Nutrition and Food Chemistry

Clinical and Therapeutic Nutrition

Clinical and therapeutic nutrition involves the strategic use of diet and nutrient planning to support individuals suffering from a range of acute and chronic diseases. It encompasses not only the identification of nutrient deficiencies and imbalances but also the development of individualized dietary interventions aimed at improving medical outcomes and quality of life. This field plays a key role in the prevention and management of conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disease, and autoimmune conditions. The scientific basis of therapeutic diets—such as high-protein regimens for malnourished patients, low-residue diets for inflammatory bowel diseases, ketogenic approaches for epilepsy management, or gluten-free protocols for celiac disease reflects a growing reliance on evidence-based dietary strategies. Interventions may include enteral and parenteral nutrition for patients who cannot consume food orally, along with specialized formulations that address disease-specific metabolic demands. Healthcare professionals increasingly collaborate with registered dietitians to integrate nutrition as part of standard care pathways, ensuring nutritional adequacy during surgical recovery, chemotherapy, dialysis, or intensive care hospitalization. Furthermore, this area is evolving with the integration of emerging disciplines such as nutrigenomics and metabolomics, which enable a personalized approach by linking dietary needs to genetic and metabolic profiles. Patients in different life stages—infants, pregnant women, older adults, and those with special dietary needs—require tailored nutritional care that meets their physiological changes and health risks. In addition, nutrition’s role in mental health, immune function, and inflammation control is gaining attention in clinical practice. Diet plans that reduce oxidative stress and support gut-brain communication are proving effective for mental health management. Research studies continue to demonstrate how proper nutritional intervention can reduce the duration of hospital stays, enhance medication efficacy, and decrease the recurrence of disease complications. With an increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare and holistic treatment approaches, clinical nutrition stands as a cornerstone of modern medical protocols and patient-centered care.