Nutraceuticals Supporting Body Weight Loss

It is known that obesity has reached epidemic proportions and its management is of high clinical importance. In this chapter we will discuss recent data about the role of nutraceuticals and functional foods in obesity and body weight management, including the mechanisms responsible for their favorable effects. In addition, the impact of healthy dietary patterns on weight loss will be addressed. Apart from influencing the imbalance between energy intake and output, nutraceuticals may prevent and/or decrease the development of oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity, as well as favorably influence other cardiovascular disease risk factors, thereby limiting obesity-related complications. A place for nutraceuticals in daily clinical practice is emerging, but the current evidence supporting their use is still limited. Further research will lead to the development of novel nutraceuticals/functional foods/dietary patterns to successfully prevent and/or combat obesity.