We are what we eat

The previous statement says it all.  When I attended conventional medical school several years ago, I was amazed that so little attention was given to nutrition.  We had a class in clinical biochemistry which discussed the role of vitamins and that was considered a groundbreaking event in the curriculum.  Now, many conventional medical schools are offering elective classes in nutrition science. Naturopathic medical schools place a major emphasis on nutrition and biochemistry in their curriculum.

            Naturopathic treatment focuses heavily on a person’s nutrition.   It is a major part of the initial intake of a new patient, and it is an aspect of care from the onset.  Chances are you will be asked to keep a diet diary in additional to listing the typical daily intake of foodstuffs on the intake form.

My belief is that the average person is literally poisoning him/herself daily by their food.  Many people eat with their eyes, and they consider, above all, that food is a reward or pleasure principle.  If it looks good or tastes delicious, there is never a question about whether it is actually nourishing or whether it is the fuel that they need to power their engine.

Few people know what kinds of food to put in their bodies or that many health problems are directly related to poor nutrition.  So sick people end up in pain or with some dysfunction at the doctor’s office, and they are totally unaware that part of their problem is that they are not eating the right food for their body.

“But I eat fresh foods and I spend a lot of money on it too!”

Did you know that a carrot grown in 2002 has about a seventh of the beta-carotene as a carrot grown in 1950?  The chemical fertilizers, pesticides and the mineral deficient soil create a carrot that is severely lacking in nutrition.  Furthermore, carrots will actually leach soil contaminants out of the soil better than any other process.   (YIKES!)  An inorganic carrot may actually be an especially bad food choice.

But suppose you eat all organic?  Even if you are spending a lot of money on fresh foods, you may not be eating organic foods.  Actually, you should be eating organic whenever possible because the toxic load which people experience from their food is mainly from the additives and chemicals that were used in growing and processing the food.  So the problem is not only getting the right food but also making sure that the food you eat will serve your body and health.  Consider that even if you are spending a lot of money to eat in better restaurants, organic fresh foods may not have been the starting ingredients.  So money does not always indicate quality, it merely indicates the cost.

As a naturopathic medical student, I spend much time in school and clinical training learning the role of good nutrition in health and poor nutrition in disease.   I also understand the role of proper supplementation.  Sometimes, the patient’s vitamin regimen was actually doing more harm than good.  So your response could be, “ I don’t supplement, I just get my vitamins from my food”.  If your 2002 organic carrot lacks the proper vitamins and minerals, perhaps you would be advised to seek professional advice on supplementation options.  This will prevent inappropriate supplementation.

Other issues associated with nutrition are more overt.  If you are sluggish after eating a big meal, you may need to be tested for sugar metabolism problems.  Consider that the leading cause of death in this country is cardiovascular disease.  The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease are based in lifestyle choices, and a caring physician can provide helpful advice to redirect the progression of the disease. 

Are we just talking about dieting here?

Yes and no.  Dieting in this country has resulted from a desire for people to look a certain way.  The main focus has been cosmetic outcomes.  The focus we take on nutrition may in fact result in normalizing your body weight to what is appropriate.  The cosmetic effect is merely a consequence, not the goal.

There are all kinds of diet books.  The nutriceutical market share in this country is rapidly surpassing the prescription drug sales.  People are interested in diet and food, but I don’t think many have a good handle on nutrition.  Each person has a unique body and their biochemical pathways function in difference manners too.  “Off the rack medical care” ignores the nutrition issue entirely, so perhaps you would do well to seek the advice of a doctor who has some expertise in the field.  Everyone’s health can be improved and what we eat is a good place to start.  We are what we eat so make sure you like what you are.

Many people have issues surrounding food.  There are some that actually have disease processes in place because the attention on food is inappropriate.  I educate and empower the patient in a good way to promote proper nutrition, reduce the disease associated with poor nutrition, and promote improved health and vitality.

“OK. I eat organic.

I take my vitamins.

Is there anything else I need to know?”

Yes!  There are many supplements that promote good health, and they are not vitamins.  Sometimes, you cannot consume enough good organic food to get the concentration you need to impact your body.  As I stated in the botanical medicine section of this website, naturopathic medicine uses many supplements to enhance the function of biochemical pathways in the body.  Food and vitamins are only a few of the things in my black bag.   I have a whole regimen of supplements that are unique in the treatment of medical conditions.  They are not drugs; they are not vitamins, and they are more than botanicals or minerals.  These supplements are derived from an in depth understanding of biochemical pathways.  This knowledge, coupled with modern synthetic methods, provide information to synthesize products that direct metabolism toward improving one’s health.  I determine which supplements are indicated based on taking a complete nutritional history in the context of your health.  I order lab testing which provides markers of lesions within the metabolic pathways in your body.  Based on all of this information, I prescribe those supplements that will improve your current health and prevent future illnesses.  Going a step further, that information is then applied to the formulation of the precise supplements that are right for you.  The cost of these specially compounded vitamins is comparable to over the counter brands.

As a naturopathic medical doctor, I have many options in providing exquisite medical treatment in the area of nutrition.  My use of this modality far exceeds the superficial inquiry into what you eat from day to day.  I examine your nutritional status; I order diagnostic testing, and then I synthesize this information into a comprehensive treatment plan that is right for you.  This approach takes the “guess work” out of what to eat and what to take, and what you need.  The outcome has a lasting impact on the quality and quantity of your life.  You can make choices that are right for you based on naturopathic nutritional care from me.