how to better manage their health to prevent
illness.
Naturopathic PractitionersNaturopathy traces its origins to ancient HEALING
methods based entirely on natural methods, the
only approach available for centuries. Today in the
United States, naturopathic physicians complete
comprehensive education and training programs
and must pass licensing examinations in the states
in which they practice. A naturopathic physician
receives a doctor of naturopathy degree and puts
the initials “ND” or “NMD” after his or her name.
Many naturopaths have additional training and
certification in ACUPUNCTUREand TRADITIONALCHI-
NESE MEDICINE(TCM), broadening the scope of their
perspectives and abilities to accommodate diverse
interests in health care among the people who
come to them for care.
Benefits and Risks of Naturopathy
Naturopathy as practiced in the United States
today functions synergistically with conventional
therapies. The risks of naturopathic remedies vary
according to the person’s primary and secondary
health conditions and with the therapeutic
approach. Within such a context, and because
naturopathy does not use medications or major
surgery, naturopathy is overall less risky than con-
ventional medicine. It is important for people to
receive appropriate conventional medical treat-
ments for conditions that require it, such as type 1
DIABETES. Herbal remedies can interact with each
other as well as with conventional medications. A
person who receives care from conventional as
well as naturopathic doctors should be sure all
practitioners know they are collectively participat-
ing in that care.
See also OSTEOPATHY; REFLEXOLOGY.
nutritional therapy A therapeutic approach that
uses nutraceuticals, foods, vitamins, minerals, and
special diets to fight disease and maintain health.
Nutritional therapy as a complementary method is
not the same as the NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENTa regis-
tered dietitian (RD) might provide for compliance
with conventional nutrition requirements. Nutri-
tional therapy instead blends holistic concepts
with dietary modifications.
From a conventional medicine perspective, the
premise that nutrition and diet influence health
and disease is not new or unique. Foods may con-
tribute to numerous health conditions. Some
foods energize and others relax the body. Foods
also can be harmful to people who have certain
medical conditions. For example, people who
have HEMOCHROMATOSIS, a metabolic disorder that
allows iron to accumulate in various organs,
worsen the condition when they eat foods high in
iron such as spinach. Food allergies, such as to
peanuts, can have lethal consequences.HEALTH CONDITIONS FOODS INFLUENCE
ANEMIA ATHEROSCLEROSIS
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY AUTISM
DISORDER(ADHD) CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
CELIAC DISEASE(sprue) (CVD)
chronic OTITISmedia ECZEMA
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX GOUT
DISORDER(GERD) HEMOCHROMATOSIS
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
(IBD)(IBS)
migraine HEADACHE multiple metabolic
OBESITY syndrome
OSTEOARTHRITIS OSTEOPOROSIS
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME(PMS) PSORIASIS
RECURRENT YEAST INFECTIONS RHINITIS
type 2 DIABETES WILSON’S DISEASEMany of the most significant health conditions
facing Americans today in some way relate to EAT-
ING HABITS. Many people eat too much in general,
too much of foods that do not support health, or
not enough foods that provide the body with the
nutritional foundation it needs to meet its energy
and maintenance requirements. The most com-
pelling evidence of this is the OBESITYrate in the
United States; more than two thirds of Americans
are overweight (5 to 20 percent above healthy
weight) and nearly a third have obesity (20 per-
cent or higher above healthy weight). Of special
concern is the significant rise in the number of
children who have obesity, particularly children
under 10 years old. Some studies also link dietary
habits with health conditions such as COLORECTAL
CANCER.
Because many people do not eat nutritiously,
dietary changes to improve nutrition nearly always92 Alternative and Complementary Approaches