Nutritional Therapy

Following the discovery of vitamin A in 1913 scientists began to realise the important role vitamins play in healthy nutrition. Since that time dietary supplements have become very widespread with the identification of ever more essential vitamins . Vitamins play an vital part in the metabolism of the human body. There are about fifteen vitamins however vitamin B is normally referred to as vitamin B complex, as it is made up of a group of related compounds.

Our bodies are able to synthesise some vitamins from foods produce but others must be obtained in whole from our diet. Vitamins are divided into those which are soluble in fat and those that are soluble in water. The fat-soluble ones are A, D, E and K and can be stored in the body.

The water soluble vitamins, B and C, cannot be stored and therefore must be ingested on an almost daily basis. a further complication is that maybe often lost in the cooking process. If vitamins which can be stored are taken to quantities that are too large they can be harmful and even toxic. In general the body will routinely excrete excess amounts of vitamin B and C.

Nutritional therapy is founded on the idea that deficiencies of different nutrients in the body will generate some malfunctions, including scurvy (lack of vitamin C) and anaemia (which can be lack of B, C or E). The missing or deficient vitamins can be supplied by re-balancing the diet or by taking appropriate vitamin supplements. When we are ill the body needs more nutrients to fight against the sickness and to repair its' cells sufficiently. A nutritional therapist analyses a client's diet, current state of health and general lifestyle. With this information, changes in diet and doses of relevant nutritional supplements will be recommended.

Mega Vitamin Therapy

When employed as remedial nutritional therapy, as opposed to general health purposes, the nutritional supplement doses recommended may be very high. It is not uncommon for doses of 1000mg or more of vitamin C to be recommended to combat disease. This is so even though the amount recommended by authorities for normal daily consumption is only 60 mg. This is known as Mega Vitamin therapy and it is not normally recommended except on the advice of qualified practitioners or doctor. Taking the recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamins and mineral supplements is perfectly safe.

Usually nutritional supplements should be taken regularly over long periods of weeks, months or even years. Having said that, quick and high dose of vitamin C may help to boost the immune system.

By taking a high quality nutritional supplement (multivitamins& minerals) is a sensible means of ensuring you get a balance of nutrients. Supplementing with just one or two vitamins or minerals is not as effective as taking several nutrients simultaneously.

A number of nutrients need to be taken with others to be effective. An example is that vitamin C needs zinc to be effective. The B vitamins should be taken as a complex as there are more than twelve of them and they work best by complementing each other.

Guidelines for Taking Nutritional Supplements

Dietary Therapy - Nutritional Therapy - Vitamins - Minerals