CLINICAL NUTRITION
What's the difference between "Clinical Nutrition" and diet counseling? Clinical nutrition is the use of the most current, scientifically validated research to make specific food and supplement recommendations based on a patient's specific health and disease history. Clinical nutrition consultations should be done by a certified physician who thoroughly understands the research and the patient's diagnosis.
Diet counseling can be useful for more general inquiries. For example: "What's a good healthy diet at my age?" or "How do I optimize my workouts at the gym?" A diet counselor will advise you as to the best food choices for your age, weight/height, level of activity, and general state of health.
As an example, let's consider high blood pressure. A diet counselor can advise you as to what foods may aggravate your high blood pressure and what foods may help control it. A Clinical Nutritionist will also make supplement recommendations taking into consideration your other health issues (for example, you may also have high cholesterol or maybe hardening of the arteries), the medications you are currently taking, exactly how high your blood pressure is, and how your blood pressure fluctuates.
General dietary recommendations for controlling high blood pressure include eliminating caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, minimizing red meat, saturated fats and sodium, and increasing cold water fish, vegetable, fruit whole grain, potassium, and water consumption. But there are also lots of supplements and herbs that are said to help lower blood pressure. How do you choose? How do you know what's right for you and how much is enough?
These are the kind of questions answered by clinical nutrition studies. For example, Co-enzyme Q-10 is an excellent cardiovascular tonic. It improves the "output" of the heart, may help inhibit "hardening" of the arteries, and helps to lower blood pressure. CoQ10 levels may be lowered in the body by certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and phenothiazines. It is an excellent supplement for people at risk for cardiovascular disease, but perhaps not for diabetics. Some research shows CoQ10 to lower fasting blood sugar levels, particularly in type II diabetics. However, some endocrinologists at Toronto's Mt. Sinai Hospital feel Co-Q10 may interfere with insulin levels. For a type I diabetic patient with cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, we might alternatively suggest taurine, an amino acid that also strengthens cardiac output, along with an herb such as Crataegus to lower blood pressure.
Who practices Clinical Nutrition? Most Naturopathic Doctors will offer Clinical Nutrition as part of their practice and many, including myself, will specialize in it. I use clinical nutrition along with therapies such as acupuncture or homeopathy to address both the physical and energetic aspects of a patient's health and illness. My patients get more comprehensive, longer lasting results with this multi-faceted approach.
What conditions can be treated with Clinical Nutrition? Physical issues such as allergies, skin rashes, digestive problems, gynecological and fertility issues, and chronic conditions such as cancer, HIV, and cardiovascular disease all respond very well to Clinical Nutrition recommendations. Mental-emotional issues such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia also respond extremely well with Clinical Nutrition.
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Email: Redhawk Healing Arts reception
3315 1/2 Yonge Street Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
See our Privacy Policy
Photos and Design by Fluffco Many Media Design