**2. Why nutraceuticals?**

For many of us, a regular diet does not provide us with enough nutrition. Second, the pollution and pesticides in our surroundings are so poisonous that they prevent our bodies from controlling them. Our culture is being plagued by a variety of new illnesses. High-quality nutritional supplements may be absorbed and utilised by the body, unlike medications, which typically have side effects because they are not natural for the body. They can actually strengthen our bodies and bring energy [6, 7].

#### **2.1 Definition**

Nutrient: As coined by Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) (1996), "a feed constituent in a form and at a level that will help support the life of an animal." Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins are the main categories of feed nutrients.

Feed: As coined by Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) (1996), "edible materials which are consumed by animals and contribute energy and/or nutrients to the animal's diet."

Food: As coined by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (1968), "an article that provides taste, aroma or nutritive value. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers food as 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS)."

Drug: As coined by Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) (1996), "a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in man or other animals. A substance other than food intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals."

Dietary Supplement: As coined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA, 1994), "a product that contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: vitamin, mineral, herb, or other botanical, and amino acid (protein). Includes any possible component of the diet as well as concentrates, constituents, extracts or metabolites of these compounds."

Nutraceutical: As commonly coined by the dietary supplement industry, "any nontoxic food component that has scientifically proven health benefits, including disease treatment and prevention."

## *Tasty Spices as Nutraceuticals DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108904*

Veterinary Nutraceutical: As coined by the newly created North American Veterinarian Nutraceutical Council, Inc. (NAVNC), "a substance which is produced in a purified or extracted form and administered orally to patients to provide agents required for normal body structure and function and administered with the intent of improving the health and well-being of animals" [8].
