Not many people know that one of the major areas of specialization of Doctors of Chiropractic is Nutrition.
Nutrition is a core curriculum in Chiropractic education and takes one year to complete. Chiropractors are licensed by the state board to advise on nutrition and vitamin and supplement therapy.
Chiropractors are better educated and trained in nutrition than most medical practitioners. Nutrition is not a required subject in Medical School. Medical doctors, for example, do not study nutrition unless they take it as an elective. Majority of Oncologists do not study nutrition nor do they know the healing power of vitamins. Yet they are the first to prescribe vitamins and supplements and judge their effectiveness or dangerous effects.
In the course of their education, chiropractors study all the building blocks of the body – from cells, to tissues to organs – and the important roles food and nutrition play in the person’s overall health.
A two-year certified nutritionist has not studied all the nutrition-related subjects a chiropractor has. Neither have most four-year certified nutritionists. These nutritionists’ training are inclined to mainstream medical. They are not as holistic as a chiropractor’s training.
In chiropractic care, optimal nutrition is taught and practiced in conjunction with the application of chiropractic therapy. The approach, which combines the effective chiropractic treatment techniques, proper nutrition, and healthy lifestyle, is seen to bring the best results to the patient.
Nutrition Tips
As part of their holistic healthcare, the Doctors of Chiropractic through the American Chiropractic Association urge patients to observe the following prevention health care and wellness advice:
- On Lifestyle Change:
- Do physical exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes three times a week.
- Eat out less often to avoid high amounts of unwanted fats and sugar.
- Control your food’s fat and sugar content by preparing them.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol and smoking hinder the absorption of nutrients in your body.
- On Dietary Changes
- Try eating more raw rather than cooked or canned food.
- Choose organic food when possible.
- Take regular amount s of fiber through the food you eat. 25 to 30 grams is recommended.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day and avoid coffee, tea and soft drinks.
- Go for good vegetarian diet. It can prevent heart disease and other diseases, even cancer.
- On Vitamins and Supplements:
- Have your iron and B12 levels checked at least once a year.
- Dietary supplements should not be considered as substitutes for foods.
- Supplements when taken properly can greatly help to achieve optimum health.
- With nutritional supplements, consume dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds and oils. They are good sources of many vitamins and minerals, magnesium, and fatty acids.
Consult a health care practitioner on nutritional health concerns and to determine the best dietary supplements for you. You should, all the more, seek professional help from a health care provider who specializes in nutrition if you have symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headaches or heart problems. Chiropractors are among the best-educated and trained health care providers in nutrition.