Position of The American Dietetic Association: Medical nutrition therapy and pharmacotherapy

It is the position of The American Dietetic Association that medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle counseling are integral components of medical treatment for the management of selected conditions for which pharmacotherapy is indicated. The Association promotes a team approach to care for clients receiving pharmacotherapy and encourages active collaboration among dietetics professionals and other members of the health care team. Numerous chronic medical conditions respond to medical nutrition therapy; however, pharmacotherapy may be needed to achieve control. In some cases, medical nutrition therapy and pharmacotherapy may need to be initiated simultaneously. Medical nutrition therapy is critical to the management of a variety of chronic diseases, is effective in managing disease, and is cost-effective. The use of a coordinated multidisciplinary team effort is critical to the success of medical nutrition therapy and pharmacotherapy. Because medical nutrition therapy with pharmacotherapy is a treatment of long duration that requires monitoring of compliance and effectiveness, it is best accomplished through a team approach.