American Nutrition Association(ANA)

What American Nutrition Association(ANA) does

The American Nutrition Association (ANA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association founded in 1959 that operates a vertically integrated ecosystem for personalized nutrition practitioners. It runs an LMS platform (lms.theana.org) that delivers online training programs, certification applications, and continuing education content, and administers the NCCA-accredited Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential — the most rigorous U.S. credential for personalized nutrition practitioners — through its certifying arm, the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS). ANA also administers specialty certifications (CKNS for ketogenic nutrition, CNGS for nutritional genomics, CPNP for personalized nutrition practice) and offers a growing catalog of 12+ Integrating Nutrition Into Practice modules priced $49–$219, plus two flagship specialty training programs (Nutritional Genomics at $1,045; Advanced Ketogenic Nutrition at $695).

The organization's business model is a hybrid of one-time training/certification fees, recurring content membership subscriptions, recertification fees ($125 every five years), corporate partnerships, and philanthropic donations, governed by a published Corporate Relationship Policy with a two-stage scientific vetting process. ANA serves four primary customer segments: (1) graduate-level nutrition and health professionals pursuing CNS certification, (2) practicing CNS professionals maintaining their credential through CE, (3) universities with graduate nutrition programs seeking ACNPE accreditation and curriculum alignment, and (4) consumers seeking science-based nutrition education. Its competitive position rests on regulatory accreditation, a 65+ year brand heritage, partnerships with over 60 universities, a Scientific Advisory Board of named researchers, the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Nutrition Association (JANA), and federal/state advocacy through its Center for Nutrition Advocacy affiliate.

Name

American Nutrition Association(ANA)

Legal name

American Nutrition Association

Website

https://theana.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Nutrition Certification and Education

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

General Nutrition Coaching (HSADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical Nutrition Therapy (Registered Dietitian) (HSADAFAE), Nutrition Governance, Policy & Coordination (SUN, National Plans) (BPADAJAL)

Keywords

• Nutrition certification programs
• Professional health education
• Personalized nutrition training
• Continuing medical education
• Nutrition science advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Hinsdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: The ANA/BCNS charges application fees ($150), CNS exam fees ($400), and Iso Quality Testing center fees ($83) for certification. Specialty certification exams (CKNS, CNGS, CPNP) are priced at $250 each. Recertification fees are $125 every five years. This is a recurring revenue stream as certificants must renew.
2. Training Program Enrollment: ANA generates revenue from fee-based online training programs including the Nutritional Genomics Training Program ($1,045), Advanced Ketogenic Nutrition Training Program ($695), and multiple Integrating Nutrition Into Practice modules ($49–$219 each). These are one-time purchases for online course access.
3. Content Membership: ANA offers Content Membership subscriptions providing access to world-renowned researchers, clinicians, and partners delivering the latest science and practice of personalized nutrition for CE/CME credits.
4. Corporate Relationships & Donations: As a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, ANA accepts corporate funding from aligned companies and charitable contributions to support its mission. The Form 990 is publicly available.
5. Partnership Initiatives: ANA enters into joint initiatives with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies (e.g., Jazz Pharmaceuticals) to develop and deliver evidence-based nutritional education resources, potentially funded by the partner.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The American Nutrition Association (ANA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association that administers the NCCA-accredited Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential and specialty certifications (CKNS, CNGS, CPNP), delivers online training programs and continuing education through its LMS platform, publishes the Journal of the American Nutrition Association (JANA), and conducts advocacy to expand state nutrition practice rights. Revenue is generated through certification fees, training program enrollment, content memberships, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

The American Nutrition Association offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational products organized as a platform of training programs, specialty certifications, and professional credentials centered on personalized nutrition. The core offerings include the Nutritional Genomics Training & Certification Program and Advanced Ketogenic Nutrition Training & Certification Program as flagship specialty programs. These are supplemented by the Integrating Nutrition Into Practice series of 11 advanced practice modules covering topics such as Behavioral Change & Motivational Interviewing, Cardiovascular Health, Cognitive & Mental Health, Hormone Health, Immune Resilience & Autoimmune Disease, Metabolic Health & Weight Management, Nutrients/Supplements & Therapeutic Diets, Nutritional Genomics & Other Omics, Personalized Nutrition Deep Dive, Personalized Nutrition Assessment, and Impact of Toxicity on Health. The ANA provides three professional certifications: Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist (CKNS), and Certified Nutritional Genomics Specialist (CNGS). Additionally, the organization publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Nutrition Association (JANA) and offers ANA Content Membership for continuing education. The Getting Started With Personalized Nutrition course serves as an introductory offering, while the Certified Personalized Nutrition Practitioner (CPN-P) credential provides pathway for practitioners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS): The gold-standard certification credential for advanced personalized nutrition practitioners administered by BCNS
• Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS)
• Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist (CKNS)
• Certified Nutritional Genomics Specialist (CNGS)
• Journal of the American Nutrition Association (JANA)
• ANA Foundation

