Clinical nutrition concepts have been part of healthcare for millennia. Hippocrates said “Let food by thy medicine and medicine by thy food”. Even then, people knew that a customized diet can optimize your health.
Clinical nutrition involves the assessment of your nutritional status through a highly detailed medical history and a physical examination. Dietary assessment will focus on the adequacy of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and healthy fat), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), special needs (for metabolic and disease-related requirements) and food reactivity. This last area of investigation includes food allergies, food sensitivities and food intolerances.
Clinical nutrition also includes a customized diet constructed to optimize your health. Sequential therapeutic diets may be necessary when there are coexisting conditions with competing requirements. Supplements may be recommended to jumpstart your progress.