Why Nutrition Should Come Before Any Other Therapy

We all have our biases, and mine tilt me toward the use of nutritional therapies above all others.

I don't discount the others – I just don't see herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, drugs, or other therapies having the same fundamental importance as nutrition.

Why do I feel so strongly about nutrition? It's simple, really. Nutrients provide the building blocks of our biochemistry. Even our genes require nutrients for synthesis, repair, and regulation. All of the proteins, enzymes, tissues, and other substances that make up our body originate with nutrients.

I believe that most of what goes wrong in our bodies is related to inadequate or unbalanced nutrients interacting with our genes and stresses.

How can you determine your nutritional status? The most accurate way is through blood testing of nutrient levels. When it comes to dealing with chronic diseases, it only makes sense to identify nutritional deficiencies and imbalances before proceeding with any kind of therapy. Changes in diet and supplements usually can lead to quick improvements.

Unfortunately, as you well know, modern medicine and health care may little attention to nutrition.

While herbs are far better and safer than drugs, I think it is prudent to first identify and correct dietary problems, especially in chronic diseases. Herbs are rich in antioxidants, but they also contain substances that seem to work through pharmacological means. In other words, their constituents may not always be a normal part of our biochemistry.

I feel the same way about homeopathy. The theory behind homeopathy – that smaller and often undetectable amounts of substances have stronger therapeutic effects – often dumbfounds people. However, molecular biology has taught us that extremely small amounts of substances can have profound effects. Just consider that all the growth hormone in your body would fill no more than 1/40,000th of a teaspoon. Again, I believe that nutrition should come first. While homeopathy might sometimes cure, it does not nourish the body.

After nutrition, I believe that stress reduction and physical activity are paramount. Stress triggers changes that increase our nutritional and biochemical requirements to restore homeostasis. Physical activity increases biochemical activities, so nutrients are put to better use. Again, there's no way to escape the fundamental importance of nutrition.

Read more about nutrition at www.nutritionreporter.com.