The Healthy Core Metabolism: A New Paradigm for Primary Preventive Nutrition

Area of Science:

• Preventive nutrition
• Human metabolism
• Physiology

Background:

• Despite extensive nutrition research and recommendations, global obesity and type 2 diabetes rates are rising, decreasing healthy life years.
• This paradox may stem from the "Nutrition Transition," reductionist research approaches, poor nutritional education, and a focus on curative rather than preventive strategies.
• Current preventive nutrition often focuses on at-risk or ill populations, overlooking the potential of studying healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a paradigm shift in preventive nutrition research, focusing on healthy individuals from birth to maturity.
• To define and investigate the "Healthy Core Metabolism"—the stable physiological state resilient to dietary, genetic, and environmental changes.
• To identify strategies for optimizing physiological function during the growth phase to enhance long-term healthspan.

Main Methods:

• This position paper reviews existing nutritional data and proposes a conceptual framework.
• It introduces the "Healthy Core Metabolism" concept based on observations of physiological systems.
• It analyzes the growth, optimum, and decline phases of key human physiological systems.

Main Results:

• The study identifies a "Healthy Core Metabolism" as a stable metabolic state in healthy individuals.
• Key physiological systems (neuro-vasculo-sarco-osteoporotic) exhibit a concave curve pattern (growth, optimum, decline).
• Maximizing physiological function during the growth phase is proposed as crucial for long-term health.

Conclusions:

• True primary preventive nutrition should prioritize understanding and optimizing the growth phase in healthy individuals.
• Focusing on building a robust "Healthy Core Metabolism" can help maximize physiological potential.
• This approach aims to align healthy life years with theoretical life expectancy, combating the decline in well-being.