Editor’s note: In addition to diabetes and heart disease, some 40 million Americans are recovering from, or living with, serious physical conditions such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, degenerative diseases and other conditions where nutrition is critical and the right ingredients can help improve outcomes and quality of life. Author Mark Anthony, in addition to being a biochemist, professor of health science and nutrition, and champion athlete, is also a cancer survivor. Here, he highlights untapped opportunities processors have for meeting the needs of this huge consumer demographic.

A run-in with a serious disease is a powerful stimulus for change, and reducing symptoms and risk factors through diet is generally a focal point of that change. Recovery has many stages, and good nutrition is critical along all of them.