for
normal children and adult between 0.7G to 1.4G per day.
70. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Chromium deficiency is a wide spread problem.
Many people such as athletes, diabetics, pregnant women, and the elderly are
especially at risk of chromium deficiency leading to impaired insulin function,
inhibition of protein synthesis and energy production, and to type 2 diabetes and
heart disease.
120 mcg
72. Deficiencies and Recommendations
Biotin is a B vitamin found in food.
It helps the body convert food into energy and plays many other important roles
in health in diabetics especially
Biotin boosts the health of the hair and nails, supports a healthy pregnancy, and
helps manage blood sugar levels, among other benefits.
300 mcg
73. Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q is well defined as a crucial
component of the oxidative phosphorylation
process in mitochondria which converts the
energy in carbohydrates and fatty acids into
ATP to drive cellular machinery and synthesis.
New roles for coenzyme Q in other cellular
functions are only becoming recognized.
Coenzyme Q10 is an important
vitamin-like substance required
for the proper function of many
organs and chemical reactions in
the body.
It helps provide energy to cells
Coenzyme Q10 also seems to
have antioxidant activity.
74. Deficiencies and Recommendations
A lack of functional protein produced from any one of the COQ genes decreases
the normal production of coenzyme Q10.
Studies suggest that a shortage (deficiency) of coenzyme Q10 impairs oxidative
phosphorylation and increases the vulnerability of cells to damage from free
radicals.
Infertility in males
De arranged lipid profile leading to cardiac complications.
90–200 mg
75. Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a co-factor for a
number of flavoprotein enzymes
and is found in xanthine oxidase,
which converts xanthine to uric
acid.
Excess will result in symptoms of
copper deficiency.
75 mcg
76. Phosphorus
Phosphorus has important and
multifaced functions in the
biochemistry of the body.
It is of great significance in a
host of reactions throughout
virtually all organs and tissues.
The bulk of body phosphorus is
located in the bones, where it
plays a key role in osteoblastic
and osteoclastic activities.
1,000 mg
77. Cobalt
Cobalt administration in man
may improve hematocrit,
hemoglobin and erythrocyte
values in some patient with
refractory anemia of various
types.
Cobalt is an essential part of
vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 is
essential for maturation of red
blood cells.
5 - 8 mcg
78. Oligofructose
Oligofructose-enriched inulin is made by
combining two substances that occur
naturally in many plants, including chicory
root, wheat, bananas, onion, and garlic
Oligofructose-enriched inulin helps healthy
bacteria grow in the intestines and helps the
body absorb calcium and magnesium.
Oligofructose has a sweet,
pleasant flavor and is highly
soluble.
It can be used to fortify foods
with fiber without contributing
any deleterious organoleptic
effects, to improve the flavor and
sweetness of low calorie foods
and to improve the texture of
fat-reduced foods.
79. Benfotiamine It inhibits the three main pathways leading to
hyperglycemic damage
These pathways increase superoxide production
Hexosamine pathway
Diacylgleycerol protein kinase C pathway
Advance glycation pathway
Benfotiamine is a lab made
version of Vitamin B1.
Helpful in Diabetes related nerve
damage , Alzheimer’s disease
and alcohol dependence.
600mg
80. Dill Oil
Dill seed is sometimes applied to the mouth
and throat for pain and swelling
(inflammation).
Rich in antioxidants and a good source of
vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin A.
Dill may have several benefits for health,
including protection against heart disease and
cancer. However, it's important to keep in
mind that most studies looking at the benefits
of dill use dill extracts.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is the
perfect plant to have on hand at
this time of the year because it is
so good at soothing indigestion.
Both the seeds and leaves can be
made into a tea that will ease a
stomach-ache caused by wind,
and dill water will relieve colic.
81. Fennel Oil
Fennel's dried ripe seeds and oil are used to
make medicine. Fennel is used by mouth for
excessive crying in infants (colic), indigestion
(dyspepsia), menstrual cramps
(dysmenorrhea), and symptoms of
menopause, but there is no good scientific
evidence to support these uses.
Fennel is a digestive tract savior.
The seeds have a compound that
relaxes GI spasms, which allows gas
to pass and relieve bloating
In foods and beverages, fennel oil
and fennel seed are used as
flavoring agents.
used as a flavoring agent in certain
laxatives, and as a fragrance
component in soaps and cosmetics.