A growing scientific consensus indicates that nutrition should be recognized as a foundational component of healthcare. Advancing that sentiment, the Council for Responsible Nutrition-International (CRN-I), the global science and policy arm of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, announced the publication of a new scientific report that highlighted the critical role nutrition can play in extending healthspan and promoting healthy aging.

Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the report summarized findings from the CRN-International symposium “Food Is Medicine: The Role of Nutrition in Extending Healthspan,” held in Dresden, Germany. The symposium convened leading researchers and nutrition experts to explore how dietary strategies and bioactive nutrients can support resilience, reduce chronic disease risk, and help individuals remain healthier for longer.

The report comes as policymakers and healthcare leaders increasingly emphasize the role of nutrition in healthcare. Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) signaled support for expanding nutrition education in medical school curricula.

“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, scientific & global affairs, CRN and lead author of the report. “We’re encouraged to see policymakers — including HHS — highlight the importance of nutrition education for healthcare professionals. Ensuring that doctors and other clinicians receive stronger training in nutrition will help patients make better-informed decisions about diet, lifestyle, and responsible use of dietary supplements.”

The symposium report highlighted several areas where nutrition interventions may influence long-term health outcomes:

• Resilience and healthy aging: Dietary patterns and targeted nutrition interventions can enhance the body’s ability to respond to physiological stress and maintain function as we age.

• Protein and muscle health: Adequate protein intake — particularly among older adults — supports muscle mass, metabolic health, and functional independence.

• Phytochemicals and metabolic health: Bioactive compounds found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee may help reduce the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Vitamin D and immune health: Findings from major clinical trials suggest vitamin D supplementation may influence inflammation and other health outcomes in aging populations.

The report also highlighted evidence that micronutrients and other bioactive compounds — often obtained through dietary supplements — can support resilience and overall health when used alongside a healthy diet.

Food Is Medicine … Including Supplements

While Food Is Medicine initiatives often focus on improving access to whole foods, symposium experts emphasized that dietary supplements may also play a complementary role in supporting nutrition and health.

In many countries, supplements are legally categorized as foods, and in the U.S. roughly 75% of adults report using dietary supplements, most commonly to support overall health and wellness.

As Food Is Medicine initiatives expand, the report emphasized the importance of evidence-based approaches and continued research.

The report concluded that combining healthy diets, evidence-based supplementation, and supportive public health policies will be essential to improving healthspan and addressing the growing global burden of chronic disease.