Nutrition therapists; are consulted to treat obesity, eating disorders, and disease; caused by deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals. Although deficiency diseases are rare in the United States, they still occur, especially among the poor. The elderly and alcoholics are also vulnerable because they often consume very limited types and amounts of food. Nutrition therapy has become an important component of treating diabetes, heart disease, and intestinal disorders. A nutrition therapist may also be asked to recommend dietary changes for a hyperactive child or for a person with allergies, lactose intolerance, or metabolic disorders. Healthy people, such as athletes and pregnant women, a so turn to nutrition therapists for dietary'( advice to meet their special needs. High dose vitamins are used in both conventional and alternative medicine, but for very different purposes. For example, very high doses of niacin (a B vitamin) al sometimes used in conventional medicine to lower blood cholesterol. High dose vitamin E may be prescribed to treat fibre cystic breasts, and alcoholics may be gi' Ten large amounts of thiamine. Alternative practitioners, on the other hand, recommend high doses of vitamins the benefits of which are unproven for a wider range of illnesses. RI :search indicates that beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) and vitamins A, ,and E (antioxidant nutrients that offset harmful effects of oxygen metabolism) may help prevent cancer and heart disease and slow the aging process, but new data suggest that eating foods high in these nutrients is more effective than taking supplements.
How It Works
Because vitamins and minerals are essential to normal metabolism and other body functions , keeping a proper balance of them in the system is important to good health. However, a vitamin or mineral consumed in amounts greater than your body readily needs takes on the properties of a drug, and as with any drug, it carries a risk of side effects . For example, excesses of vitamins A and D, which are stored in the liver and fatty tissue, can lead to toxicity. High doses of minerals, especially iron, potassium, and lithium, can also be toxic.
What To Expect
Nutrition therapy begins with a careful health assessment and a review of the patient's diet. If the person has a chronic health problem such as diabetes, the nutrition therapist should work with the primary care physician. In cases that involve obesity or eating disorders, psychotherapy and behavior modification play an important role in long term success. Some nutritionists ask that clients keep a careful food diary; others inspect the client's kitchen shelves. Occasionally, nutrition therapists even show clients how to make wise choices at supermarkets and restaurants.
Precautions
Never undertake to treat yourself or a family member with megavitamins. Vitamins in large amounts are powerful drugs with a high risk of unpleasant or lethal side effects.
Keep vitamin and mineral pills out of children's reach. Iron overdose is a leading cause of poisoning death in children.
Nutrition fraud is one of the most common forms of medical quackery. Be wary of any nutrition counselor who:
Diagnoses deficiencies with hair or saliva tests (both worthless).
Sells a private brand of nutritional supplements.
Promises a nutritional cure for arthritis, asthma, or any other incurable chronic disease.
Read more on Adrenal support Check out for tyler vitamins and indolplex
Nutrition Therapy
Nutrition therapy is based on the premise that diet in general or certain vitamins and minerals in particular can prevent or cure disease. Practices range from simply eating a balanced diet to maintain good health to taking mega doses of vitamins and...
Holistic Nutrition - Training and Career Pathways
Have you ever entertained the idea of achieving a career in holistic health? From the many natural and alternative medicine occupations today, becoming a holistic nutrition consultant could be your key to a personally and professionally rewarding pro...
Learn About Food Nutrition Facts
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used to be almost impossible because of the mountains of facts scattered all about in libraries and books. Lets face it most of us aren't going to cuddle up to a book on vitamins ...
Eating Healthy
In today's fast paced society it's difficult for us not to stop somewhere for a fast meal or a quick refreshment. We often ignore the Nutrition Facts panel on the packaging of the food which we just purchased because most of the time we are driving a...
Natural Pain Relief For Arthritis - Massage Therapy
Unfortunately theres no cure for arthritis and the arthritic changes that arthritis brings to your joints, but you can relieve the pain that accompanies this medical condition.Two treatments which are easy and are worth trying are massage therapy, an...
Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle
Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle can be a large step in maintaining your bodys physical performance and your minds well-being. Proper nutrition is often neglected in this day and age, with most people opting for fast foods convenience and low price....
Healthy Nutrition for Children
When growing up, its important to have healthy nutrition for children. Since their bodies are in a state of constant growth, a lack of vitamins and minerals can result in poor growth processes and problems later in life. It is important for your chil...
Arthritis - Treatment and Pain Relief
One in three adults will suffer from some form of arthritis as they get older. The term "Arthritis"
covers more than a hundred different types of the disease, all causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation in varying degrees.The two most common type...
Nutrition For Natural Stress Relief
Weve all had stress at one point in our life or another. There are some types of stress that are healthy and beneficial to life. Unfortunately, the majority of the stress we encounter in todays world is destructive and may even help to shorten our ...
Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets
There is a lot of hype surrounding apple cider vinegar tablets these days. Many ads can be found promising weight loss and fat burning courtesy of this supplement. Theres even an apple cider vinegar diet in the works! But is all the hearsay true? In ...
