Nutritional Supplementation
What Is It?
Functional Medicine focuses on the health of the cell in order to best support all body systems. The cells require a range of nutrients to work effectively. Nutritional Supplementation requires taking therapeutic doses of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids) based on individual needs.
Ideally, people would get nutrients from the foods they eat. However, our nutrient-poor modern diet combined with low-nutrient farm soil makes this very difficult.
As the gut heals, supplementation may be reduced or eliminated. But in cases where there are ongoing dietary, metabolic and/or genetic issues, supplementation may be required long-term.
Nutritional supplementation is not a substitute for good diet.
Who Is It For?
Nutritional Supplementation can optimise cellular health and therefore works to both treat and prevent a range of conditions including but not exclusive to;
ADHD, Allergies, Anxiety, Asthma, Autism, Behaviour, Cancer, Celiac, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Diabetes, Digestive Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Eating Disorder, Eczema, Food Intolerances, Heart Disease, Infections, Learning Delay, Obesity, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pyroluria, Schizophrenia, Sensory Integration, Speech-Language Delay.
Children especially may benefit from supplements because it helps to ensure that the body and brain have essential nutrients during critical developmental periods.
What Are the Benefits?
According to the Functional Medicine model, Nutritional Supplementation supports cellular health by increasing the absorption of nutrients while blocking out toxins. The benefits may include improved metabolic, immunologic, neurologic and digestive function.
Nutritional Supplementation is designed to target individual needs and to treat the core cause of illness at the cellular level. It is important that a trained Functional Medicine practitioner oversee supplementation to ensure the patient is receiving appropriate supplements at appropriate therapeutic doses.
In some cases, supplements may reduce or eliminate the need for medications which reduces costs as well as the risk of potential side-effects.
Nutritional Supplementation may also reduce oxidative stress and inflammation which in turn could reduce symptoms of allergies, arthritis, asthma, ADHD, Autism and a wide range of disease.
What Are The Costs?
Costs of supplementation vary and are best assessed by a skilled Functional Medicine practitioner. They would likely include consulting fees, lab tests and the supplements.
Where can I find a certified practitioner?
Finding a well-trained Integrative and/or Functional practitioner requires research but is a vital step in treating complex and chronic illness.Below are links to lists of practitioners worldwide. We recommend you research the scope, expertise and experience of any practitioners you are considering.
U.S. & Global
Institute of Functional Medicinehttps://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Integrative Medicine for Mental Health
http://www.immh.org/find-a-practitioner/
Medical Academy of Paediatric Special Needs (MAPS)
http://www.medmaps.org/clinician-directory/
Australia & New Zealand
Mindd Foundationhttps://directory.mindd.org/
The Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM)
https://www.acnem.org/practitioners/
UK
The British Society for Ecological Medicinehttps://www.bsem.org.uk/pages/14-practitioners
Disclaimer: Mindd Foundation does not endorse any specific individuals listed and makes no representations, warranties, nor guarantees and assumes no responsibility for any services provided. Mindd Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind as a result of using any products or services provided by those listed.