Why You Should Ditch the Fad Diets and Turn to Nutritional Medicine
Are you tired of jumping from one fad diet to another, only to find yourself back at square one? Let's chat about why these diets might not be working for you and how nutritional medicine can be the game-changer you need.
Here at Functional Health of Lancaster, and we're all about finding what works best for YOU and YOUR body.
Let’s first dive into the truth about popular fad diets.
Pros and Cons of a Keto Diet
You've probably heard about keto. It's great for quick weight loss and can rev up your energy levels. Plus, it's got some benefits in managing chronic illnesses and reducing your appetite and blood markers like triglycerides and insulin.
But here's the catch - it's a tough diet to stick to. It can also bring along some not-so-pleasant side effects like 'keto breath' and constipation. And, for some folks, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health issues.
What is the Keto Diet?
The ketogenic, or "keto," diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating plan that has gained popularity for its potential benefits, but it also comes with certain drawbacks, warranting a closer look at its underlying science.
Benefits of Keto Diet:
Rapid Weight Loss: The keto diet shifts the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This metabolic change is not just effective for quick weight loss but also for reducing the storage of excess fat.
Enhanced Energy Levels: By using fat as a primary energy source, many people on a keto diet experience a more stable energy supply throughout the day, avoiding the spikes and crashes associated with high-carb diets.
Management of Chronic Illnesses: Keto has shown promise in managing conditions like epilepsy and is being explored for other neurological disorders. The diet's impact on reducing inflammation may also benefit certain chronic illnesses.
Appetite Control and Improved Blood Markers: A high-fat diet can lead to a reduced appetite, helping with calorie control. Furthermore, keto diets have been observed to lower levels of triglycerides, blood sugar, and insulin, markers that are important for heart health and diabetes prevention.
The Downsides and Challenges of Keto:
Nutrient Deficiencies: Long-term adherence to the keto diet can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients typically found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can result in long-term health implications if not carefully managed.
Adherence Difficulty: The restrictive nature of the diet, cutting out major food groups like grains and fruits, makes it challenging for many to maintain long-term.
Unpleasant Side Effects: Commonly known issues like 'keto breath,' constipation, and sometimes 'keto flu' in the initial stages can be off-putting. These arise as the body adjusts to a state of ketosis.
Sustainability and Long-Term Health Risks: There are concerns about the long-term cardiovascular and bone health impacts due to the high intake of saturated fats and low intake of certain plant-based nutrients.
Pros and Cons of Vegan Diet
The vegan diet, characterized by the exclusion of all animal products, is known for its potential health and environmental benefits, but it also poses certain challenges that are worth examining through a scientific lens.
Benefits of a Vegan Diet
Heart Health: One of the most significant advantages of a vegan diet is its positive impact on cardiovascular health. By eliminating animal fats, vegans often have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of heart diseases.
Weight Management: Vegans typically consume diets higher in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are less calorie-dense and more nutrient-rich. This can aid in maintaining a healthy weight and reducing obesity risk.
Cancer Risk Reduction: A diet rich in plant-based foods is associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancers. This is attributed to the high intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables.
Improved Digestive Health: High fiber content in a vegan diet promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. This can contribute to a reduced risk of gastrointestinal issues and diseases.
Environmental Impact: Veganism significantly reduces one's carbon footprint. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, making plant-based diets more sustainable and environmentally friendly…and ultimately better for the health of the population.
Downsides of a Vegan Diet
Nutrient Deficiencies: The absence of animal products can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are crucial for overall health, and their lack can lead to serious health issues if not properly supplemented.
Inflammatory Oils in Processed Vegan Foods: Many processed vegan foods, including popular options like Beyond Meat, often contain high levels of inflammatory oils such as soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and others. These oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which, in excess, can contribute to systemic inflammation in the body.
This imbalance is often linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Regular consumption of these inflammatory oils can exacerbate symptoms related to inflammation, such as joint pain, fatigue, and digestive issues.
The vegan diet offers substantial benefits for personal health and the environment, yet it requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a balanced intake of all essential nutrients.
Why You Should Turn to Nutritional Medicine!
Now, let's talk about nutritional medicine. It's not just about eating healthy; it's a science-backed approach that uses specific nutrients to target your unique health issues.
Think of it as a tailor-made diet plan, crafted just for you, to hit those health goals. We dive deep into your nutritional status, consider any food sensitivities, and even look at your genetic makeup to design a plan that's as unique as you are.
It's all about using the power of food to tackle everything from thyroid issues to anxiety.
What is Nutritional Medicine?
Nutritional medicine is more than just a diet plan. It's an integrative, science-based approach that looks at how different nutrients affect your body and health.
We understand that each person is different, and so are their nutritional needs.
By focusing on your individual requirements, we can make a real impact on your overall health, from physical ailments to mental wellbeing.
And we do this with the help of Functional lab testing!
Benefits of Functional Lab Testing and Nutritional Medicine
At Functional Health of Lancaster, we're passionate about unlocking the unique health potential of each individual through the power of functional lab testing. This approach is a cornerstone of nutritional medicine, which emphasizes understanding and addressing the root causes of health issues through diet and lifestyle changes. By utilizing specific tests such as gut testing, hormone testing, and food sensitivity testing, we gain invaluable insights into your body's specific needs and imbalances.
For instance, gut testing can reveal the presence of harmful bacteria or yeast overgrowth, guiding us to recommend a diet rich in probiotics and fiber to restore balance.
Hormone testing might uncover issues like high cortisol levels, prompting us to suggest foods that help manage stress.
Similarly, if food sensitivity testing indicates a dairy intolerance, we'll help you navigate towards nutritious dairy alternatives.
Nutrient level testing measures the levels of various vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in your body. This helps in identifying any deficiencies or excesses that could be impacting your health. Based on these results, we can recommend specific dietary changes or supplements to address any imbalances. For instance, if you're low in vitamin D, we might suggest dietary adjustments along with targeted supplementation.
Genetic testing provides a window into your unique genetic makeup, offering insights into how your body processes nutrients, responds to different types of foods, and your predisposition to certain health conditions.
Understanding your genetic predispositions helps us craft a diet plan that aligns perfectly with your body’s needs. For example, if you have a genetic variation that affects how you metabolize fats, we can adjust your diet to ensure optimal absorption and utilization of these nutrients.
This tailored approach ensures that your diet plan isn't just healthy in a general sense, but specifically optimized for you.
Such detailed understanding forms the essence of nutritional medicine – it's not about following a one-size-fits-all diet but creating a personalized nutrition plan based on a deep understanding of your body.
This methodology extends beyond mere symptom management; it's about nurturing optimum health and wellness tailored to your unique biological makeup.
Alternative Medicine in Lancaster
Curious to learn more and see how nutritional medicine can work for you? Book a call with us at Functional Health of Lancaster! Our caring and dedicated team is ready to guide you on a personalized journey to better health.
Book your first appointment with us at Functional Health of Lancaster to start your personalized health journey today!
