Food as Medicine

The field of integrative medicine has increasingly acknowledged the profound impact of diet on health outcomes, heralding a new era where food is recognized as a potent therapeutic tool. As the relationship between nutrition and wellness becomes more pronounced, there is emerging evidence supporting dietary interventions as viable treatments for various health conditions. Despite this growing body of knowledge, a gap persists in effectively incorporating food as a cornerstone of medical treatment, addressing factors such as chronic heart disease, type II diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer. Ongoing studies are significant, yet there is a need for robust, controlled experimental trials to pinpoint best practices for implementing Food as Medicine on a broader scale.This Research Topic aims to unravel the intricacies of Food as Medicine by examining key elements that enhance its effectiveness. Vital components include revolutionizing food delivery systems for individuals unable to prepare meals, and the evolution of culinary medicine within hospitals. There is an increasing interest in how such innovations can transform health outcomes, prompting inquiries into optimal culinary practices and the efficacy of hospital-based culinary medicine in disease treatment.To gather further insights within this paradigm, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• The impact of integrated food delivery systems on patient outcomes Innovations in hospital-based culinary medicine and their effect on health Policy implications for integrating Food as Medicine into healthcare education• Mechanistic and translational studies on bioactive dietary compounds (e.g., isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane/PEITC/BITC) in cancer and cardiometabolic disease, including oxidative stress and cytoprotective signaling pathways (e.g., Nrf2) and dose–response/hormesis considerations• Controlled experimental and clinical studies evaluating dietary components as adjuncts to standard therapies (including synergy/combination approaches), using robust endpoints and biomarkers relevant to disease prevention or treatment response• Surveys and needs assessments examining gaps in nutrition and clinical dietetics education among medical trainees, with implications for Food as Medicine integration into physician practice Topic editors: Dennis Savaiano, Yongping Bao Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/72532/food-as-medicine