What does a Nutritionist & Naturopath do?
Nutritionists and Naturopaths are specialists who coach and
educate clients on the benefits of natural approaches to
diet, lifestyle behaviors, nutritional supplements and other
natural modalities that can prevent disease and strengthen
the body, mind, and emotions. We do not focus on symptoms
but look to the whole person as well as the underlying, root
cause of illness preventing optimal health. We look at the
totality of a person's health experiences, respecting the
interconnection between the different systems of the body
and the biochemical individuality of each person.
During your first appointment, we assess your health
history, reasons for the visit, and lifestyle practices. We
then partner with you to customize a plan addressing your
health concerns using natural approaches such as dietary
recommendations, lifestyle behavior changes (sleep, stress,
exercise, etc.), detoxification, supplements, herbs, cleaner
ways of living, better choices for cookware, personal care
and cleaning products, etc. Nutritionists and Naturopaths
also teach ways of living that can contribute to health and
prevent illness such as proper nutrition, sunshine, clean
air, rest, exercise, and more. We emphasize food as a most
powerful tool because diet profoundly prevents disease,
helps the body to heal, and impacts overall health.
How do you choose a Nutritionist?
You should expect a Nutritionist to listen to your
individual concerns and consider your lifestyle, tastes and
preferences. Your consultant should be experienced in
working with people with similar concerns to yours. A plan
should be customized for you, based on the best
scientifically sound health information (not on the diet
book of the month) and be realistic and sustainable.
Which types of issues are best addressed by a
Nutritionist & Naturopath?
Reasons for consulting a Nutritionists and Naturopaths range
from optimizing health to addressing current health
concerns. Many come with chronic conditions and symptoms for
which conventional medicine did not offer a satisfactory
cause or treatment. Chronic illness is largely preventable
and, in many cases, reversible.
Principles of Naturopathy
The practice of naturopathy is based on six key principles:
- Promote the healing power of the body
- First do no harm. Naturopaths choose therapies with the
intent of keeping harmful side effects to a minimum and
suppressing symptoms.
- Treat the whole person. Practitioners believe a
person's health is affected by many factors, such as
physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and
social ones. Practitioners consider all these factors when
choosing therapies and tailor treatment to each client.
- Treat the cause. Practitioners seek to identify and
treat the causes of a disease or condition, rather than
its symptoms. They believe that symptoms are signs that
the body is trying to fight disease, adapt to it, or
recover from it
- Prevention is the best cure. Practitioners teach ways
of living that they consider most healthy and most likely
to prevent illness.
- The Practitioner is a teacher. Practitioners consider
it important to educate their clients in taking
responsibility for their own health.
Naturopathic Consultants
Naturopathy is a form of alternative health that employs a
wide array of practices considered "natural,"
"non-invasive," or promoting "self-healing." Naturopaths
emphasize educating the client in natural approaches to a
healthy lifestyle, strengthening and cleansing the body, and
noninvasive solutions. Prescription drugs, x-rays, and
surgery are several of the practices that traditional
naturopaths do not use.
Number of Appointments
When you decide to work with a natural health professional,
it's important to
understand that you are making a commitment to your health.
The length of time needed depends on your current health and
long-term wellness goals. Disease states do not develop in a
matter of days, and repair is the same. Sustained change is
the goal, so plan to invest an appropriate amount of time in
your journey. You may need a few appointments closer
together while you're learning new choices and adjusting to
a different way of life. As your health improves and you
gain confidence in your daily decisions, you'll likely be
able to spread your appointments over the year for periodic
check-ins and support.
Qualification and Training
Nutritionists and Naturopaths are qualified to address
natural approaches to your health needs but are not
qualified to make medical diagnoses or provide medical care.
Training for nutritional consultants include the study of
physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry and
nutrition. Holistic nutrition further includes training in
areas such as digestion; nutritional approaches to diseases;
biochemical individuality; food, vitamins, drugs, and herbal
interactions; clinical nutrition; community nutrition; and
integrated weight management approaches. Naturopaths
additionally study various natural modalities such as
herbology.
Informed Foundational Care
We focus on foundational care and engage our clients as
active participants in their health and recovery (instead of
passive recipients, relying on medication to keep illness at
bay). We help them understand why their body is struggling
and how to support it, which leads to better outcomes and
long-term health.
Natural Practitioners Do Not Replace Doctors
Nutritionists and Naturopaths do not practice medicine or
emergency medical treatments. We do not diagnose, prescribe,
treat, administer, cure, heal or otherwise perform a duty
that is reserved for those who are licensed to do so. We do
not reject doctors and modern medicine.
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