The biological chain of events that explains how a treatment works.

In short, a mechanism is the explanation of exactly how a treatment works. This biological chain of events is the definitive reason substances cause health benefits, but not all are easily defined. It is not uncommon for studies to prove the efficacy of a certain treatment without understanding the direct mechanisms behind it. For example: dietary fiber. We all know fiber is an important part of a properly functioning digestive system but we haven’t figured out the exact steps that lead there. While there are theories, the complete mechanism is still unknown.

A probiotic, for example, might have a health benefit that depends on several mechanisms within the human body. Scientists explain phenomena by describing mechanisms that could produce it. Wherever possible and supported by research, we should make connections between mechanism, benefit, and the resulting structure-function claim.