Most diseases are preventable, and they are related to what we eat. Moreover, most doctor visits are for lifestyle-based diseases, which means they can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Treating the causes of illness rather than symptoms of the disease is not only safer and cheaper, but it can work better. Infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 cause a grave health threat. In this context, it is important to review the role of nutraceuticals in health promotion and disease prevention.

Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources with health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional values. Many of them can positively affect and enhance the immune system. Not surprisingly, nutraceutical sales rose dramatically during the pandemic period. However, much research is still needed to understand how natural products interact with the immune system to clarify their chemical compositions, mechanisms of action and effects on health and illnesses.

Just recently, I and Soo Liang Ooi who is a current PhD candidate published an ebook titled ‘Nutraceuticals in Immune System’ as editors. Following rigorous peer-review process, nine original research papers and ten reviews were included. These articles research into natural substances of interest in nutraceuticals ranging from herbal medicine to vitamins to microbiota-derived metabolites. The investigated immune-related responses include cancer, neurological diseases, gastroenterological disorders, inflammatory conditions, and infections. We would like to share those findings with you. Let us begin with a discussion on cancer and nutraceuticals.