Want to make the most of the information and advice in the chapters that follow? These tips can help.
Don’t double up. If you’re dealing with multiple medical problems at the same time, you’ll need to merge their nutrient prescriptions rather than simply tacking one to another. So, for example, if condition A calls for 500 milligrams of vitamin C and condition B calls for 500 milligrams of vitamin C, you’ll want to take 500 milligrams of vitamin C total, not 1,000. Your body is perfectly capable of using the single dose of vitamin C for more than one purpose.
Exercise caution with children. The therapeutic doses presented in this book come from studies of adults and clinical experience with adults. Therefore, the nutritional prescriptions are intended for adults unless noted otherwise.
If there’s a child in your life who you believe could benefit from the remedies discussed here, please consult the child’s pediatrician before proceeding. It isn’t prudent to assume that simply reducing the dose is safe and will provide the same therapeutic benefits.
Find an expert. Especially if you have multiple health problems, you’ll do yourself a great favor by finding a doctor or a health-care professional who’s well versed in using nutrition to treat and manage illness. If your doctor does not routinely offer nutrition advice or counseling, don’t hesitate to request a referral to someone who can meet that need.
Naturopaths, by the way, are well qualified to partner with your MD in providing nutritional support. Just make sure that your naturopath received training at an accredited 4-year institution. Only 17 states have licensing requirements for naturopaths; in all other states, people whose “training” includes condensed or online courses can call themselves NDs and open for business. (Would you rely on an MD who obtained his degree from an online institution after studying for 8 months?)
Trust your body and support its work. Your immune system is on call 24/7, cleansing your body of renegade cancer cells and invading microbes. Your liver works overtime to clear your body of toxins. Your brain uses neurotransmitters and hormones to keep every cell in your body working in harmony. These and the rest of your body parts need a steady supply of nutrients to fight disease and stay healthy.