Beyond Supplements: Defining the Unique Regulatory Category and Clinical Application of Medical Foods in Managing Specific Disease States
Medical Foods are a distinct category of nutritional products intended for the dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements exist, and they must be used under the supervision of a physician. Unlike dietary supplements, which are meant to augment the diet, medical foods are formulated for patients with specific, medically recognized nutrient needs that cannot be met by modification of the normal diet alone.
These products are often utilized in managing inborn errors of metabolism, specific gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic neurological conditions, requiring targeted formulas to correct or compensate for a patient's inability to process or absorb certain nutrients. A productive discussion would clarify the strict regulatory distinction between medical foods, dietary supplements, and prescription drugs, emphasizing the clinical evidence required for their use.