Chronic Disease Specialist
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 60% of all adults have at least one chronic disease, and 40% have two or more chronic health conditions. Our dietitians at Essential Nutrition have extensive experience with understanding how food can impact various chronic diseases and conditions. We offer nutritional insight and guidance on how to manage or eliminate symptoms while also improving overall health. We provide tools for meal planning, shopping, and cooking, as well as support for enhancing eating behaviors that promote better overall health. We can evaluate your use of any dietary supplements and make recommendations to maximize their effectiveness. We’re here to help you as you need!
Chronic Disease Q & A
What are some common chronic diseases?
Some chronic health conditions that can be treated with nutrition therapy include:
- Diabetes
- Gout
- Insulin resistance
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol and triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- Gastroparesis
- Fatty liver
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Hemochromatosis
- Chronic dry eye disease
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Many autoimmune diseases (i.e. celiac disease, Crohn’s, Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis)
- And more….
Many chronic health conditions are preventable. But once you develop a chronic disease, it can be scary and an online search relating to how to manage it may leave you feeling more terrified and confused. With appropriate nutritional strategies, you can often manage the disease, alleviate symptoms, and/or slow down the disease progression, often along with proper exercise and lifestyle changes, such as good sleep hygiene and stress management. Nutrition doesn’t solve the problem for all chronic disease, but when it has an impact, it can be a powerful one.
What is the connection between nutrition and chronic disease?
The foods you eat and the nutrition they provide can impact your health. But not all foods affect each person the same way. What’s healthful and helpful to one person, may cause symptoms or problems for another. We work closely with you to tailor your nutritional intake to what helps you feel your best, while reducing symptoms and managing your condition. Your dietary intake can make a positive difference in your overall health.
What nutrition services are available for chronic diseases?
The dietitians at Essential Nutrition work closely with you and your healthcare provider(s). Their goal is to help you develop healthy eating habits that you can implement and sustain, while also promoting a positive relationship with food.
The standard or “popular” nutritional advice for chronic health conditions can sometimes be conflicting, confusing, or overly restrictive. And food restriction can potentially undermine your health and your relationship with food, leading to greater problems in the end. For some, this leads to unhealthy relationships with food or potential nutritional insufficiencies or deficiencies, possibly even a diagnosable eating disorder.
Our dietitians at Essential Nutrition understand these dynamics. We offer sound, personalized advice, developing a plan that lets you manage your chronic disease while also recognizing the influence of emotions on your food choices and eating behaviors.
If you’re at risk for, or have been diagnosed with, a chronic disease, please contact Essential Nutrition to book an appointment.