Predicting 2023 Trends in Integrative Medicine

The integrative medicine field continues to expand as more consumers seek a patient-centered, holistic approach to their healthcare. Greater mainstream acceptance and consumer interest in integrative medicine are driving many exciting new (and not-so-new) trends. So, what health and wellness trends can you expect to see more of this year? Keep reading to discover my predictions for some integrative medicine trends you may encounter in 2023.

Longevity support

According to a recent report, the anti-aging and longevity market size was valued at nearly $37 billion USD in 2020 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 22% between now and 2028. (1)

Personally, I’ve noticed an increase in patients expressing an interest in longevity-supportive nutrients such as CoQ10, resveratrol, NAD+, and curcumin. But that’s not all. Patients are also becoming increasingly curious about longevity-promoting lifestyle behaviors ranging from incorporating strength training and tai chi into their fitness routine to eating more antioxidant-rich foods and managing stress levels.

Integrative healthcare practitioners can meet this growing demand by staying on top of the latest aging and longevity research. I’m especially paying close attention to the research around  NAD+ boosters such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) for supporting healthy aging.

SIBO diagnostics and therapeutics

Gut health always seems to be at the top of the list for trending topics year after year. Still, experts have noticed a rise in interest and awareness of one particular condition affecting the gut—small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). One report predicts that the global market for SIBO diagnostics is expected to reach nearly $200,000 USD by 2028 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.35% between 2020 and 2028. (6) Don’t be surprised to see more SIBO testing options, particularly at-home breath test kits as well as emerging therapeutics like herbal antibiotics, motility support, and more individualized treatment options.

Mental health solutions

Mental health concerns have continued to rise over the last few years. (2) A survey conducted in June 2022 revealed that the top conditions reported by consumers include stress and depression. (4)

Consistent with data from years prior, consumers are turning to natural solutions to help them manage health conditions—and their mental health is no exception. Supplements for mood and mental support are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4% between 2021 and 2025. Additionally, sales for this segment of the supplement market grew by 11.5% to $1.3 billion USD in 2021 alone. (5) Be prepared to offer evidence-based solutions as more and more consumers seek out natural alternatives to help them improve their mental and emotional well-being.  

Another emerging field in the integrative medicine space is nutritional psychiatry, which harnesses the power of food and targeted dietary supplements to prevent, treat, and manage many psychiatric disorders. (7) Stay up to date on the latest research on the connection between diet and mental health and the vital role nutrition plays in optimizing brain health to help your patients improve their mental well-being.

Metabolic monitoring 

Be on the lookout for more direct-to-consumer wearable technology, particularly medical wearables such as continuous glucose monitoring devices. Although primarily used by individuals with diabetes, these devices are now popular among consumers without known metabolic issues who want to use the data to help inform their diet and exercise habits. (3) Integrative healthcare providers can also take advantage of the data collected from these devices to help create personalized treatment plans for their patients. 

Food as medicine

Although hardly a new concept, data shows that a growing number of consumers are treating “food as medicine” to help improve their overall health and to prevent, reverse, or improve their chronic health conditions. You may notice an increase in patients with a newfound interest in functional foods such as medicinal mushrooms, berries, leafy greens, and ancient grains, as well as supplements and packaged foods containing health-promoting ingredients like collagen, ashwagandha, apple cider vinegar, maca, and more. I expect that we’ll continue to see more food and supplement companies launching functional foods, beverages, and supplements in 2023 to meet this growing consumer demand. 

The bottom line

Integrative medicine is more popular than ever, and trends are always evolving. What trends are you expecting to see this year? Leave your predictions in the comments below.