Four main aspects of the transformation from traditional medicine and food homology to modern food and medicine homology: concept, lifestyle, food processing, modernization, and internationalization. Credit: Food & Medicine Homology
The principle of “homology of medicine and food”, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has long dictated health-conscious dietary practices. But in the face of a convergence of modernization and global health trends, there is an urgent need to innovate these historic guidelines. The complex interplay of evolving consumer attitudes, breakthrough science and changing lifestyles is posing challenges that demand a deeper dig into how this ancient philosophy can be modernized for today’s world.
Researchers from the National Edible Fungi Processing Technology Research and Development Center and the University of Auckland published a comprehensive review in the journal “Food and Medicine Homology” on July 25, 2024. The academic paper provides a detailed review of how the age-old concept of medicine and food homology is revolutionizing to fit modern lifestyles and health needs.
The study reveals that “drug-food homology” is moving from a traditional framework to a modern health strategy. Paying close attention to historical developments and current trends, it illustrates the key role of the COVID-19 pandemic in accelerating this transition.
This study provides a critical perspective on how this transformation will affect food processing, eating habits, consumer perceptions, and life choices, and advocates for a holistic health approach that blends ancient insights with modern imperatives. The in-depth analysis of this study strongly advocates for the modernization and globalization of food and medicine homology theory, and points the way for future research and progress in this field.
Professor Wen-Yi Kang (corresponding author) and Professor Dong Xiao-San Waterhouse (first author) emphasize the importance of integrating traditional wisdom and modern medicine, saying, “Our review aims to demonstrate the potential for integrating ancient dietary habits with modern life and strategically using food as medicine to promote health and prevent disease.”
The findings have profound implications for the future of healthcare, suggesting a shift towards personalized nutrition and proactive health management. The integration of both medicines and food-based substances into mainstream healthcare could bring about a fundamental shift in disease prevention and treatment. The study points to an integrative, sustainable approach to health that is in line with growing consumer demand for holistic health solutions.
Further information: Dong-Xiao Sun-Waterhouse et al., “The shift from traditional medicine-food homology to modern food-medicine homology,” Food & Medicine Homology (2024). DOI: 10.26599/FMH.2024.9420014
Courtesy of Tsinghua University Press
Source: Blending Medicine and Cuisine: A New Chapter in Health (August 12, 2024) Retrieved August 12, 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-blending-medicine-cuisine-chapter-health.html
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