Foundations Of Naturopathic Nutrition

Description

Nutrition is a vital part of the complementary approach to health. This uniquely comprehensive and evidence-based text provides a detailed and systematic guide to the principles of clinical nutrition from a naturopathic perspective. The text begins with an overview of basic physiological principles and the body's protective systems including the antioxidant, detoxification and immune systems. The focus then moves to an in-depth examination of food components, including essential nutrients, such as protein, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, as well as nutritional bioactives, such as coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, phytochemicals, digestive enzymes and probiotics. There is detailed information on how each food component is digested and metabolised in the body, guidance on its impact on health, including an explanation of the effects of inadequate and excessive intake. The types of supplements available together with dietary sources are also explored. Discussions of important nutritional topics are featured, including water as therapy, obesity, anorexia nervosa, high-protein diets, hypoglycaemia, diabetes, phytosterols, gamma-tocopherol, vitamin E and mortality, vitamin C and cancer, infantile scurvy, acid-forming and alkaline-forming diets, hair analysis, sodium and blood pressure, and coenzyme Q10 and cancer. Summary boxes, case studies and quizzes will help readers consolidate their knowledge. This is an essential reference for everyone studying nutrition from a complementary health perspective.

Author description

Fay Paxton PhD is a naturopath and nutritionist. She has taught nutrition at the Southern School of Natural Therapies for over twenty-five years and has worked as a consultant for manufacturers of dietary and herbal supplements.

Table of contents

List of figures and tables Acronyms and abbreviations Preface PART 1. ESSENTIALS OF NATUROPATHIC NUTRITION 1 Introduction to naturopathy, nutrition, naturopathic nutrition, basic physiology, digestion and the body's protective systems PART 2. MACRONUTRIENTS 2 Water, energy and protein 3 Carbohydrates: available and unavailable 4 Lipids, cholesterol and lipotropic nutrients: choline and inositol PART 3. VITAMINS 5 Introduction to vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins: vitamins A, D, E and K 6 Water-soluble vitamins: vitamins C, B1, B2 and B3 7 Water-soluble vitamins: vitamins B5, B6, B12, folic acid and biotin PART 4. MACROMINERALS 8 Introduction to minerals and macrominerals: calcium, phosphorus and magnesium 9 Macrominerals: sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfur PART 5. TRACE ELEMENTS 10 Introduction to microminerals and trace elements: iron and zinc 11 Trace elements: copper, manganese and iodine 12 Trace elements: selenium, chromium, molybdenum and fluorine, and ultratrace elements: boron and silicon PART 6. NUTRITIONAL BIOACTIVES 13 Nutritional bioactives: coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, phytochemicals and chlorophyll 14 Nutritional bioactives: digestive enzymes, probiotics, arthritis bioactives, fungi, algae and bee products Appendix: Nutrient tables Index