Nutritional counseling is a foundational principle of our practice. We believe that food is medicine. That’s because we know what a powerful effect the foods we eat can have on our body, mind, and life.

Many patients are surprised to find just how many diseases are caused by dietary problems and not just the ones that you’d expect! We hear a lot about how diabetes is linked to diet, among other things. Heart disease, which causes the deaths of over 600,000 Americans each year, is also commonly prevented and treated with diet and exercise. But nutritional therapy can treat many more problems than just diabeters or heart disease. In fact, according to Dr. Linus Pauling, a winner of two Nobel Prizes, “You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency.”

Common Nutrition Challenges in the Standard American Diet

A diet that supports wellness and prevents disease is about more than trimming fat. It requires a close understanding of your specific body: what it lacks and what it has too much of. Nutritional problems are rampant in our society. For example…

  • There are reported widespread deficiencies in Vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as calcium and iron.
  • Nearly 68% of Americans are deficient in magnesium.
  • The vast majority of Americans are lacking important trace minerals such as zinc and selenium.

In addition, many people experience undiagnosed delayed onset food allergies, including gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. Gut health can also be affected by intestinal yeast overgrowth, or dysbiosis. Many Americans also experience insulin resistance, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and lowered metabolism rates. All of these problems are directly caused by our diet.

Identifying Sensitivities and Allergies

Many adults experience chronic problems related to inflammation, from arthritis to IBS. That’s why an important part of our workup for new patients is identifying dietary triggers of inflammation. This may involve lab tests as well as an elimination diet. Identifying food allergies and adjusting accordingly allows the body to function free of negative toxins, absorb the nutrients it needs from healthy food, and restore nutritional balance.

Recognizing Nutritional Deficiencies

In a modern society where food is always readily available, it’s hard to believe that so many could be suffering from malnutrition. It’s more common than you may think. Numerous diseases are associated with nutritional deficiencies, from dementia to congestive heart disease. Even those with a balanced, plant-rich diet could lack vital nutrients. This is because the very soil that we grow our plants in is already depleted of nutrients. Additionally, high stress can cause vitamin deficiencies in the body, even when we’re eating just as we should.

After identifying vitamin and mineral deficiencies in our patients, we usually offer a modified diet plan, along with a regime of nutritional supplements designed for optimal nutritional support and absorption in your body.

We’re Dedicated to Empowering Ongoing Wellness and Disease Resistance

We understand that with all the fad diets out there, and with all the information about “good” and “bad” food seemingly changing from day to day, it can be incredibly difficult to identify trouble spots in your own diet. We take a personalized approach, with comprehensive screening that helps you see where deficiencies lie and what you can do to correct them.

Regaining health and overcoming disease requires an understanding of the body as a whole, taking into account the power of consciousness, emotional health, and the body’s own wisdom. Contact us to learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation for yourself or a loved one.