Medical Foods: What Are Medical Foods and When Are They Used?

Medical foods are specially formulated nutritional products designed to manage diseases or conditions with distinctive nutritional requirements. They are used under physician supervision and differ from dietary supplements or conventional foods.

Common applications include metabolic disorders (like phenylketonuria), malabsorption syndromes, diabetes-related complications, inflammatory bowel diseases, kidney disorders, and neurological conditions. Medical foods may contain tailored nutrients, amino acid blends, or easily digestible formulas to support therapeutic outcomes.

They undergo strict manufacturing and labeling requirements, ensuring safety and efficacy. Medical foods help improve nutritional status, reduce symptom severity, support recovery, and enhance overall quality of life.

Used alongside standard medical treatments, they play a vital role in comprehensive patient management—especially for individuals with chronic or complex conditions.