Strangers in veterinary medicine

摘要

Although much information is available regarding human dietary components (such as vitamins and minerals) and supplements, little information exists on veterinary dietary supplements, particularly in food-producing animals. These nutraceuticals cannot be defined as feed ingredients nor as medicines. How should they be looked at? There are many ways of defining a nutraceutical, depending in what area they are used. In veterinary medicine, it is a product that lies somewhere between a nutrient and apharmaceutical or drug. The term is used to refer to any product that is orally administered but is not a drug. Included in this category of potential health products today - depending on whose perspective is being considered - are isolated nutrients, dietary supplements. functional foods, genetically-engineered designer foods. hypernutritious foods, pharmafoods, and phytochemicals (including herbs) and processed (human) foods. In the USA food, drug and food additives are legally defined by the Food and Drug Act which is administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A food is an article used for food or drink for man or animals, and includes any article that provides taste, aroma or nutritive value. Foods must meet the "GRAS" criteria, thatis. they must be accompanied by evidence that they are generally recognised as safe. Few, if any, nutraceuticals would meet the GRAS criteria.