Products and services

• Nutritional Genomics Training & Certification Program Online training program delivering foundational knowledge of nutritional genomics science for clinicians developing personalized nutrition intervention plans; covers genetic variations, gene expression, and clinical applications. Includes up to 48 CE credits. Priced at $1,045 one-time.
• Advanced Ketogenic Nutrition Training & Certification Program In-depth training for nutritionists and healthcare professionals on assessment, implementation, and maintenance of ketogenic diets for disorders of insulin regulation, cancer treatment, and neurological disorders. Includes up to 56 CE/CME credits. Priced at $695 one-time.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Behavioral Change & Motivational Interviewing Single module course exploring behavior change theories and motivational interviewing techniques for guiding individuals toward healthier dietary choices and sustainable lifestyle changes. Priced at $79.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Cardiovascular Health Single module course on inflammation's role in cardiovascular disease, laboratory test selection and interpretation, and personalized nutrition interventions for cardiovascular health.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Cognitive & Mental Health Course for health professionals on underlying mechanisms of cognitive health and dysfunction, and designing nutritional interventions to optimize cognitive and mental well-being. Priced at $119.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Gastrointestinal Health & the Microbiome Single module course on gastrointestinal health and the microbiome and its role in personalized nutrition practice.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Hormone Health Course focusing on physiology and metabolism of hormonal imbalances including cortisol, thyroid hormones, vitamin D, and sex hormones, with personalized nutrition interventions and nutraceuticals. Priced at $169.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Immune Resilience & Autoimmune Disease Comprehensive training on immune resilience research and practical insights into addressing autoimmune diseases through personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Priced at $109.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Metabolic Health & Weight Management Course exploring the relationship between insulin resistance, metabolic diseases, and weight management with personalized nutrition plans for optimal metabolic health. Priced at $155.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Nutritional Genomics & Other Omics Introductory course covering nutritional genomics, microbiomics, and other omics sciences for tailoring interventions using genetic and microbial information. Priced at $99.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Personalized Nutrition Deep Dive Comprehensive course equipping healthcare professionals with foundational knowledge and implementation skills for personalized nutrition practice. Priced at $219.
• Integrating Nutrition Into Practice: Impact of Toxicity on Health Course on the role of toxins in human health and disease, assessing toxicant levels, and tailoring personalized nutrition to mitigate toxin effects. Priced at $49.
• Getting Started With Personalized Nutrition One-hour introductory course on personalized nutrition covering the ANA's 7 Essentials of Nutrition, nutrition for cells and body systems, and personalizing nutrition approaches. Consumer-facing offering.
• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Credential The most advanced NCCA-accredited certification for personalized nutrition practitioners, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skill in personalized nutrition science and practice. Application fee $150; exam fee $400; $83 testing center fee; recertification $125 every 5 years.
• Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist (CKNS) Specialty credential demonstrating training on the appropriate therapeutic use of ketogenic nutrition to improve clinical outcomes in chronic metabolic conditions. Exam fee $250.
• Certified Nutritional Genomics Specialist (CNGS) Specialty credential identifying trained professionals in Nutritional Genomics upon completion of the Nutritional Genomics Training Program. Exam fee $250.
• Certified Personalized Nutrition Practitioner (CPN-P) Credential Professional credential for practitioners completing the ANA Personalized Nutrition Practitioner Training program with 3 modules and examination.
• Journal of the American Nutrition Association (JANA) Peer-reviewed journal curating and disseminating original research in nutrition to empower researchers and healthcare professionals.
• ANA Content Membership Subscription-based content membership providing access to world-renowned researchers, clinicians, and partners delivering the latest science and practice of personalized nutrition for CE/CME credits.
• ANA Advocacy Program Federal, state, and grassroots advocacy efforts raising awareness among legislators to build support for nutrition practitioners and advance policy change including Medical Nutrition Therapy Act and Treat and Reduce Obesity Act.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,473 active CNS credentials as of December 31, 2025; 256 candidates examined in 2025 with 75% pass rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jazz PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026ANA and Jazz Pharmaceuticals announced a joint initiative in March 2026 to provide evidence-based nutritional education on sodium reduction and cardiovascular health for people living with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. The collaboration addresses disproportionately higher cardiovascular and cardiometabolic comorbidities in these patient populations. Organizations will develop resources for both patients and healthcare providers to understand and manage total sodium exposure as part of cardiovascular risk mitigation. Further programming will be released as the collaboration progresses.
• Allergy Research Group (ARG)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerARG offers a FREE practitioner account on the ANA website unlocking exclusive wholesale pricing, clinical education, and protocols. ARG is a supplements brand focused on science-based nutritional products.
• BalchemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBalchem provides practitioner resources on supplements for bone health, choline intake, and nutrition for pregnancy through the ANA partner resources page. Content includes downloadable fact sheets and clinical education.
• Rupa HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRupa Health provides root cause medicine protocol content for PCOS and candida, shared through the ANA partner resources page as educational content for practitioners.
• GrassrootsHealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrassrootsHealth was awarded the Humanitarian Award by ANA in 2016, recognizing the organization's work in the nutrition field to benefit humanity.
• Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic TherapiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies was awarded the Humanitarian Award by ANA in 2017 for selflessly working to benefit humanity through ketogenic therapies.
• Accreditation Council for Nutrition Professional Education (ACNPE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACNPE is a separate and independent nonprofit that accredits master's degree clinical programs in nutrition. Founded in 2015 and based at acnpe.org, ACNPE's accreditation enhances quality of student learning and establishes standards for CNS eligibility.
• Over 60 Universities (University & CE Partnerships)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANA has relationships with over 60 regionally accredited universities offering graduate nutrition programs. ACNPE-accredited programs (University of Bridgeport, Maryland University of Integrative Health, National University of Natural Medicine) meet all CNS educational requirements. Programs include MS, doctoral, and certificate options.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board: Operated under the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), this body offers credentials for holistic nutrition practitioners. It overlaps with ANA's CNS and CPN-P offerings in addressing non-RD clinical nutrition practitioners.
• Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy: A specialized credentialing body offering the Certified Integrative and Functional Nutritionist (CIFN) credential. It directly competes with ANA's CNS and CPN-P in the personalized/functional nutrition practitioner segment.

