Condition-specific supplements and functional foods use a variety of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other ingredients, such as probiotics, to support a particular system or function of the body. Condition-specific supplements may contain a dozen or more substances formulated to work together for optimal efficacy.
Common categories of condition-specific formulations include joint health, heart health, prostate health, digestive health and mood health. In some cases, manufacturers and formulators are able to provide clinical efficacy data on their specific proprietary blends for a given condition.
In the functional foods arena, drinks and even bars are often formulated with a specific goal, such as mood enhancement, weight management or increased energy. Many common food ingredients are also linked to specific conditions as well—for example, soy for bone health and whole grains for cardiovascular health and anti-cancer properties.
