Therapy Through Diet
Proper nutrition plays a crucial role not only in the weight loss process, with which it is most commonly associated. A balanced diet is also a vital element in the treatment of many conditions, supporting and accelerating recovery or slowing disease progression when a complete cure is not possible. The use of therapeutic diets in the treatment of various ailments, which we will briefly outline below, falls under the concept of diet therapy. Learn exactly what diet therapy is and how it can be beneficial for different conditions. Then, schedule a consultation at Made By Diet® and join us in the fight for your health. It’s truly worth it—after all, you only have one!
What is Diet Therapy?
Diet therapy, a treatment approach based on dietary adjustments, involves using specific nutritional strategies to support and enhance the management of various health conditions. Depending on the specific condition a patient is dealing with, a dietitian selects a dietary approach that becomes an integral part of the treatment. To achieve this, certain foods are eliminated or significantly reduced from the patient’s diet, while others that positively impact the fight against the illness are introduced. Exclusions may involve foods that cause bloating, diarrhea, or pain, allergens, foods that exacerbate inflammation, or irritate the mucous membranes of the intestines and stomach. Therapeutic diets can be used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy or as the sole treatment method. The latter is possible in cases where the main cause of the symptoms is the food consumed by the patient (as in celiac disease, where diet therapy involves eliminating gluten-containing foods from the diet).
In which conditions can Diet Therapy be helpful?
Diet therapy is applicable to a range of both congenital and acquired diseases. Consider diet therapy in the following cases:
- Gastrointestinal Diseases – including reflux, peptic ulcer disease, liver and pancreatic disorders, SIBO, IBS, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Cancer – diet therapy in cancer helps tailor the diet to nutritional needs related to health status, treatment, and food intake capabilities.
- Autoimmune Diseases – such as celiac disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Depending on the autoimmune condition, diet therapy can help eliminate or alleviate accompanying symptoms.
- Food Allergies and Intolerances – such as lactose intolerance, histamine intolerance, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and food allergies like egg white or milk protein allergies. In these cases, an elimination diet is used, often without the need for medication.
- Insulin Resistance, Reactive Hypoglycemia, and Diabetes – proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing glucose metabolism disorders. Diet therapy for diabetes, reactive hypoglycemia, and insulin resistance aims to optimize blood sugar levels and maintain stable glycemia.
- Cardiovascular Diseases – an appropriate diet is essential in managing atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. Alongside pharmacotherapy and tailored physical activity, dietary changes play a key role in reducing the risk of heart attacks and improving the patient’s quality of life.
If diet therapy, then only at Made By Diet®! Trust our experts, and together we will overcome obstacles and embark on a journey towards your health!