Proper nutrition is a vital component to getting well and achieving optimal health. Inadequate or “bad” nutrition can inhibit healing, impair normal function, cause inflammation and pain, prevent healing, and lead to disease.
Poor nutrition can be simplified into three main problems:
1. Deficiency of nutrients
2. Excess of unhealthy nutrients
3. Overall excess energy intake
At Ponte Vedra Beach Chiropractic we can determine what are the main issues through thorough consultation, history and examination. Blood work or additional testing may also be ordered to uncover problems
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If deficiency of nutrients is the main culprit, we recommend the highest quality supplements to correct the problem. We research multiple different companies and sources to ensure that the best possible supplements are being recommended. An excess of unhealthy nutrients and excess energy intake may be corrected through dietary counseling and specific dietary programs.
For more complex or chronic conditions, functional medicine principles will be incorporated. Functional medicine is an evidence based, patient centered approach that may use lab testing and specialized assessments to uncover the root cause of health problems. Personalized, specific treatment plans are then recommended which may include dietary changes, high quality supplements, and lifestyle changes to help the body heal.
A good way to explain this is to explain different approaches to management of a low functioning thyroid. The traditional approach to managing a low functioning thyroid is to test the thyroid for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone (T4). This does not imply that traditional approaches always only order these markers, although it is common. As your T4 levels go down, TSH goes up, meaning the brain (anterior pituitary gland) is telling your thyroid it needs to produce more T4. This is not incorrect; however, it may not be the complete picture. Thyroid medication, such as levothyroxine, is typically prescribed in this case which normalizes TSH levels. Unfortunately, this does not always correct the problem, and the patient continues to have symptoms. The patient is left saying “why do I still have symptoms when my blood tests are normal?”
Functional medicine has a different approach which looks at more blood markers and organ systems to uncover the true cause of the problem. Other possible causes could include:
• Your body is producing enough T4 (inactive thyroid hormone), although not converting it effectively to T3 (active thyroid hormone).
• You have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis which is an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid. In this case the immune system and thyroid must be addressed.
• Your body may be producing too much Reverse T3 which blocks out T3 from getting into the cell.
• Your cells are inflamed, which is affecting the thyroid receptor and causing thyroid hormone insensitivity, meaning it can’t get into the cell.
• Your sex hormones may be unbalanced causing a decreased T3 uptake from estrogen dominance.
• You may have deficiencies in certain nutrients required for normal thyroid function.
o Iodine, selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, etc.
There are many more causes and factors that could lead to a low functioning thyroid. Functional medicine is about uncovering these causes and addressing them. Functional medicine would also be looking at other organs and systems since thyroid receptors are on every cell in the body so multiple other problems in other areas likely would be occurring.
How Proper Nutrition and Supplements Can Improve Your Results with Chiropractic Care
Proper nutrition to correct deficiencies or to optimize function is essential to achieving great results with chiropractic care. Good nutrition and high-quality supplements have many benefits with chiropractic care, including:
• Decreased inflammation and pain
• Supporting muscle recovery
• Improving joint health and healing
• Strengthening bones
• Enhancing nervous system function
• Improving digestive health
• Optimizing your immune response
• Increasing energy
• Improving quality sleep
• Balancing hormones
• Supporting proper hydration and detoxification
• Maintaining optimal weight and overall wellness
If you want to achieve optimal results including relieving pain, improving function, and preventing future health problems, call to schedule a consultation to see how we can uncover the root causes of your health problems and design a program to effectively address it!