Diet/Nutrition

Patients who follow the advice of certified chiropractic nutritional specialists may notice numerous health benefits, including increased energy and vitality, decreased blood pressure and resting heart rate, fewer mood swings, healthier skin and improved cognition.

Many chiropractors advocate a healthy diet rich in nutrient-dense foods. According to the American Chiropractic Association Council on Nutrition, nutritional counseling is an important aspect of chiropractic care. One of the basic tenets of chiropractic philosophy is that, if your body is balanced — both structurally and nutritionally — it can self-correct numerous health problems. Many chiropractors perform nutritional counseling to help their patients achieve optimal health and wellness.

Chiropractors have been offering patients nutritional advice since the profession began in 1895. Although there is no one standard diet advocated by all chiropractors, there is a collective belief among practitioners that nutrition is an important part of achieving sound health. According to the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition, some chiropractors choose to pursue post-graduate studies in nutrition, earning a diplomate in clinical nutrition. This specialty indicates that a chiropractor has advanced training in nutritional principles as they apply to treating illness and disease.

Because of the great diversity of practice styles and techniques that exist among chiropractors, it is no surprise that nutritional advice varies from doctor to doctor. Some chiropractors advocate vegetarianism while others advocated diets that are high in saturated fats and animal protein. Still other chiropractors draw on other health traditions, such as Ayurvedic medicine, counseling patients to consume diets that are aligned with their particular body constitution.

In most cases, chiropractors will work with you to determine a diet that’s most suited to your tastes and your work schedule. Many chiropractors will counsel you to purchase and consume organic and whole foods that have been grown locally or in a sustainable manner. Many chiropractors will also promote increased consumption of vegetables and healthy snacks, along with a drastic reduction in the amount of processed, refined and polished foods you consume. Avoiding refined sugar and products that contain high-fructose corn syrup can make a significant difference in your health.

The benefits of a healthy diet are manifold. Patients who follow the advice of certified chiropractic nutritional specialists may notice numerous health benefits, including increased energy and vitality, decreased blood pressure and resting heart rate, fewer mood swings, healthier skin and improved cognition. According to the National Institute on Aging, or NIA, consuming a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains that is low in sugar can reduce your likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some types of cancer.

Although certain principles regarding a healthy diet are seemingly universal, it is important to understand that not everybody will thrive on the same diet. For maximum health benefits, diets should be sustainable and tailored to your individual body chemistry and make-up. MayoClinic.com notes that dietary recommendations for some people, especially people with chronic diseases and other health problems, may be different from the advice given to normal, healthy individuals. For dietary advice, consider visiting a chiropractor who specializes in clinical nutrition, or another health care provider with a degree in nutrition.

Dr. Rob Sanfilippo