Role of Nutrition in Chronic Disease Management
Nutrition is critical in managing chronic diseases, and as a nutritional therapist, I aim to educate everyone about its importance. Food is viewed as medicine in naturopathic nutrition, and nutritional therapy focuses on addressing the root cause of the disease rather than just covering the symptoms. We find this by assessing and managing the entire body with dietary counselling.
The adage “Let food be Thy Medicine and Medicine be Thy Food” by Hippocrates still holds true today. When considering chronic disease in the body, nutritional therapists examine all of the potential reasons.
What is the difference between naturopathic nutrition to conventional nutrition?
Naturopathic nutrition differs from conventional nutrition as we prefer whole and organic food where possible. Nutritional therapists focus on the avoidance of processed and refined foods. These foods tend to be mixed with tons of chemicals from additives, artificial substances, and toxins. Non-organic and processed food could cause potential harm and bodily disruption. This is due to the pesticides it is sprayed with, GMOs, growth stock hormones, and live feed additives. These processed foods can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, imbalanced hormones, digestive problems, cancer, and even affect mental health.
For example, instead of using a jar of Bolognese sauce, you can make it from scratch using passata or fresh tomatoes and herbs. As a result this is more satisfying to eat and also provides greater nutritional benefits.
Are superfoods beneficial?
Superfoods enhance a person’s health. However, superfoods shouldn’t be used in isolation or as a quick fix. Some superfoods can contain nearly all the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements a body needs. Some foods are algae, bee pollen, sprouts, liver, and wheatgrass. The food industry likes to use the word superfoods far too much, which can be due to marketing hoping more people will buy the products; however, not all those branded superfoods are.
Why nutritional therapists focus on micronutrients.
Micronutrients are majorly crucial in health, and they support our hormones, metabolism, digestive system, nervous systems, immunity, detoxification, and much more. These body systems need to be brought into what nutritional therapists call homeostasis. Homeostasis is essentially balance, this balance supports chronic disease and creates optimal health.
Many things disrupt these systems, such as stress, medication, poor nutrient intake, anti-nutrient foods, a disrupted gut microbiome, etc. Vitamins and minerals are the micronutrients we need, and our bodies cannot produce these. Therefore, we must derive them from the food we eat.
Are supplements a better approach for micronutrients?
Supplements are not the best approach for micronutrients. Food always comes first in cases of chronic conditions. We may supplement alongside a healthy diet to help support and give the best outcome for the client. However, taking supplements in isolation without diet improvement will not be beneficial.
So where can you start?
Therefore, finding a registered nutritional therapist like myself to assess and manage your health holistically will help you greatly by giving you a strategic and sustainable nutrition plan. I can help you achieve optimal health and support your chronic conditions with nutritional therapy. If you are ready to start feeling great today, contact me via my booking page https://vitaminbeth.com/book-now/
References:
- Sarris J, Wardle J. Clinical Naturopathy: An evidence-based guide to practice. Elsevier Australia; 2014.
- Allen J, Montalto M, Lovejoy J, Weber W. Detoxification in Naturopathic Medicine: A Survey. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(12):1175-1180.
- Saha S. Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Mediterr J Nutr Metab. 2012;5(2):87-90.
