From the moment of conception to the moment we die, our body needs a constant supply of fuel. Your body was designed to function on proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals obtained through food. Your cells, tissues and organs all require these specific nutrients to perform their function. These should come from the diet. If we do not get an adequate supply of nutrients from our diet, we can become deficient. The long-term effects of nutrient deficiencies are what we commonly refer to as chronic degenerative disease.
Clinical nutrition identifies weak areas in the diet and foods that might be aggravating your heath condition. Nutrient deficiencies can be tested using functional lab testing. By replenishing nutrients that have become deficient in the body, we essentially give the body the tools it needs to repair itself. A proper diet should therefore form the basis for all forms of treatment, natural or otherwise.
“Without proper diet medicine is of no use, with proper diet there is no use for medicine” – Ayurveda
Holistic nutrition recognizes that you are unique in your dietary needs. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that suits everyone. By evaluating your current diet, together with your personal constitution and health challenges, a personalized dietary road map can be created; steering you toward improved health and restored vitality.
The Difference Between a Therapeutic Diet and a Constitutional Diet
A therapeutic diet is a short-term diet that is implemented to achieve specific goals. It is usually recommended to address specific health conditions (for example candida, IBS, heart disease, etc.). It can be restrictive and usually omits certain foods. These might be foods that are hidden allergies or sensitivities, foods that are causing inflammation in your body, or foods that are feeding that are feeding pathogens like candida, parasites and certain types of harmful bacteria.
A constitutional diet is a long-term diet that is suited to your unique biology and make-up (i.e. your ‘constitution’). In other words, it is your ideal default diet. Holistic nutrition respects and acknowledges that each person has their own bio-individuality and dietary needs. As such we do not advocate any one way of eating for everyone. Some people do very well (long term) on a vegetarian diet while others thrive on a Paleo-type diet.
It is important to be open-minded about food otherwise we end up eating our opinions instead of what our body really needs
A therapeutic diet usually precedes a constitutional diet. Once we have achieved your short-term goals and resolved specific health issues; your constitutional diet will be implemented. Many people feel so good on a therapeutic diet that they adopt this as their long-term constitutional diet (for example a high-fat-low-carb (HFLC) diet, ketogenic diet, autoimmune diet, etc.)