Żywność funkcjonalna i nutraceutyki w profilaktyce chorób cywilizacyjnych

Prevention is a key element of existence societies and quality of life. In this the most im portant role played health oriented foods, especially functional foods and nutraceuticals. Functional food is a food with a conventional form, which has been proven beneficial effect on the improvement of the health and improve the well-being and / or reduction of risk of diseases. Nutraceuticals are biologically active ingredients, which have a document- ed health benefits through their participation in metabolic processes. The essential value of nutraceuticals is their natural origin. Thus, nutraceuticals are bio substances or their preparations deriving from raw materials of animal, plant and biotech nological products, which have been prepared (isolated) using innovative technologies. Among the most commonly used and most recognized raw materials for the production of nutraceutical may be mentioned including: eggs, colostrum, apiculture products, extracts of plants, including herbs, fruits, etc. Nutraceuticals market is developing very dynamically. Among many Polish products may be mentioned: Colostrynin (bio-peptides extract of colostrum) used in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, Ovophospholipids from yolk rich in n-3 fatty acids and vitamins used in the development of natural immunity and preventing many diseases, aronia prepa- rations (used in the prevention of heart disease) and also a range of herbal preparations.