Others

• International Association of Health Coaches: A professional association offering credentials (NBC-HWC) and training for health and wellness coaches. While not a direct nutrition credentialing competitor, IAHC addresses an adjacent practitioner audience with overlapping continuing education content needs.

Broad incumbents

• Commission on Dietetic Registration: The credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that administers the RD and RDN credentials. It is the primary U.S. clinical nutrition credentialing body against which ANA's CNS competes for institutional recognition and state licensure pathways.
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The largest U.S. nutrition professional association (~100,000+ members) administering the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through CDR. It is the most established direct competitor to ANA's CNS credential and the default credentialing body for clinical nutrition roles in U.S. healthcare.
• American Society for Nutrition: A leading U.S.-based scientific society for nutrition researchers, publishing multiple journals (Journal of Nutrition, AJCN) and hosting major conferences. ANA shares the research-community focus with ASN, though ANA leans more toward practitioner credentialing while ASN is more research-oriented.

Direct peers

• American College of Lifestyle Medicine: A medical professional association offering lifestyle medicine certification (ABLM) to physicians and health professionals. ACLM intersects with ANA's CNS in addressing chronic disease through nutrition and lifestyle interventions, and competes for the same clinician audience pursuing integrative care credentials.
• Institute for Functional Medicine: Provides the IFM Certification Program (IFMCP) for clinicians in functional and personalized medicine. It overlaps directly with ANA's CNS and CPN-P credentials in the personalized/functional nutrition practitioner segment and competes for the same clinician audience.
• National Association of Nutrition Professionals: A U.S. professional association for holistic nutrition practitioners offering the Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (BCHN) credential. NANP competes in a similar niche to ANA, representing nutrition professionals outside the traditional RD pathway.

Regional players

• International Society of Sports Nutrition: A professional society focused on sports nutrition that offers the CISSN credential. While sports-specific, it overlaps with ANA's CKNS specialty certification in the ketogenic and metabolic performance nutrition space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCi3GHHG_0M2MBaoqCBKd8OQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanNutritionAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-nutrition-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/americannutritionassociation
• Xx.com/AmNuAssn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Nutrition Association(ANA)