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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.

Article Source: Ezine Article
URL: Nutrition Therapy – When It Is Used and How It Works

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