Nutritional advice is using diet to prevent, (or treat), an illness and reinstate the natural healthy equilibrium to the body. I believe that many of the diseases of the body and mind originate due to poor nutrition. Clinical deficiencies can lead to deficiency diseases, e.g. too little vitamin C leads to scurvy, not enough iron causes anaemia and lack of vitamin D in children results in rickets. There are also sub-clinical deficiencies - vitamin and mineral deficiencies which are not great enough to cause a full-blown clinical deficiency to develop, which may worsen, over time, into annoying, or irritating minor symptoms which prevent the mind or body functioning properly. These are compounded by stress which frequently masks the symptoms of the deficiencies because of general fatigue, reduced immunological function, (lots of colds, etc.), and poor skin condition.
The modern diet of refined, processed foods and ready meals has much of its nutrients removed during preparation. They also tend to have quantities of sugar, salt, fat, flavourings, preservatives, colourants, etc., added during manufacture. (There are some 5000 chemicals permitted in or on our foods and most of them are slowly killings us.) This means people are usually well fed but are greatly under-nourished, and carrying many man-made chemicals around their bodies. As a result obesity, heart disease, strokes, premature ageing and digestive problems are at epidemic levels.
Yet it is known that many foods have therapeutic properties - some reduce inflammation and people with ailments like arthritis should exclude certain foods from their diet and dramatic improvements are seen in their condition. Foods can be used to alter the mood/emotions and relieve the symptoms of the menopause. I feel that everyone should have access to this natural remedy kit.
Nutritional advice is a sophisticated system of healthcare, which is reliant on a sound knowledge of biochemistry, physiology and nutritional components. Treatment depends on four main factors:
1) lifestyle/stress levels
2) present nutritional habits - deficiencies
3) chemical overload - food additives, caffeine, alcohol, environmental pollution and gut micro-organisms
4) food and environmental intolerances/allergies.
What Happens at a Consultation?
The therapist will take a full nutritional profile, and past medical history. They may take your blood pressure, weigh you and make a body fat percentage measurement, examine your eyes and tongue. All of these can help me decide what is the correct course for you. It is possible that you will recommend allergy or intolerance tests, or the elimination of certain foods from your diet, or the inclusion of specific supplements. There are so many variables and as each person is different your plan will be unique to you.
You may be recommend lifestyle changes or suggested natural remedies to support your therapy.
Therapist - Can be provided by most of our therapists. |
