Holistic nutrition is:
Health oriented
Patient-centered
Cost effective
Focused on root causes of illness and dysfunction
Preventative
Specific to each person according to their biochemical individuality and health status
Common categories addressed by holistic nutrition include but are not limited to:
Nutritional imbalances
Endocrine/hormone imbalances
Liver and kidney support/restoration
Intestinal dysfunction
Impaired digestion
Immune/inflammatory imbalances
Oxidative stress/aging
Common health conditions that benefit from holistic nutrition services:
Weight Loss: Excess weight is often due to an imbalance of hormones, a stressed and inflamed immune system, and a weakened liver. Moderating exercise while focusing on providing nutrient-rich foods and supplements to support weakened organs will result in a successful restoration of health, including reaching a healthy weight.
Metabolic syndrome/ prediabetes: These conditions are wake-up calls to some people who do not want to develop diabetes or sustain a heart attack or stroke. But according to their doctor, people with these conditions are given one medication for high blood pressure, another one for high cholesterol, one for high blood sugar, and are put on a restrictive, low-calorie diet. Holistic nutrition approaches these lifestyle conditions in a more health-promoting manner. By focusing on providing all of the nutrients the body needs to restore functionality and eliminate lifestyle factors that are contributing to the health concerns.
Food Allergies: Unknown food allergies can be directly and indirectly associated with countless other health concerns such as headaches, sinusitis, gastrointestinal distress, malaise, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), systemic inflammation, high cholesterol, arthritis, and depression. Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s also often occur in individuals with gluten allergies.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Assessing digestive function, food sensitivities, and possible fungal/parasitic/bacterial infections are very important with IBS. Often dysbiosis (an imbalance of intestinal flora) is associated with IBS. Correcting the cause of the dysbiosis, supporting with probiotics and gastrointestinal lining supportive nutrients will relieve symptoms.
Migraine headaches: A hormone imbalance, food sensitivities or high stress levels can often be associated with migraines. Herbal remedies, a low sugar diet, and liver support may work to relieve the origin of the headache.
Arthritis: Exercise additions/modifications, food sensitivity testing, and improved digestive function can often relieve arthritis. Nutrients to rebuild cartilage, a metabolic cleansing regimen, and an alkalizing diet to remove calcium build-up in joints will be addressed by the holistic nutrition approach.
Depression/apathy: Nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and food allergies, are often correlated with depression. Supportive supplementation, dietary modifications, and an exercise routine will foster psychological stabilization.
What can you expect?
You have the primary role in your lifestyle wellness. I will provide information, guidance, and support, but ultimately the power to change resides in you. This will include making sustainable, long-term changes to the way you eat, feel, and experience life. Some of the changes include eating new foods, preparing your foods differently, taking supportive supplements, exercising, removing toxic chemicals from your home and your foods, detoxifying your body, and working to reduce your stress through meditation or massage therapy. The benefits you feel will motivate you to continue participating in this process.
To discover specifically what ails you and to look for any clues that can be helpful to improving your health, I might recommend doing some lab tests. Common lab tests may include:
Stool testing for digestive function and microbe analysis
Blood testing for vitamin status or food allergies and sensitivities
Urine testing for intestinal permeability (Leaky Gut Syndrome)
Hair analysis for mineral levels
Saliva testing for hormone status
Urine or blood testing for amino acid levels
The basic functional nutrition approach considers elements in your life that negatively affect your health and works towards correcting those imbalances and restoring proper function. This can be achieved through the 5-R approach, a multi-dimensional program designed to support your body’s weakened functionality.
The 5-R approach:
Remove: eliminate anything in your life that causes inflammation and does not promote GI health.
Reinnoculate: use beneficial probiotics to repel harmful microorganisms and promote increased immunity, digestion, and balance blood sugars.
Rebuild: rebuild barrier defenses, secretory IgA, and mucosal lining with specific nutrients and herbs.
Replace: supplement the diet and restore nutrient imbalances and increase digestive function through the use of bitters or HCL.
Repair: nutritional support to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to correct imbalances and repair a damaged intestinal wall.
Take charge of your health! Call or email Katherine to schedule a free phone consultation today.
(858) 522-0640
