What are Medical Foods?
The FDA’s official definition of a medical food is “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.”
“Medical foods are distinguished from the broader category of foods for special dietary use by the requirement that medical foods be intended to meet distinctive nutritional requirements of a disease or condition, used under medical supervision, and intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition. Medical foods are not those simply recommended by a physician as part of an overall diet to manage the symptoms or reduce the risk of a disease or condition. Not all foods fed to patients with a disease, including diseases that require dietary management, are medical foods. Instead, medical foods are foods that are specially formulated and processed (as opposed to a naturally occurring foodstuff used in a natural state) for a patient who requires use of the product as a major component of a disease or condition’s specific dietary management.”
– FDA, Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Foods; Third Edition, March 2023.
In simpler language, Medical Foods offer several significant benefits, particularly for individuals with specific health conditions or nutritional needs:
Targeted Nutritional Support: Medical foods are formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of individuals with certain medical conditions. Unlike standard over-the-counter supplements, our products are tailored for specific therapeutic purposes and contain high-quality, active, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
Clinically Proven Benefits: Our products are supported by clinical research that demonstrates their effectiveness in managing specific conditions. Medical foods are often used in conjunction with other treatments to improve patient outcomes.
Medical Supervision: Our products are prescribed by a healthcare provider as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. This ensures that you are monitored for efficacy and potential side effects, providing a higher level of care.
Nutrient Absorption and Metabolism: Certain medical foods are specifically designed to help individuals with health conditions that impair their ability to absorb or metabolize certain nutrients. These products may be formulated to enhance the digestion and utilization of specific nutrients.
Reduced Risk of Complications: For individuals with certain medical conditions, maintaining proper nutrition is essential for preventing complications. Medical foods may help manage symptoms, support overall health, and prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Convenience: Medical foods can be more convenient than trying to obtain the required nutrients from regular food sources, especially for people with restricted diets or specific dietary needs due to their conditions. This can help improve compliance with nutritional recommendations.
Regulated for Safety: Our products are regulated by the FDA as medical foods. They must meet specific safety and quality standards, ensuring that they are both safe and effective for the intended use. Over-the-counter supplements do not provide this benefit.
Overall, medical foods provide targeted, evidence-based nutrition and support for individuals with specific medical conditions, enabling them to manage their health more effectively.
Why do Medical Foods matter?
Many of our products contain nutrients that are considered “bioavailable”. Bioavailability refers to how well and how quickly a substance may be absorbed and used by the body. So when we say an ingredient is bioavailable, it refers to how efficiently your body can take that nutrient from the pill (or powder, capsule, etc.) and actually get it into your bloodstream to do its job.
Just because you’re taking a supplement, it doesn’t mean your body is absorbing it or using it effectively. Some forms of nutrients are hard to absorb or get broken down in the stomach before they can be used by your body. Bioavailable forms are better designed to survive digestion and to be taken up by cells quickly and efficiently. If a supplement isn’t bioavailable, you may be wasting your money, and you may not achieve the results you expect.
What to Look For:
Active forms of vitamins (like methylfolate vs. folic acid, or CoQ10 as ubiquinol)
Chelated minerals (bound to amino acids for better absorption)
Enhanced delivery systems (like liposomal, nano emulsified, or sublingual forms)
A bioavailable ingredient means you’re more likely to actually benefit from it – it’s not just about what’s on the label, it’s about what your body can use. Choosing high-quality, bioavailable forms of nutrients is a smart and often necessary choice for real results.
Medical foods vs. Medications: What’s the Difference?
1. Medical foods are a more natural approach
Medical foods (like specially formulated vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or herbal products) support general health, fill nutritional gaps, or enhance physiological function. They often support the body’s own healing processes rather than blocking or forcing a specific pathway, like many drugs do.
2. Fewer Side Effects
Medical foods are generally well-tolerated. Medications, particularly when used long-term, can come with a laundry list of side effects: gastrointestinal issues, dependency, organ toxicity, and more. Medical foods can be a gentler, long-term approach to managing certain chronic conditions.
3. Targeting the Root Cause vs. Symptoms
Medications are often symptom-focused: managing pain, lowering blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, etc. Many medical foods work upstream, supporting metabolic pathways, inflammation resolution, and mitochondrial function, among other benefits. This can lead to more sustainable health improvements, especially when used in conjunction with prescription medicines.
4. Chronic Conditions + Functional Medicine Approach
Osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, fatigue, mild cognitive decline, GI issues, low bone density, and other conditions often respond well to the support provided by medical foods. These products can be part of a functional medicine strategy that considers lifestyle, nutrition, gut health, and stress, rather than relying solely on prescription medicines.
5. Synergistic With Medications
Medical foods don’t always replace medications, but they may reduce the need for high doses, minimize side effects, or improve outcomes when used in conjunction with medications (with medical supervision, of course). For example, omega-3s support mood and heart health, curcumin may reduce inflammation, and B vitamins aid nerve function — all of which potentially reduce the medication burden.
6. Empowering Patients
Medical foods give you a sense of control over your health. People often appreciate being proactive rather than dependent solely on prescriptions.
How do I order one of your products?
If this is your first time ordering with us, click on the “Buy Product” link for the product you’re interested in. That will take you to the shopping cart, where you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and provide your shipping and payment information. Dr. Teichman will receive a notice of your order and evaluate if this product is right for you. All first-time orders require approval from a healthcare professional. Refills do not.
Do I need a consultation before ordering?
Not necessarily, but we’re happy to do so if you have questions about which product is appropriate for you. Please visit our consultations page to schedule. Our consultation fee is $75.00.
How do I schedule a consultation?
If you have questions about which product is appropriate for you, please visit our consultations page to set one up. The video consultation fee is $75.00.