What is Naturopathic Nutrition?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care – an art, science and philosophy. It is also the practice of assessing the causes of disease and providing therapeutic protocols to address root causes rather than just symptoms, and identifying ways to help prevent illness. It is distinguished by the guiding principles that underlie and determine naturopathic practice:
- Work with the healing power of nature, trusting the body’s inherent powers of recovery when obstacles to cure are removed.
- Identify the cause – address the underlying cause of illness rather than just treating symptoms.
- First do no harm – use the most natural, least toxic and least invasive therapies first.
- Support the whole person – assess not just the physical condition but also factors that influence health and well-being.
- Therapist as teacher – educate people in the art of self-care and the steps they need to take to achieve optimal health.
- Prevention – encourage the promotion of health and prevention of disease.
These principles and philosophies result in a practice that acknowledges each person is an individual and empowers them to accept greater responsibility in their own health care.
Naturopathic Nutrition is the practice of nutrition within the context of naturopathic medicine. It incorporates respect for the traditional naturopathic approach to nutritional therapy and recognition that:
- Individuals have a unique interaction with nutrients.
- Food selection, preparation and eating is a healing art.
- Whole foods are greater than the sum of their parts.The practice of Naturopathic Nutrition may include appropriate recommendations and advice on:
- Individually assessed dietary therapy.
- Optimal food preparation.
- Traditional approaches to detoxification.
- Lifestyle recommendations to optimise dietary therapy.
- Full and clear information that empowers and encourages each individual to achieve optimal health and well-being.
