Nutrition therapy is an integral part of the total care of our patients. Dr. Greenstein will carefully evaluate patients’ dietary habits from a dietary questionnaire and food diary, and make specific recommendations. Nutritional supplements help patients achieve and maintain optimal health.
The Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) are said to be an adequate level of intake of the essential nutrients needed to maintain health for “practically all healthy persons”. Who are these “healthy persons”? Are You?
Individuals who do not fall within the RDA category of “practically all healthy persons” include the following:
- those who have a very high or low body weight;
- those who have chronic infections or illnesses;
- those who experience heavy physical or emotional work stress;
- those who experience heavy physical or emotional personal stress;
- those who have digestive problems;
- those who have wounds, burns or injuries;
- those who have metabolic abnormalities.
Environmental and lifestyle stressors can increase the needed level of essential nutrients beyond what can be supplied by a healthy diet. A list of some of the common stressors, increasing the amount of essential nutrients we need to function optimally include:
- regular alcohol use;
- regular intake of caffeine;
- chronic dieting;
- use of prescription or non-prescription medications;
- use of recreational drugs;
- oral contraceptive use;
- cigarette smoking or second hand smoke exposure;
- pregnancy;
- heavy exercise;
- surgery;
- exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides;
- exposure to air and water pollution.