Tuesday, June 9, 2015

A Nutritionist Can Help With Many Ailments

By Elaine Guthrie


Have you ever considered seeking help with your diet? Maybe you struggle to keep your weight down or have a diet related health issue. These are obvious reasons to seek dietary advice but most of us could benefit from the help of a nutritionist. In Des Moines IA there are people who can help with a vast array of illnesses caused by bad diet.

As our understanding of the human body has developed scientists have realized that our food can be an underlying cause of many health problems. It is after all our fuel and we all know what happens if you put diesel into a petrol car. The body is a complicated mechanism and our food contains an array of nutrients which are used in countless ways for all the functions our bodies carry out.

The most obvious things a nutrition advisor does are test for food intolerance and allergies. These occur in more and more people and can be life threatening in the short term and also cause chronic disease in the long term. Simple tests can show if there is something which is irritating your body and causing discomfort or pain.

People with a health problem which their regular doctor cannot sort out should consider seeing a nutrition adviser. There are such a variety of illnesses associated with eating that it is impossible to list them here. A lack of just one type of mineral or vitamin can cause all kinds of problem. Let's take magnesium as an example. It is used by the body in over three hundred different ways. Some of the most common problems associated with low levels are mood disorders, muscle cramps and insomnia to name just a few.

Health professionals can also look at how your body is digesting food. An inefficient digestive system can cause all sorts of problems such as bloating, flatulence and acid reflux. Also if food is not absorbed correctly then the nutrients cannot be used. Good digestion is vital to optimum health.

Sometimes we are eating the correct foods just in the wrong proportions or combinations. Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day is standard advice and it is important to follow it. However, eating fruit on its own can cause fast increases in blood sugar levels which is usually followed by a crash. This can be avoided by eating something which is slowly digested at the same time, such as nuts.

If you do need to try a new diet then regular visits to a nutrition specialist after can help to maintain the new program. Sticking to diets is difficult, it requires developing new habits and this takes time. A professional can advise how to keep motivated and avoid slipping back into old habits. It is not just a matter of willpower there are many techniques available to empower you to make the changes.

Seeking help with your diet is not just something for the overweight. Food and good health are inextricably linked. Having your food habits analysed can be beneficial in helping with many ailments and diseases. Sticking to good habits is easier with help too, we all find it difficult to change our ways.




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