Writing As A Way Of Healing

When someone is feeling sick, the conventional inclination is to turn to medication and, certainly, this often works. Nutritional healing, however, is the science of turning to foods, natural supplements, and herbs to treat or even cure health problems. Many people rely on nutritional healing as a supplemental practice, in addition to taking medication. Using food as therapy is an ancient practice; there is a long cultural history associated with the prescription of certain foods to treat specific ailments.

Prevention

Eating foods rich in the nutrients the body needs helps us ward off disease and maintain optimum health. While not every disease or condition can be prevented by a healthy diet, many can. Even if you do not suffer from any particular ailment, you may be interested in aspects of nutritional healing. By embracing a diet aimed at supporting optimum nutrition, you can maintain your health and long-term wellbeing.

PeopleImages / Getty Images

Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is one of the hallmarks of many conditions. It can cause discomfort, intense pain, and lead to worsened symptoms. Many foods have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Although doctors can prescribe medications designed to reduce inflammation, many of these drugs have side effects or interact negatively with other medications. Nutritional healing could help reduce inflammation without medication. Foods such as garlic and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties, as do many others including leafy vegetables, olive oil, and nuts.

dulezidar / Getty Images

Balance Your Hormones

Nutritional therapy can help keep hormones balanced. As we age or as diet affects our health, we can fall prey to unbalanced hormones, which are often at the root of symptoms such as mood disturbances and weight gain. A nutrient-rich diet and natural supplements that support hormone balance can improve health.

PeoGeo / Getty Images

Detoxification

A poor diet can lead to the build-up of toxins in our bodies. However, even with a healthy diet, toxins from our water and the air we breathe can affect our health. Nutritional therapy can promote natural detoxification. Certain foods have cleansing properties; by eating more broccoli, lemon, and green tea, or taking natural supplements, we can assist our bodies in getting rid of these toxins. If you've been feeling fatigued or mentally foggy for no explicable reason, you might try a natural detox.

petrenkod / Getty Images

Balance Blood Sugar

Did you know certain foods have the power to help you balance your blood sugar levels? With type 2 diabetes diagnoses escalating across multiple age demographics, it's increasingly clear that diet is a factor in the onset of this disease. By eating a healthy diet and choosing nutritional therapy to help keep blood sugar balanced, you may be able to ward off this disease or manage it. Foods like whole grains and nuts can help.

boygovideo / Getty Images

Antioxidants

Antioxidants derived from foods can help prevent harmful oxidation from reaching alarming levels in the body. Oxidation and the development of free radicals are the harbingers of disease. Foods that are rich in antioxidants can help us neutralize these free radicals. Your nutritional therapist or dietary counselor can help you select foods high in antioxidants.

GMVozd / Getty Images

Promote Healthy Digestion

Digesting foods is one of the essential tasks of our body. If you experience indigestion or heartburn, you might have a sluggish digestive tract caused by excesses of bad bacteria. Probiotics,the good bacteria in our gut that promote healthy digestion, are a key component of nutritional therapy. They can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, or taken as supplements.

metamorworks / Getty Images

Wound Healing

Malnutrition appears to have an adverse effect on wound healing. Without the nutrients it needs, the body finds it difficult to heal wounds. People with diabetes, especially, may find wounds take longer to heal. With nutritional therapy, people get access to the nutrients they need to support optimum wound-healing. Many clinics offer injections of nutrients for this purpose.

Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images

Slow down the Aging Process

While the earth has yet to reveal a genuine fountain of youth, it appears we can slow the aging process by eating better foods. You can embrace nutritional therapy to target certain areas of your health most likely to be affected by the aging process, such as your skin and bones. Blueberries, salmon, spinach, and high-calcium foods are just a few of the healthy options to address these parts of the body.

Django / Getty Images

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

Many conventional physicians acknowledge the importance of good nutrition in health and healing. Some may offer nutritional therapy or recommend dietary experts who can help design a nutritional plan that serves a patient's specific needs. Talk to your doctor about your condition and ask him or her if nutritional therapy is the right course of action for you.