Washington, D.C.—A scientific report from the Council for Responsible Nutrition-International (CRN-I) is spotlighting the role of nutrition and dietary supplements in extending healthspan and supporting healthy aging. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the report summarizes findings from the CRN-International symposium, “Food Is Medicine: The Role of Nutrition in Extending Healthspan.” At the event, held in Dresden, Germany, researchers and nutrition experts examined how dietary strategies and bioactive nutrients can promote resilience and reduce chronic disease risk.
The publication comes amid increased evidence that supports recognizing nutrition as a foundational component of healthcare, along with growing attention from policymakers and healthcare leaders on the integration of nutrition into care models. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has indicated support for expanding nutrition education in medical school. This aligns with longstanding efforts from CRN to better equip healthcare professionals to counsel patients on nutrition and dietary supplement use.
“Nutrition plays a fundamental role in helping people stay healthier for longer, and the science continues to show how diet, lifestyle, and targeted nutrition interventions can support resilience and healthy aging,” said Luke Huber, ND, MPH, Vice President of Scientific and Global Affairs at CRN and lead author of the report. He added that stronger nutrition training for clinicians will help patients make more informed decisions about diet, lifestyle, and responsible supplement use.
The symposium findings point to emerging evidence supporting the role of micronutrients and other bioactive compounds in dietary supplements to support overall health alongside a healthy diet, and hhlighted several areas where nutrition may influence long-term health outcomes, including:
Resilience and healthy aging
Protein intake for muscle and metabolic health
The role of phytochemicals in reducing the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The impact of vitamin D on immune health and inflammation.
As “Food Is Medicine” initiatives continue to expand, the report notes that dietary supplements may serve a complementary role to whole-food-based approaches. With approximately 75% of U.S. adults reporting supplement use, the report authors emphasize the importance of evidence-based strategies and continued research. The report concludes that combining healthy dietary patterns, appropriate supplementation, and supportive public health policies will be key to improving healthspan and addressing the global burden of chronic disease.
