High Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Increasing Number of Medical Food Clinics to Augment Growth of U.S. Medical Foods Market

Medical foods are special foods, which are specifically formulated and intended to the special dietary needs of an individual who has unique, particular nutritional requirements, which cannot be met by a normal balanced diet alone. These specialized foods have been specifically designed for people with specific medical conditions. These specific needs range from specific food allergies, to a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, to a weight management issue.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines medical food as “a food, which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” The U.S. medical foods market is expected to witness significant growth in the foreseeable future, owing to high prevalence of chronic diseases in the region. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2019, there will be an estimated 1,762,450 new cancer cases diagnosed and 606,880 cancer deaths in the U.S.

There are various benefits of medical foods. The first benefit is that it can help you meet the special nutritional needs of your body. For example, if you are allergic to certain foods, you may need to avoid peanuts, shellfish, chocolate, eggs, soy products, wheat, and meat among other common allergens. By eating foods that contain minimal amounts of these common allergens you will be able to keep yourself healthy and free from symptoms related to your allergies. This is especially important in regard to those who are more sensitive to food than others.

The second benefit is that these specialized foods provide the body with even more nutrition. A body which is well nourished will have a healthy metabolism, strong bones and teeth, and normalizes internal pH levels. This means that the individual will be able to recover from illnesses much quicker and will not suffer as many side effects as someone who is not properly nourished. Such foods are especially good for those who are recovering from surgery or serious illness like cancer.

The U.S. medical foods market is expected to witness significant growth in the foreseeable future, owing to increasing number of medical food clinics. For instance, in September 2020, Tyson Foods announced to set up clinics near seven of its plants, including in Storm Lake, Iowa, and Holcomb, Kansas, in a pilot program.