Human health in nature--towards a holistic philosophy of nutrition.

OBJECTIVE To explain how the philosophy of nutrition is part of the philosophy of health. To show that this link allows practical solutions for equity and sustainability. METHOD An analysis of the historical philosophies concerned with nutrition and health. A comparison of the definitions in the history of mind from antiquity to the beginning of the twenty-first century. CONCLUSION We are not individually healthy, but we are so in togetherness, even with animals and plants. Comprehensive nutrition science has physical, social and environmental attributes. It follows that nutrition is good for the enhancement of good company with human beings as well as with the connatural world. We recognise that we owe to others what we are and this constitutes the equity of being.