Nutritional Supplementation

Nutritional therapy is both an art and a science and supplementation should be individualized. Your nutritional needs are unique to you. One of the strengths of applied kinesiology is that it enables the doctor to assess an individual’s nutritional needs.

Even with a balanced diet it is possible to have nutritional deficiencies. Stress, pollution, poor dietary habits in the past and genetics may make it necessary to supplement a good diet. Unfortunately, most people are unsure about which supplements they need. A custom designed nutritional program ensures that the supplementation you take is appropriate to your needs.

Here are some examples of problems caused by nutritional deficiency:

• Hay fever sufferers with itchy eyes are frequently deficient in vitamin A.
• Zinc deficiency can cause immune system problems, sugar cravings or skin problems.
• Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle spasms or heart arrythmias.
• Essential fatty acid deficiency can cause skin problems, muscle fatigue or tension headaches.
• Vitamin B complex deficiencies can cause fatigue or depression.
• Deficiencies in magnesium, calcium or essential fatty acids can be a source of menstrual cramps.

Water, Water, Water!

Water is absolutely critical to life. In fact, most cells in the human body are composed of more than 75% water. Without it, none of them would be able to function. Water has several vital functions in the body:

• Dissolves and delivers nutrients needed to carry on the processes of life
• Is involved in the production of energy
• Acts as a shock absorber inside eyes, spinal cord and joints
• Helps the body flush out waste materials
• Helps maintain the body’s temperature
• Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention

The general rule is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day. Plenty of water aids in:

• Fat metabolism
• Proper kidney function
• Natural appetite suppression
• Proper muscle tone maintenance
• Sagging skin prevention
• Constipation relief

If you’re finding yourself stuck on a diet plateau, look at your water intake. If you haven’t been drinking enough, this could be your problem. Beginning the proper water intake can yield amazing results. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here’s why: The kidneys can’t function properly without enough water. When they don’t work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver’s primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. If the liver has to do some of the kidney’s work, it can’t operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold onto every drop. Water is stored in the extra cellular spaces (outside the cell walls). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands.

In an effort to keep the main organs functioning, the body will steal fluids from the muscles resulting in muscle cramps usually the calves and abdomen. Throughout your workout, your body can burn up to a liter in water. These fluids must be replaced in order to prevent dehydration. To avoid getting heat stroke, stay hydrated. Consume a cup of water for every 15 minutes you exercise…at the very least.

If you’re already thirsty it’s too late. Please drink your water!