Nutritional therapy is a system of healing based on the belief that food, as nature intended, provides the medicine we need to obtain and maintain a state of health: our food is our medicine and our medicine is our food. Although some health problems require specific medication, many conditions can be relieved effectively with nutritional therapy.

Nutritional therapy is a complementary therapy, which means it can work alongside orthodox medicine. It is a way of using food and supplements to encourage the body’s natural healing. It does this by:

    * Detoxifying the body.
    * Correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
    * Restoring healthy digestion.
    * Developing a positive attitude.

In order to achieve the above goals, a nutritional therapist asks a lot of questions about all aspects of your health and well being including medical history, dietary history, family history, menstrual problems, digestion, energy levels and exercise. This helps the therapist discover if you have any problems such as food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, toxic overload or general nutritional problems. Besides asking questions the therapist might suggest doing tests such as hair mineral analysis, hormone tests or food intolerance tests in order to get a better understanding of your current health status.

When treating a patient the therapist will suggest foods you should eat and foods to be avoided. They may also recommend a specific type of diet. Supplements may be suggested to encourage your body to heal itself.

Nutritionists may use vitamin and mineral supplement as part of their treatment, particularly since these are not made by the body.

You will be given a review date so that your progress can be monitored and if necessary changes can be made to your program  to encourage your body to continue healing.

Another factor nutritional therapist concentrate on is elimination and bowel health. Proper, healthy elimination is necessary for the overall health of the digestive system and to get rid of toxins. One way to maximize healthy elimination is to promote the health providing bacteria that live naturally in the large bowel.  Nutritional therapist may adjust the diet or prescribe supplement to ensure support for these friendly bacteria.

Recommended Book to Read 

Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy (Hardcover)
by L. Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump

Krause's Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy is a classic textbook in the field of nutrition and diet therapy, providing a wealth of information on nutrition basics, nutrition throughout the life cycle, nutrition care, nutrition for health and fitness, and medical nutrition therapy. Always up-to-date with the most current information available, this outstanding resource recognizes the increasing importance of nutrition in achieving and maintaining optimal health and fitness and as a component of complete and effective healthcare. It is universally recognized as an essential text for nutrition and diet therapy students and practicing registered dietitians. It features extensive appendixes, tables, illustrations, figures, and clinical insight boxes that provide practical hands-on information and clinical tools for use throughout a student's education and career.