When to Seek Nutrition Therapy

Our bodies can do some amazing things, but some unfortunate things can happen to our bodies as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic conditions affect as many as six in ten adults in the U.S. Furthermore, the CDC states that chronic conditions are the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. and take up much of the money spent on health care. 

Without specialized treatment that enhances your body’s ability to regulate itself, a chronic condition can get worse or cause complications that affect your daily life. To help you thrive, the medical and psychiatric experts at Alpha Care Medical in Seaford, Millsboro, Harrington, and Dover, Delaware, offer nutrition therapy. In this blog, they explain what it is and how it can help you.

What is nutrition therapy? 

Nutrition therapy is not new. Most of the Western world credits Hippocrates, the Ancient Greek physician, with establishing the link between food and overall health. However, despite this well-established link, the average American rarely takes into consideration how important eating right is to living well.

Nutrition therapy helps treat chronic conditions by adding and removing foods with the goal of helping the body regulate its systems in a wholesome and productive way. Each nutrition therapy program is customized, taking into consideration the patient’s health challenges and unique body issues.

To analyze your current status and design your nutritional therapy program, your provider will perform a thorough consultation and order any necessary tests. Among other things, your provider will consider your: 

• Personal medical history
• Family’s medical history
• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Exercise you consistently perform
• Daily routine
• Most common stressors

Your provider will then design a nutrition plan and recommend an exercise regimen to help your body function optimally and combat symptoms of any chronic conditions.

When should I seek nutrition therapy?

While nutrition therapy is a good option for any person, there are certain individuals for whom nutrition therapy can make a significant difference in their quality of life and overall health. 

Recovering from addiction

Whether you’re recovering from addiction to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or another controlled substance, the process of breaking your dependency can be very challenging. Nutrition therapy can help your body get the vital nutrients it needs during this process. 

Recovering from injury

No matter how minor an injury may be, your body needs the right fuel to heal quickly and correctly. Just as important as making sure that a wound is cleaned well or that a bone is set properly, your body needs critical nutrients to assist in the regeneration of skin and bone cells.

Living with diabetes

The number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, with about 30 million people in the U.S. affected by the disease. When living with diabetes, being conscientious of what you eat is a must. Your provider will work with you to create a filling, low-carb diet that will be as much a part of your diabetes management program as the medications you take to control your blood sugar.

Seeking a healthier lifestyle

Anyone can be helped by nutrition therapy, even people who don’t have a disease or condition. Otherwise healthy people with fast-paced lifestyles often find their diets aren’t as healthy as they would like. If you don’t have a chronic condition but want to improve your overall health, nutrition therapy can give you the boost you need.

What can nutrition therapy do for me?

Many people don’t realize the benefits of a customized nutrition plan. A healthy diet and exercise plan can lower your risk of developing certain illnesses, boost your energy, improve your mood, help you get better sleep, and more.

To learn more about how nutrition therapy can help you, call 800-818-8680 to book an appointment with Alpha Care Medical today.