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Role Of Technology In Shaping A Healthy Life

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Abhimanyu Rishi, Director, BhookhaHaathi Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.The healthcare industry has witnessed a transition in the past 50 years from a physician taking charge of a patient’s well-being to a phenomenon called ‘participatory medicine’ where a physician plays the role of a senior and experts collaborate with an individual in their plan for health. This transaction has been backed by increased consumer consciousness as well as advancements in technology.

The reach of technology, in the form of artificial intelligence, has been extended to all spheres of life including education, banking, development, business, healthcare, etc. It has revolutionized the horizons of every industry.

Healthcare sector has adopted newer technologies for analyzing the patients and improve treatments. A large number of Android apps have emerged in the recent times to curb the doctor-patient gap and provide effective methods to tackle diseases.

Moreover, artificial intelligence in medical industry is driven with an aim to increase processing capacities, compensate for lack of skilled professionals and increase the usage of personalized medicine. Its market generated $710 million in 2017 and is expected to flourish as much as $18 billion in the near future.

Challenges
The industry faced thwarting challenges ranging from product efficacy, timely and cost-effective remedies, branding, packaging, distribution and most importantly spreading awareness. The potential of artificial intelligence in improving healthcare is indisputable. However, there are a number of obstacles and limitations that need to be confronted before AI redesigns this industry.

There is a need for proper handling of valuable data by skilled professionals for smooth and effective functioning, facilitated by technology. The interoperability i.e. the ability to comprehend data and use it for various purposes is regulated manually, thus subjected to human error. In a data driven system, the issue of supervision and privacy rises. Through extensive usage of AI, security systems and tools, these issues can be tackled.

While organisations are spending loads of time, effort and money to develop and promote catalysing AI technologies, it can be further deduced that human touch at Beta development stages will play a significant part in maintaining the performance of technology in the long run.
Alternative Foods Replace Mainstream Medicine
Nutraceutical, by definition is a combination of two words - “nutrient” describing a nourishing food component and “Pharmaceutical” describing a medicinal drug. It is the blend of multiple important components composed in medicinal formats which are required to lead a healthy life. It refers to a broad umbrella term used to define any product derived from nutritional food sources with additional health benefits to meet the requirements of general well-being, symptom control and prevent malignant processes.

The famous Jewish philosopher, scholar and physician- Moses Maimonides had once quoted that “No illness which can be treated by the diet should be treated by any other means” .

Health Benefits
The foundations of any nutraceutical product lie in its organic premise. It ensures that the product is free of adulterations, preservatives, artificial colors & flavors and can be 100% gluten free which further guarantees a holistic developmental growth. The nutraceutical industry aims on educating their audience and empowering them to make well-informed and rational health care choices. It offers a healthy lifestyle to its customers by providing 100% natural alternatives which channelize inner healing by detoxing free radicals. There is a positive paradigm shift in consumer behaviour as consciousness of organic and 100% natural food items over adulterated food produce is increasing.

Nutraceuticals have found a way to replace strong chemical oriented food products with natural compositions based on a variety of ingredients like dried fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, honey, etc extracted from their original food matrix. These biologically active phytonutrients possess enormous health benefits and help in preventing various diseases and deficiencies without having any side effects. They are enriched with energy, proteins, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, etc.

AI in Nutraceuticals

While performing multiple tasks, a well defined AI system majorly helps in grouping patients with similar profiles in order to pre-empt the nature of disease(s) that can arise due to their current health conditions and other external factors to recommend personalised preventive alternative food products.

Furthermore, nutraceutical-tech companies have laid foundations for promoting quality food substitutes by manufacturing alternative foods in form of nutraceuticals and made it possible to break the conventional methods of food production. How? The answer lies in the production process- the filtration mechanism is regulated by an algorithm which helps identifying the key salt(s) associated with the treatment of any particular ailment and further amalgamating/fusing the same salt(s) with healthy food products - thus providing more personalised, 100% natural and cost effective remedies for patients in need.

Towards A Healthier Society
Market research has crunched numbers which predict an exponential growth in the efficiency and functioning of the healthcare sector after incorporating AI. Over the years, nutraceuticals have proven to be revolutionary in prevention of life threatening diseases also such as renal, diabetes, obesity and even cancer.

Nutraceuticals being both preventive and diagnostic by its inherent nature; the value of technological adoption in this industry is quite evident. We’ve just discovered the surface of tech driven possibilities in nutraceutical health care and its extent is never-ending. With growing consciousness and change in food dynamics, the idea of a healthier food alternative can replace the face of nutraceutical and healthcare industry.