Nutraceutical FAQ - Part 2: What is Phytotherapy?
A few reminders from the first part
- Nutraceuticals are intended to have a positive influence on maintaining good health and preventing diseases by anticipating problems in order to try to act directly at the source.
- Nutraceuticals are products combining plants, foods, trace elements, minerals and molecules of natural origin in a form intended to be taken as a supplement to our basic diet.
What are the regulations on nutraceuticals and food supplements?
Europe defines the regulatory framework for food supplements . These directives are then transposed into French law.
The regulations applicable to food supplements include texts relating to agricultural raw materials, texts relating to foodstuffs and texts specific to food supplements ( European Directive 2002/42/EC and its transposition into French law by Decree No. 2006-352 ).
These texts govern not only the product itself but also its packaging and the nutritional and health claims associated with it.
In the case of an organic product, the specific texts associated with organic products apply.
The submission of products prior to marketing in France is done with the The DGCCRF ( French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) is responsible for verifying product compliance with current legislation. It can also conduct checks on products on the market at any time to verify their compliance. Organizations in the food supplement sector, such as the Synadiet trade association, are also involved. participate in the regulation of the sector.
How are nutraceutical food supplements formulated?
There are several essential steps in the development of a nutraceutical product:
- Formulation : This is when we define the objectives of the formula and identify the best active ingredients and combinations to achieve them. To ensure the most scientific and rigorous approach possible, we rely on scientific literature through peer-reviewed journals (such as the PubMed database) and also consult with physicians, nutritionists, agronomists, and pharmacists.
- Development : After establishing the list of ingredients for the formula, the dosage of these is determined in partnership with pharmacists, as well as the appropriate dosage form (capsule, powder, etc.).
- Sourcing : The most important step for us. We look for suppliers of quality ingredients and a reliable manufacturer for the production of batches of the product.
- Validation and testing : We carry out a manufacturing test with a partner laboratory to ensure the quality of the final product, and in parallel we submit the formula to the DGCCRF for labeling validation.
- Manufacturing : We order the final raw materials and the manufacturer mixes and packages the final products.
Following this work, our products are ready to be distributed by us or our partners.
What is phytotherapy?
Herbal medicine is the use of plants to achieve health benefits. Traditional and ancient practices are largely based on experience. Modern herbal medicine, on the other hand, relies on evidence of its effectiveness through scientific and clinical studies . Herbal preparations differ from medications: medications are extractions or syntheses of pure, concentrated compounds designed to treat major health conditions.
Contrary to some misconceptions, what is natural is not necessarily safe: plants contain active ingredients that can have powerful effects, and using them in inappropriate doses can be harmful. Furthermore, some plants have a low benefit-risk ratio with a high risk of side effects. To avoid toxic effects and ensure the proper use of plants, the pharmacopoeia is regulated and can be defined as follows :
"An official, legal and mandatory compendium in all pharmacies of a given country, containing a description of commonly used medicines and in particular: the formula of constitution, the analytical composition, the physical constants, the main chemical properties that can be used for their identification and, in the case of compound medicines, the formula and method of preparation (from Med. Biol. t.3 1972)."
The French Pharmacopoeia is in its 11th edition and is managed by the ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products). Lists of traditionally used plants can be consulted directly online . There are two lists: List A and List B. Plants listed in List B have a high risk of adverse effects and, as such, can only be dispensed by a pharmacist.
In herbal medicine, different parts of plants (roots, stems, leaves, fruits, etc.) are used in various forms, such as herbal teas, powders packaged in capsules or tablets. Extracts obtained through alcoholic extraction are also available: dry extracts, tinctures, pastes, etc.
In short, herbal medicine can be very beneficial to health, but it follows specific guidelines and should not be used haphazardly. It is advisable to seek advice and use carefully selected and formulated products like those we offer at Phytocéa .
You can find our entire range of nutraceutical food supplements, combining phytotherapy and micronutrition, HERE .
Sources
- Definition of food supplement on the French national health insurance website (Ameli)
- Definition of medicine on the French national health insurance website (Ameli)
- Kalra EK. Nutraceutical--definition and introduction. AAPS PharmSci. 2003;5(3):E25. doi:10.1208/ps050325.
- General information on food supplements can be found on the DGCCRF website.
- Official website of the national union of food supplements (Synadiet)
- ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products)
- List A of traditionally used medicinal plants
- List B of medicinal plants traditionally used in their natural state or in preparations whose potential adverse effects outweigh the expected therapeutic benefit
- Definition of Pharmacopoeia
- Definition of Phytotherapy