Why Nutritional Therapy?
Why Seek Nutritional Therapy Today?
Erica Rudesyle NTP
Fueling our bodies with nourishing whole foods is the key to longevity. The modern diet is focused on high palatable foods, yet has poor nutritional qualities. Throughout history, the quality of our food has deteriorated, with technology and industry as a driving force, while disease and health conditions have drastically increased. 1 in 5 Americans have an AutoImmune Disease and 1 in 3 Americans are predicted to have Diabetes before 2050 are only a few alarming statistics that threaten the quality of life for many. While organ dysfunction and disease are on the rise, human genes have been static, leaving only food as the main culprit. Today’s food includes unknown ingredients due to limited regulations here in the US where terms like pesticides, preservatives, natural flavors, genetically modified, and etc are found within the small print of our food labels in favor of the production community rather than our own health community. Poor eating habits lead to inflammation and traditionally, common health symptoms are often treated with a quick and immediate prescription instead of examining the current diet. How do we get out of this health crisis? We rely on professions such as Functional, Holistic Nutritional Therapy Practitioners to share a wealth of knowledge of how using whole nutrient dense foods with appropriate portions of macronutrients that are compacted with vitamins and minerals enhance cell function. NTPs play a vital role in assisting clients in evaluating their nutritional needs to make recommendations for dietary changes in order for their clients to achieve their optimal healthy goals. According to the Nutritional Therapy Association, “There is no one-size-fits all diet that is perfect for everyone, and it’s essential to tailor nutrition to the unique bio-individual needs of every client” (2021). These holistic practitioners, like myself, view each client as having their own unique biochemistry and biodiversity before making recommendations, while working on building a positive rapport to encourage healthy lifestyle changes with an emphasis on whole foods, real food. NTA’s Culinary Wellness explains that “Real food approach is an ethical and conscious omnivorous approach to eating that recognizes the power of pleasure of cooking whole foods from scratch…real food is how our great grandmother’s grandmother's cooked” (2020, pg 15).
As a busy, working mom of three, I took for granted the power of nutrient dense food and deprived my body of minerals and vitamins, while filling my plate with processed, refined carbohydrates, which then lead to inflammation throughout my body. After doctor visits, unnecessary prescriptions prescribed, I found a FNTP who guided and supported me to reverse the ailments without medication. The more people confide with nutritional therapist practitioners, the greater the chance of reversing the disease crisis. Whether you are seeking support for symptoms or want to prevent diseases, working with a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner will not only educate and support you on your health goals, but it will provide a positive influence on your body, your family and your lifestyle. “Eating a properly prepared, nutrient-dense, whole food diet provides the fuel and essential building blocks the body needs to maintain health and balance” (NTA 2021). The only hope as a parent is to be healthy and to live long, which all cannot be done without a whole food, nutrient dense diet lifestyle as a foundation.
