Naturopathic medicine is a distinct form of health care that aims to prevent disease or to improve comfort and quality of life in those with chronic disease. One of the core principles of naturopathic medicine is the idea that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself when given the right conditions. One of these conditions is the exchange of nutrients and energy that occurs when eating. Food or nutrition that is in alignment with one’s natural constitution, environment and health conditions is deeply supportive and healing.
Exploring the Many Dimensions of Food in Naturopathic Care
Biochemical Nutrition:
A naturopath may look at diet through different lenses. They are trained in biochemical nutrition and understanding the biological need for macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins & fats as well as important vitamins and minerals absorbed from food that help individuals stay healthy. In practice, I explain to clients that food provides not just nutrition but information on how to heal and grow. In this way, food can be a form of medicine.
Food as Medicine:
Certain custom supplements are filled with nutrients to support health. A multi-vitamin supports general health, a liver supplement supports detoxification, an adrenal support helps the body manage and cope with stress. Did you know that foods also have this ability? Certain foods are endowed with a specific set of nutrients that may be more supportive of one organ or system more than another. And the nutrients within these foods are found in their natural and most absorbable forms.
Take, for example, Beets – a liver supper food! 1 cup of beets contains carbohydrates, 3-4g of fibre and 2 g of protein. It provides a substantial amount of folic acid, vitamin c and vitamin a (beta-carotene). This vital food provides magnesium, potassium, manganese and iron in smaller amounts. The beet has important phytonutrients including betalains, nitrates (which convert into nitric oxide) and alpha-lipoic acid. This is a very unique combination of nutrients that is best known for its cardiac and liver benefits. Why?
- Folic Acid provides methylation support that is important for liver detoxification pathways and reducing oxidative stress as well as modulating inflammation, cholesterol metabolism, and endothelial (blood vessel) function for cardiac health.
- Betalains are the pigments that give beets their deep red and purple colors and help to reduce oxidative and inflammatory stress. Many foods that contain these purple and green pigments are associated with liver and cardiac health.
- Nitrates convert to nitric oxide in the body improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Increased blood flow helps the liver function efficiently by delivering oxygen and nutrients while aiding detoxification processes. NOTE! The nitrates we worry about in processed meat are a synthetic form of the nitrates we find in beets. Nitrates when consumed in their naturally occurring state with other antioxidants convert to nitric oxide. Nitrates consumed as a preservative especially if exposed to high heat can form nitrosamines, which are known to be carcinogenic.
- Fibre aids digestion and promotes healthy gut flora, which indirectly benefits liver function by reducing the liver’s detox load. Fibre is also a front line defense against high cholesterol and the build-up of fat ion the liver.
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals. It supports liver regeneration and helps detoxify heavy metals and other toxins stored in the liver.
All of this in one widely, available, cost-effective food! A naturopath might consider adding beets into the weekly diet of someone working on liver or cardiac concerns.
Food Sensitivities or Biochemical Incompatibility
A naturopath may review your diet for common food sensitivities. These are not necessarily allergens! You may react to foods for several reasons. Take dairy for one example. It truly is wonderful naturally occurring source of calcium. It also contains protein that can be a helpful dietary supplement (especially in young children who like the taste!). But there are a number of reasons one might be sensitive to this food.
- Protein sensitivity – Ex., The immune system may not like the type of casein protein found in common dairy and might respond by producing inflammation.
- Enzyme deficiency – ex., You may be naturally deficient or acquire an inability to produce lactase – the enzyme needed to breakdown the milk sugar, lactose.
- Biochemical Incompatibility – Dairy naturally forms mucus when consumed mainly due to its fat content. If you are a ‘mucusy’ person who suffers from allergies, frequent ear infections, throat infections, asthma, recurrent respiratory issues or irritable bowel with mucusy stool – this food can aggravate the problem.
Biochemical incompatibility is a term I use to describe a reaction between the unique chemistry of a food and how it interacts with our biology. There are many different reasons this can be. It is important to understand that certain foods may work wonders for one person and do quite the opposite for another person. Here is another example. Spinach.
Spinach, a ‘healthy food’ full of nutrients such as Vitamin K, Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Folate (Vitamin B9), Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Quercetin and Fibre also contains oxalates. Oxalates are a type of organic waste acid made from the metabolism of foods. They can bind with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, forming insoluble salts like calcium oxalate, which the body cannot absorb effectively. Oxalates may reduce the absorption of these important minerals but also form crystals that need to be cleared. A build-up of these crystals can cause or aggravate kidney stones, arthritis and other pain disorders and anemia. While this food may be healthy for some it can be problematic for others. This is just another example of the many foods that can build us to optimal health or reduce our ability to cope with chronic disease.
Dairy may worsen certain respiratory or bowel issues.
Beets may improve liver and cardiac health.
Spinach may be a supplemental super food, or it may aggravate chronic pain.
Traditional Nutrition Therapies: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
A naturopath may also consider foods through a more traditional lens such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that takes into consideration the nature of food. In TCM, food is considered not just nourishment but also a form of medicine. Each food has specific properties, such as flavor, temperature, and energetic qualities, which can influence health. Foods that align with an individual’s specific health picture help restore balance and promote overall well-being.
For example, for an individual suffering from irritable bowel we may consider the ‘Spleen Meridian’ in TCM. Foods to nourish the spleen are typically warmer, softer and a little sweet. These would include warm oatmeal, rice congees, root vegetable soups, bone brother soups while avoiding raw vegetables, fruit smoothies, undercooked meats or fish and bitter foods.
Healing with Whole Foods
Nutrition is a vital part of our wellness. What you put into your body now will affect your health years down the road. What you put into your body now can make an impactful difference in your current health. While there is so much information on the ‘correct’ dietary path in the media, the truth is there is no one way to eat well. There are certain dietary principles associated with health and longevity but the best approach to nutrition is the one that is unique to you!
