Chronic diseases represent a growing global health burden, with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders accounting for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nutraceuticals—bioactive compounds derived from food sources that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition—have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for chronic disease prevention and management. However, their clinical efficacy has been historically limited by poor bioavailability, rapid degradation, and inadequate tissue targeting. Recent advances in delivery systems have revolutionized nutraceutical applications, addressing these fundamental limitations through innovative approaches. Nanotechnology-based delivery platforms, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions, have demonstrated enhanced bioavailability and targeted delivery of compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, and omega-3 fatty acids. Microencapsulation techniques protect sensitive bioactives from environmental degradation while enabling controlled release profiles. Novel formulation strategies, including solid lipid nanoparticles and polymeric microspheres, have improved stability and cellular uptake of nutraceuticals. Clinical evidence increasingly supports the efficacy of advanced nutraceutical delivery systems in preventing chronic diseases. Studies demonstrate improved antioxidant activity, enhanced anti-inflammatory responses, and better metabolic outcomes when bioactive compounds are delivered through optimized systems. Personalized nutrition approaches, incorporating genetic and metabolic profiling, are emerging to maximize individual therapeutic benefits. Future directions include the development of smart delivery systems responsive to physiological conditions, integration of artificial intelligence for personalized formulations, and comprehensive safety evaluations of novel delivery platforms. These advances position nutraceuticals as viable alternatives or adjuncts to conventional pharmaceuticals in chronic disease prevention strategies.
