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Common Nutrition Problems

Written by Taft Draper on . Posted in Food Sensitivities, Integrative Medicine.

What Do We Know About Diseases Caused By Nutritional Deficiency?

Americans are no strangers to chronic diseases. The following are or can be common nutrition problems.

  • Obesity and weight loss
  • Hypertension
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Nutrition for pregnancy
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Gastrointestinal problems (such as IBS and IBD)
  • Arthritis/joint pain
  • Food allergies
  • Weight maintenance
  • Athletic performance
  • Disordered eating
  • Dry skin/skin conditions
  • Fatigue
  • High cholesterol
  • High triglycerides
  • Insulin resistance
  • Diabetes
  • PCOS
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Thyroid disease
  • Cardiovascular issues
  • Autoimmune diseases

Many of these can have different root causes. Nutrition can play a huge part in managing or reversing a condition. Practitioners like a Registered Dietitian and Integrative and Functional Nutritionist take a holistic approach that addresses the root causes. Prevention of chronic disease and being proactive with your health includes many things. Addressing environmental and genetic factors with adequate nutritional intakes and lifestyle interventions can be a great place to begin.

What other nutrition interventions are there?

Also, for optimal results, add functional nutrition testing to your nutrition plan. These tests identify any dysfunction or abnormalities in your body. I will explain the benefit of meeting with a nutrition professional. We’ll also explore which conditions are affected by nutrition intervention.

You may already have one or several of the above diseases. Your lab values may be trending towards subclinical. Subclinical means your labs may show a disease is present but not severe enough to show observable symptoms.

Your options for treatment can vary.

No matter what treatment path you decide to take, a good team of professionals is necessary. I work with many physicians. A nutrition expert should be on each physician’s list for referrals. Medical doctors only have so much time to spend with their patients and a comprehensive plan needs more time.

If you are beginning to experience symptoms or labs are fluctuating towards adverse ranges you have other options. You should meet with a registered dietitian (RD) and address the root causes of your condition. 

Root causes may include stress, toxins, adverse food reactions, infections, and nutrition imbalances.

We can improve many of these common nutrition problems with lifestyle modifications. We can help put in place strategies to relax. We can determine and get rid of excess toxins. We can pinpoint food sensitivities and improve your eating habits. The goal is to move you towards a more wholesome whole foods intake.

Changing your eating habits can help you lose weight.

Or, to be more specific, lose fat by providing adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. We also can’t forget adequate fluids. 

Sugar is a carbohydrate and one of the main additives in our food supply that is causing inflammation and weight gain. If you don’t control your sugar or carbohydrate intake your blood sugars will rise to high levels. This can lead to pre-diabetes and eventually full-blown diabetes. A balanced diet along with specific nutriceuticals can help control your blood sugars. Controlling your blood sugars can help manage diabetes or even reverse it.

Prevent illness and disease by curbing other nutrients.

Sodium is an extremely important electrolyte. Sodium benefits brain function helps maintain heart contraction, regulates fluid levels, and provides relief from muscle cramps. Control your intake of high sodium. Eat healthy fats such as avocados. Doing these two things can help lower your blood pressure and lipoproteins, respectively. With any intervention, you should address what works best for your biochemistry and metabolic pathways.

Autoimmune disease is on the rise.

Alessio Fasano is a medical doctor, pediatric gastroenterologist, and researcher. He notes any kind of illness or disease must have

  • the genetic factor
  • a trigger
  • and a leaky gut present

What we consume, inhale, or put on our skin can increase the immune system response. This can lead to inflammation and autoimmune disease. Inflammation can be decreased with an anti-inflammatory diet. Inflammation can also be decreased by identifying your food sensitivities. This can help with GI issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, belching, and abdominal pain.

Nutrition Intervention is key.

All these conditions can be improved with nutrition intervention. To provide the fastest and most comprehensive approach, there are many different functional tests that can be beneficial. you should include functional testing.

Do lab tests help find and treat common nutrition problems?

Labs are advanced these days. They can assist a practitioner in optimizing a precise plan that will get quick results. creating a comprehensive, individualized plan. These labs consist of taking a blood, urine, or stool sample. Even what’s in your stools can tell a lot about your health. 

There are many different lab companies. You have to be careful which one will give you the most accurate results. Functional labs can be a great place to start and can put you on the right path to health. But they are not always necessary. 

Again, any of the conditions listed above can be addressed by modifying lifestyle and diet. Please don’t take for granted the power of nutrition. It has synergistic effects that heal and repair. 

Many functional labs can identify

  • nutrient deficiencies
  • abnormal hormone levels
  • inflammation
  • infections
  • food sensitivities
  • and gut bacteria imbalance. 

They can give you a blueprint in order to create your precise treatment plan and a path to a treatment that works best. From there you can distinguish what needs intervention. In any of the plans diet is essential as well as lifestyle; supplements can be added for additional support. These modalities may prevent and correct your condition and allow you to feel better.

Questions to ask yourself when considering working with an Integrative and Functional Nutritionist?

  • Do you have fatigue, low energy, or trouble concentrating?
  • Do you have trouble losing or maintaining your weight?
  • Are you pregnant or trying to conceive?
  • Do you have dry skin, eczema or urticaria?
  • Do you have anxiety, depression, or brain fog?
  • Do you have muscle and/or joint pain?
  • Do you suffer from indigestion, heartburn, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or other digestive problems?
  • Has your doctor recommended a nutrition consult for nutrition or medical condition?
  • Are you taking more than one prescription medication to treat one or more medical conditions?
  • Are you confused about what diet is best for you?
  • Are you taking nutritional supplements but unsure about the quality, effectiveness, or health benefits?
  • Would you like to improve your health and well-being through diet, nutrition, and a healthier lifestyle?
  • Do you want to improve your stamina and physical performance?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you could benefit from working with a nutritionist.

What can you expect from a nutrition consult?

  • A personalized nutrition analysis that addresses your concerns and chief complaints.
  • A comprehensive assessment that includes an analysis of your current meal plan in addition to a meal and exercise plan.
  • A discussion about what your goals are.
  • Learning which foods will provide optimal health and energy.
  • Menu planning and recipes that are practical for you.
  • Education on supplement use.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A CONSULT NOW.