Clinical nutrition is a specialized field focusing on diet and nutrition to promote health and prevent and manage diseases. Clinical nutritionists have advanced training in biochemistry, physiology, and pathology, which allows them to develop personalized nutrition plans for individuals with a variety of health conditions.
A clinical nutrition approach to health takes a root cause approach, focusing on identifying and eliminating the underlying factors contributing to chronic diseases. This approach is in contrast to the traditional medical approach, which often focuses on treating the symptoms of diseases rather than the root cause.
What is Clinical Nutrition and What Are the Benefits?
There are many benefits to a clinical nutrition approach to health, including:
- Improved overall health and well-being. Eating a healthy diet can help to improve energy levels, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and support healthy weight management.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases. A clinical nutrition approach can help to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
- Improved management of chronic diseases. For individuals who already have chronic diseases, a clinical nutrition approach can help to improve symptoms, manage blood sugar levels, and reduce the need for medication.
- Faster recovery from illness and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet can help to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.
Clinical Nutrition at Every Age
A clinical nutritional approach to health can benefit individuals of all ages, from infants to seniors.
Children and adolescents: A clinical nutritionist can help children and adolescents develop healthy eating habits and meet their nutritional needs during this critical period of growth and development. They can also guide the management of chronic diseases such as asthma, food allergies, and type 1 diabetes.
Adults: A clinical nutritionist can help adults maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of chronic diseases, and manage existing chronic diseases. They can also provide guidance on specific nutritional needs during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.
Seniors: A clinical nutritionist can help seniors to maintain a healthy weight, prevent malnutrition, and manage chronic diseases. They can also provide guidance on how to adapt to changes in appetite and taste that are common with aging.
Clinical Nutrition for a Longer, Healthier Life
This approach to health can benefit individuals trying to live a healthier life for longer.
Chronic disease prevention: A clinical nutritionist can help individuals identify and reduce their risk factors for chronic diseases. This may include improving their diet, increasing physical activity, and managing stress.
Chronic disease management: For individuals who already have chronic diseases, a clinical nutritionist can help them manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This may involve developing a personalized diet plan, providing guidance on supplements, and educating them about the latest research on nutrition and chronic disease.
Healthy aging: A clinical nutritionist can help seniors to maintain a healthy weight, prevent malnutrition, and stay active. Therefore, they can also guide how to eat for specific health concerns such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and cognitive decline.
Clinical Nutritionist vs. Standard Nutritionist
Clinical nutritionists have advanced training in biochemistry, physiology, and pathology, which allows them to develop personalized nutrition plans for individuals with a variety of health conditions. They are trained to work with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and modality experts, to provide comprehensive care.
Standard nutritionists, on the other hand, may need a graduate-level degree in biochemistry, physiology, and pathology. They may also need to become more familiar with working with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
Clinical Nutrition and Integrative Medicine
Clinical nutrition is well-aligned with the integrative medicine approach to healthcare. Integrative medicine combines conventional medical treatments with complementary and alternative medicine therapies to provide a holistic approach to healing.
Clinical nutritionists play an important role in integrative medicine teams by providing personalized nutrition plans that can help to improve the overall health and well-being of patients.
Integrating Clinical Nutrition for a Healthier, Longer Life
A clinical nutrition approach to health can be a powerful tool for improving your overall health and well-being, reducing your risk of chronic diseases, and managing chronic diseases more effectively. If you want to work with a clinical nutritionist, talk to your doctor or search online for a qualified practitioner.
Tips for Finding a Qualified Clinical Nutritionist
Here are some tips for finding a qualified clinical nutritionist:
- Ask your doctor for a referral.
- Search for a clinical nutritionist certified by a reputable organization such as the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS).
- Read online reviews of clinical nutritionists in your area.
Nour Amri is a Licensed Integrative Nutritionist, a Certified Nutrition Specialist, and a Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist. She earned her Master’s degree from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She also received her certification for mind-body medicine facilitation from Georgetown University School of Medicine. In her approach, Nour applies the principles of Integrative and Functional Nutrition, which emphasize healthy eating personalized to the client’s genetics, environment, lifestyle, and health concerns.