How to Stay Up to Date with the Latest Nutrition Research

As a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) or CNS candidate, you want to stay informed about the latest nutrition research to provide evidence-based recommendations to your future clients. However, keeping up with new studies, clinical guidelines, and emerging trends in biochemistry, metabolism, and clinical nutrition can feel overwhelming—especially when juggling practice management, coursework, clinical hours, and exam prep.

Fortunately, there are efficient and strategic ways to stay up to date without drowning in information. In this guide, we’ll cover how to create research alerts, find high-quality evergreen trainings, and organize information into actionable protocols—so you can build a solid clinical knowledge base without spending hours sifting through studies.

Set Up Research Alerts on PubMed

PubMed is the gold standard for accessing peer-reviewed nutrition and medical research. But rather than manually searching for new studies, you can set up email alerts that send you the latest research on topics relevant to your CNS practice.

How to Set Up PubMed Alerts:

1️⃣ Go to PubMed and create a free NCBI account.
2️⃣ Enter your topic into the search bar (e.g., "nutrigenomics and mental health" or "curcumin and inflammation").
3️⃣ Filter results by date, article type, and free full-text availability.
4️⃣ Click “Create Alert” below the search bar.
5️⃣ Choose how often you’d like to receive email updates (daily, weekly, or monthly).

📩 Now, you’ll automatically receive the latest research without needing to search for it manually!

Key Topics to Track as a CNS Candidate

Here are some high-yield topics to follow as a future CNS:
✔️ Nutrigenomics & Epigenetics – How genetic variations influence metabolism and nutrition needs.
✔️ Gut Microbiome & Brain Health – The gut-brain axis, probiotics, and mental health.
✔️ Chronic Inflammation & Disease Prevention – Nutritional interventions for inflammatory conditions (be sure to specify the conditions you’re interested in).
✔️ Herbs & Botanicals – The latest research on herbal medicine in clinical nutrition.

These alerts help you effortlessly stay informed about cutting-edge research that directly impacts your CNS practice.

Subscribe to Reputable Nutrition Journals & Newsletters

In addition to PubMed alerts, subscribing to key nutrition journals and industry newsletters ensures you don’t miss important research and clinical updates.

Top Peer-Reviewed Journals for CNS Candidates:

📖 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN)
📖 Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (JAND)
📖 Advances in Nutrition
📖 Nutrients (Open-access journal with free full-text articles)
📖 Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal

💡 Pro Tip: Many of these journals offer email digests or RSS feeds summarizing the latest research. Subscribe to weekly or monthly updates so you get research highlights without getting overwhelmed.

Find & Bookmark Evergreen Trainings for Long-Term Learning

Not all research changes rapidly—some foundational topics are evergreen, meaning they remain relevant over time. Investing in high-quality, evidence-based trainings on these topics helps you build long-term clinical confidence.

What Are Evergreen Topics in Clinical Nutrition?

✔️ Biochemistry & Metabolism – Nutrient pathways, energy production, and metabolic function.
✔️ Micronutrient Deficiencies & Testing – Understanding functional lab markers.
✔️ Herbs & Botanicals in Clinical Practice – Evidence-based herbal interventions.
✔️ Food Safety & Toxicology – Identifying contaminants, foodborne illness risks, and nutrient-drug interactions.
✔️ Genomics & Nutrigenomics – How genetics influence nutrition needs.

Many CNS candidates struggle with genomics, herbs, and food safety because they weren’t emphasized in their graduate programs. That’s why we created the CNS Exam Prep Mini Bundle—a self-paced, evidence-based training covering these critical but often overlooked topics.

🚀 Check out the CNS Exam Prep Mini Bundle to fill in the gaps and strengthen your clinical knowledge!

The key to actually applying new research is to organize it into protocols that can be used in practice.

How to Build a Research-Backed Protocol Library

📂 Create a digital folder system (Google Drive, Notion, Evernote) with categories like:
✔️ Gut Health Protocols – Dysbiosis, SIBO, microbiome testing.
✔️ Hormone Balance Protocols – Cortisol regulation, thyroid support.
✔️ Chronic Inflammation Protocols – Anti-inflammatory diets, nutraceuticals.
✔️ Genomic-Based Nutrition Protocols – MTHFR, APOE, nutrigenomics interventions.
✔️ Herbal & Botanical Protocols – Evidence-based uses of adaptogens, nervines, and anti-inflammatory herbs.

📝 For each protocol, include:
✅ Key nutrients, foods, and supplements supported by research
✅ Dosing guidelines (based on peer-reviewed studies)
✅ Potential contraindications & drug interactions
✅ Recent research citations

💡 Pro Tip: Use PubMed alerts and journal digests to update protocols every 6-12 months with the latest research.

Attend Annual Conferences & Webinars

Attending live conferences and webinars allows you to stay updated on cutting-edge clinical applications while connecting with other CNS professionals.

🎓 Integrative Healthcare Symposium – Covers functional nutrition and integrative medicine.
🎓 American Nutrition Association (ANA) Annual Conference – Focused on advanced nutrition science.
🎓 Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Annual Conference – Covers lab testing, chronic disease interventions.

Many conferences offer virtual attendance options and on-demand recordings, making it easier to learn on your own schedule.

Final Thoughts: Make Learning a Habit, Not a Chore

Staying up to date with the latest nutrition research doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using automated alerts, curated resources, and structured learning, you can stay informed without spending hours searching for new studies.

Here’s your action plan:
✅ Set up PubMed alerts for your key topics
✅ Subscribe to top journals & newsletters for research summaries
✅ Invest in evergreen trainings to build long-term clinical knowledge
✅ Organize research into protocols for easy application
✅ Attend conferences & webinars to stay ahead

🚀 Want to deepen your expertise in under-taught CNS topics?
Check out the CNS Exam Prep Mini Bundle, covering genomics, herbs, and food safety—so you can feel confident applying the latest research in your practice!