Thursday, September 5, 2013

Food Plague

Food Plague, by Arden Andersen, DO, MSPH, PHD

"There are many topics to cover regarding health, food quality, and longevity.  Fundamentally, the most important aspect is nutrition: specifically, what vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, fatty acids, antioxidants and phytonutrients will the food provide.  Unfortunately most people, especially doctors turn to dieticians for "nutritional" information and advice.  Dieticians are trained in the art of fats, proteins and carbohydrates: balancing energy, following the USDA contrived food pyramid, which only guarantees the sale of more junk agricultural commodities and perpetuation of human suffering and disease.  

Hospital dietary plans are a good example of what not to eat.  NUTRITION is what needs to be addressed: specifically, that which is contained in the food coming of the farm.  Everything else is secondary to the nutrient value of the food because the body's ability to function properly, fully in a healthy state is determined by what nutrition is taken in by the body.  Certainly there are concerns for pesticide and chemical residues, toxic metals, and pathogens: however the body's ability to deal with these assaults is entirely determined by the comprehensiveness by the of the nutrition taken in via the food and supplementation."

This is an amazing book!  I share this excerpt to point out the difference between dieticians and Clinical Nutritionists (i.e. Me! ) .  I don't believe all dieticians are horrible, I just know from experience and education our backgrounds typically are very different. 

As a Clinical Nutritionist with a Master's degree I am trained in biochemistry, cellular biology and metabolic pathways.  I also have much education in exercise science, psychology and brain chemistry.  I point this out not to toot my own horn but to differentiate the care one receives from different professionals.  I work with my clients on a personal and individual level not only with calories and macronutrient (proteins, carbs, fats) recommendations, but with micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fatty acids), metabolic distubances (food allergies, detoxification, etc.) and behavioral and emotional aspects of eating.

Chapter 1.
" Our bodies are complex organisms, electrical in nature, consisting of trillions of cells made up of at least eighty different minerals, thousands of different proteins, fatty acids, organic acids, lipids, sugars and of course water.  Our cells undergo billions (yes billions with a "b") atomic and molecular reactions every second.  The efficiency and effectiveness of these reactions depend upon the adequacy and balance of all the nutrients involved, directly and indirectly.  One missing or inadequately supplied nutrient disrupts the entire metabolic factory or worst case, can shut down entire metabolic pathway."

This is exactly true and is why I have invested my time, energy and money to study Functional Medicine.  Metabolic testing for nutrients, allergies, detoxification, etc. is the way we will truly be able to manifest vibrant health.  WE now have the possibility at looking at our own individual nutrient needs.  Let's test... NOT Guess!    

I am so excited to offer Nutrition Based Health Care through cutting edge research.  We can feel and look our best when we give the body what it needs and remove what is inhibiting optimal function.  Let's get it done today!


No comments: