Diet and Nutrition
Are We What We Eat?
The foundation of optimal wellness is avoiding foods that the body is intolerant to and providing the correct foods to fuel the body. The first step of dietary management is the detection and elimination of foods that are intolerable to the body. A six week to three month avoidance regimen and carefully planned reintroduction of intolerant foods helps alleviate the stresses placed on frequently overtaxed and inflamed digestive systems. This first step often decreases pain, increases energy and alleviates sinus and digestive dysfunction.
The second step of dietary management is providing specific foods for each individual’s unique metabolism. There are bad foods that are bad for everyone. There are good foods, some of which are good for some people and bad for others. A technique presently used to determine which good foods will help optimize cellular metabolism is metabolic typing. This technique monitors blood glucose and physical markers in an attempt to monitor shifts in the body in response to glucose and potassium challenges. Depending on the exact metabolic type, foods may be used to create acid or alkaline shifts in the body to promote the right pH for cellular function.
Thriving Beyond Food
Modern agricultural techniques, stressful lifestyles, and environmental pollution have created greater nutritional needs for all individuals. Extensively trained to recognize vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as the possible therapeutic indications for high doses of vitamins and minerals, naturopathic doctors commonly use nutritional supplements to treat functional and pathological disorders. Naturopathic doctors also have extensive training in metabolic cofactors essential to enzymatic pathways. The clinical use of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and specialized diets is one of your most powerful tools in addressing your specific health concerns.