![email_banners_1280x400](https://discover.ifm.org/hubfs/email_banners_1280x400.jpg)
Nutrition Enhances Health Outcomes
Nutritional imbalances may contribute to disease pathology and progression, as research links micronutrient deficiencies to several chronic conditions. Improving a patient's dietary patterns and practices has the power to boost immunity, strengthen resilience, and enhance overall wellness—which is why nutrition-based interventions are fundamental components of many therapeutic strategies used to combat chronic illness and restore optimal health. Applying nutrition as a frontline treatment may help patients see dramatic improvement in their symptoms and experience a renewed vitality.
M
Indicators of childhood malnutrition indicate that, worldwide, an estimated 149 million children under the age of five years are stunted, 45 million are wasting, and 39 million are overweight.1
%
Current reporting estimates that, worldwide, 30% of non-pregnant women aged 15-49 years are anemic while 36% of pregnant women aged 15-49 years are anemic.2
M
Experiencing food insecurity increases risk of malnourishment and nutrient deficiencies. In 2020, 38 million people, including 6 million children, lived in food-insecure households in the US.3
%
Several nutrient shortfalls have been noted within the US population. Data suggests that an estimated 31% of the US population is at risk of developing one or more micronutrient deficiencies.4,5
+ References
- World Health Organization. Levels and trends in child malnutrition: UNICEF/WHO/The World Bank Group joint child malnutrition estimates: key findings of the 2021 edition. Published May 5, 2021. Accessed July 29, 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240025257
- Stevens GA, Paciorek CJ, Flores-Urrutia MC, et al. National, regional, and global estimates of anaemia by severity in women and children for 2000-19: a pooled analysis of population-representative data. Lancet Glob Health. 2022;10(5):e627-e639. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00084-5
- Economic Research Service. Food Insecurity in the U.S.: key statistics & graphics. US Department of Agriculture. Updated September 7, 2022. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/#
- Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI. Risk of deficiency in multiple concurrent micronutrients in children and adults in the United States. Nutrients. 2017;9(7):655. doi:10.3390/nu9070655
- Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of immune health nutrients: intakes in US adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. doi:10.3390/nu12061735
Watch functional medicine experts discuss nutrition
![Headshot_Michael_Stone-e1609966312151](https://discover.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot_Michael_Stone-e1609966312151.jpg?width=639&height=695&name=Headshot_Michael_Stone-e1609966312151.jpg)
P. Michael Stone, MD, MS
Why Functional Nutrition Addresses Clinical Imbalances
![Headshot_Robert_Rountree-e1597948079448](https://discover.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot_Robert_Rountree-e1597948079448.jpg?width=532&height=577&name=Headshot_Robert_Rountree-e1597948079448.jpg)
Robert Rountree, MD
Emerging Topics in Mitochondrial Research: NAD
![portera-perry-lisa_001](https://discover.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/portera-perry-lisa_001.jpg?width=260&height=260&name=portera-perry-lisa_001.jpg)
Lisa M. (Perry) Portera, DC
Considerations for Neuropathic Pain
![Headshot_Liz_Lipski](https://discover.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot_Liz_Lipski.jpg?width=661&height=800&name=Headshot_Liz_Lipski.jpg)
Liz Lipski, PhD, CNS, FACN, BCHN, LDN
Using the Elimination Diet in Clinical Care
Discover the key to optimized health with Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine>
This course explores the evidence-base and clinical applications of modifiable lifestyle factors.
Take a closer look at how the factors below affect the body: