Nutraceuticals for Cancer Management

Nutraceuticals are vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and food parts which are considered as complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the field of food, food supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Nutraceuticals have the ability to cure a number of ailments adding to its nutrient supply. Due to their anti-neoplastic properties, nutraceuticals are considered an alternate option for various cancers. Nutraceuticals may be able to target key characteristics of cancer cells such as cell cycle, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. By inducing cell growth arrest, cell differentiation, and a change in the redox state of cells, several nutraceuticals may enhance the effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy. CAM identifies the important signalling pathways to regulate the cancer stem cells which results in drug intervention of novel targets. This chapter highlights the biological effects from the phytochemicals of nutraceuticals at the cellular level that serve to provide the foundation for anti-tumour efficacy. In addition, it provides insight on nutraceuticals as chemo-preventive agents and various dietary components that play a role in cancer management.