Clinical nutrition is the use of dietary protocols, nutritional advice, and supplements to heal the body. The therapeutic use of foods and nutraceuticals is a fundamental cornerstone of naturopathic medicine.
Many health concerns can be addressed and improved with a change in nutrition and the addition of supporting nutrients.
Food intolerances, food sensitivities, deficiencies, dietary imbalances or nutritional excesses have been associated with many medical conditions.
Various tests can help determine an appropriate treatment plan. Your primary care MD or myself can do conventional laboratory testing to rule out iron deficiency, iron overload, vitamin B12 deficiency, to name only a few tests available with orthodox medical care.
Other tests unavailable with orthodox medical care that I do, and can be valuable for helping assess your nutrient needs are: food allergy test, electrodermal test, sulkowich calcium test, vitamin D test, SIBO test, comprehensive stool test, and other tests like fatty acid profile, urine iodine test and red blood cell elements.
The diet and supplements that work best for you are empirically determined and guided by scientific understanding, along with some method of testing.
Supplements and nutraceuticals can be purchased from many locations:
an on-site natural pharmacy in Smithers called Naturally Empowered, that dispenses professional brand products
on-line natural pharmacies
your local health food store in Smithers called Nature's Pantry
your local health food store in Hazelton called Country Herbs
your local health food store in Terrace called Dynamic Health Service
local pharmacies
As a practising naturopathic physician, I have always believed it to be a conflict of interest for a doctor to direct sell supplements to patients. Because I am familiar with the quality of professional brand products, and have had the experience of efficacy in clinical practice with them, I often recommend nutraceuticals from an on-site natural pharmacy called Naturally Empowered, owned by Bill Graham. At times, these nutraceuticals that I recommend from Naturally Empowered can be substituted for similar products at the local health food store or local pharmacy. There are other times when this type of substitution is unwise or potentially harmful. If I have seen you as a patient and you require guidance on this issue, please ask me to help you navigate your nutraceutical support.
These local health food stores along with local grocery stores, as well as community food co-ops and local farmer's markets, are great sources for organic foods, local foods, gluten-free foods, dairy-free foods and many other variations of diet requirements that can best support your needs.
While nutraceuticals are important, they will never substitute for the core basics: Nutrition, Exercise, Thoughts, and Nature.