MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HOLISTIC NUTRITION (M.S.)
Course Information
Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition (M.S.)
The World Health Organization statistics show that 70% of deaths globally occur due to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Seventy-five percent of these deaths are preventable by living a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, it has recently been estimated that one in five early deaths worldwide is associated with poor dietary habits. Proper nutrition, exercising, and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol can prevent these deaths.
Addressing this societal challenge through dietetics practice will require substantial human resource investment. According to the World Health Organization, there is currently a substantial shortage of nutritionist and dietician workers. The demand for nutrition education and nutrition professionals has increased exponentially.
Patient-centered care is a cornerstone of modern dietetics practice. A key tenant underlying this approach is the individualization of guidance based on the patient’s specific needs and, in a broad sense, treating the patient and not the disease. In parallel, personalization has recently developed as a trend in the consumer nutrition and wellness area.
Due to the lack of nutritionists and dieticians, numerous apps, programs, platforms, and plans are now aimed at delivering a personalized experience for the user based on profiling of an individual’s demographics, genotype, nutritional intake, status, anthropometrics, lifestyle behaviors, and/or preferences. Although this new technology has grown, most people would prefer to have compassionate human interaction.
The scientific evidence for personalized nutrition is growing. Substantiation continues to emerge that personalized nutrition can provide added value beyond conventional approaches. In the clinical setting, there has been increased recognition of the importance of implementing nutritional screening and intervention. For example, individualized nutrition assessments and the provision of tailored nutritional support in patients at nutritional risk have been shown to significantly improve clinical outcomes, including patient survival. In a broader wellness context, several important gene-diet interactions were found to influence the response to dietary weight‐loss interventions in the landmark DIOGENES trial.
More holistic approaches, leveraging personalized information based on both genotypic and phenotypic variation, have also been promising. A recent study on older Dutch adults found that the provision of personalized advice, based on dietary intake, and genetic and physiological information, resulted in increased resiliency and motivation, and decreased body fat percentage and hip circumference.
Likewise, an ongoing collaboration between Stanford University and Massachusetts General Hospital recently published a pilot study (PREDICT) and is now conducting a large observational study (PREDICT2) to measure individual metabolic responses to foods, with the aim of developing a commercial platform. In the Nutrigenomics, Overweight/Obesity and Weight Management Trial (NOW Trial), the effects of a lifestyle intervention employing personalized genetic testing and behavioral advice will be compared with the same intervention with population‐based advice.
However, for many commercial platforms, their benefit has yet to be established in randomized controlled trials. Challenges still exist in terms of replicability of results, diversity of population groups included, as well as scientific validation and accuracy of products currently available. It has become clear, however, that behavior change is the common denominator underpinning successful personalized nutrition approaches for which dietitians are well versed, trained, and experienced.
Our Holistic Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate Program deals with the science of how nutrition affects our health. You will learn evidence-based methods to prevent and treat various health conditions, including chronic and acute illnesses. Holistic nutritionists are specialized nutritionists that heal patients using natural foods and products instead of conventional medical treatments. They also seek to remedy the entire or "whole" person (mind, body, and soul).
Holistic nutrition is the foundation of any holistic health lifestyle plan for optimal health. Most Western Countries have shifted their emphasis to prevention in an effort to reduce healthcare costs and service a society that is both growing and living longer.
At the American University of Holistic Sciences, our mission is to educate our students to become professionally trained nutrition and wellness authorities to fill the present demand.
• You will also be educated in Regulatory Compliance and Technical Label Copy
• Calculate and validate product Ingredient Statements, nutrition facts, percentage range formulas, and allergen statements.
• Enter data and maintain Genesis R&D database to create Nutritional Facts for domestic and international products, co-packers, and international markets.
• Review compliance of consumer package graphics with domestic and international governmental regulations.
• Adhere to FDA food label requirements.
• Conduct product label audits.
• Calculate ingredient statements and Nutrition Facts for R&D potential products to facilitate product development analysis and revisions.
• Assist R&D in the development of draft product specifications
• Assist Plant QA in the development of production floor product specifications.
• Evaluate potential new products for potential label claims.
• Support database of plant product case labels.
You will also be educated as a Certified Dietary Supplement Professional. A Certified Dietary Supplement Professional's philosophy on dietary supplements is that well-formulated, evidence-based products can significantly contribute to the public’s health and well-being. While not a substitute for a good diet, dietary supplements represent an important spoke on the wheel of holistic health. Having this credential demonstrates that you are at the top of your game, have considerable knowledge, and have received excellent training in the use of dietary supplements.
Upon completing this course, and your payment plan has been completed, you will be conferred a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition (M.S.), and professionally recognized as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (CHN), and a Certified Dietary Supplement Specialist (CDSS). You will be Board Certified by the American University of Holistic Sciences' Nutrition and Dietetics Certification and Accreditation Board. Details will be included with your course materials.
The shop button is located on the top navigation bar.
Textbooks and Course Materials included with this purchase