Nova Institute for Health: Bridging Nutrition, Mental Health, and Social Justice

I’m thrilled to announce my appointment as invited faculty at the Nova Institute for Health, an organization at the forefront of integrative health research and education. This affiliation represents an exciting convergence of my work in nutritional psychology, eating disorders, and addiction recovery with the Institute’s mission to transform health through innovative, evidence-based approaches.

Why This Collaboration Matters

The Nova Institute recognizes what I’ve long advocated: that true health encompasses the complex interplay between our bodies, minds, and environments. Their commitment to exploring the interconnections between personal, planetary, and societal health aligns perfectly with my research and clinical focus on the commercial determinants of health and nutrition as a social justice issue.

My invitation to join their faculty stems from my expertise in several key areas:

Ultra-Processed Food Addiction & Eating Disorders

My work bridging the often-contentious gap between eating disorder treatment approaches and ultra-processed food addiction research has created new conversations in the field. At Nova, I’ll continue developing frameworks that honor both the psychological complexity of disordered eating and the biological impact of highly engineered foods on our brain chemistry and gut health.

As I’ve previously written, these perspectives need not be in opposition. By understanding both the psychological drivers of restriction and the neurobiological effects of certain foods, we can develop more comprehensive treatment approaches.

Nutrition for Addiction Recovery

Since founding Nutrition in Recovery over a decade ago, I’ve pioneered protocols for integrating nutrition services into addiction treatment. The Nova Institute’s holistic approach to health offers an ideal platform to expand this work and advocate for nutrition as a core component of recovery.

The Institute’s emphasis on integrative approaches aligns with my research on the biological mechanisms underlying the nutrition-addiction connection and practical applications in treatment settings.

Nutritional Criminology & Justice Reform

Perhaps most exciting is the opportunity to advance the emerging field of nutritional criminology through the Nova platform. My research on how nutrition impacts behavior, aggression, and mental health has significant implications for prison reform and juvenile justice.

The evidence suggesting that nutritional interventions can reduce violent behavior and recidivism rates demands greater attention from policymakers. Through my affiliation with the Nova Institute, I hope to accelerate this important conversation about nutrition as a tool for creating more humane and effective justice systems.

Commercial Determinants of Health: A Shared Perspective

One of the most compelling reasons for joining the Nova Institute is our shared recognition of the commercial determinants of health. As I’ve discussed in my presentations on “Nutrition as a Social Justice Issue”, we cannot address nutrition-related health disparities without confronting how commercial interests shape our food environment, especially in vulnerable communities.

The Nova Institute’s commitment to bringing together diverse disciplines—from microbiome science to environmental health to social equity—creates the perfect ecosystem for examining these complex interrelationships.

Moving Forward Together

Through this partnership, I look forward to:

• Collaborating with fellow faculty on interdisciplinary research initiatives
• Developing educational programs that integrate nutritional approaches into mental health care
• Creating frameworks for addressing nutrition-related health disparities
• Advocating for policy changes that recognize the role of nutrition in mental health, addiction recovery, and criminal justice reform

My work has always been about building bridges—between nutrition and mental health, between seemingly opposed treatment philosophies, and between biological mechanisms and social determinants. The Nova Institute provides a platform to strengthen these connections while forging new ones.

I invite my colleagues and clients to explore the exceptional work happening at the Nova Institute for Health and to join me in advancing a more integrated, evidence-based approach to nutrition and mental health.

Stay tuned for upcoming collaborations, research developments, and educational opportunities stemming from this exciting partnership.

For more information about my work in nutrition and mental health, explore the research and training sections of my website, or learn more about working with me through Nutrition in Recovery or the Wise Mind Nutrition app.