Food provides much more than just energy, calories or fuel.
Food provides information.
Food has a strong influence on our digestive health, which has a profound influence over other body systems.
Many people make food choices that contribute to poor health by including, low nutrient content, high calorie, highly processed foods, along with a diet of potentially unidentified food intolerance and sensitivity. Although a person may not initially feel ‘bad’, these reactions take place on a cellular level and my not manifest for several weeks, months or years.
‘The big problem with the Western Diet is that it doesn’t feed the gut, only the upper GI. All the food has been processed to be readily absorbed, leaving nothing for the lower GI. But it turns out that one of the keys to health is fermentation in the large intestine’
~Stephen O’Keefe, a gastroenterologist of the University of Pittsburgh, quoted in Pollan M. Some of my best friends are germs. New York Times, May 15 2013
Assessing for reactions to food is complex and often controversial.
Our understanding of the gut is constantly evolving and dietary advice needs to reflect the key findings from the current research.
The Food Allergy, Intolerance & Sensitivity course takes a holistic approach to evaluating not only local digestive disorders, but many systemic diseases that are linked to GI dysfunction. This includes an understanding of the important roles that the microbiome, immune and nervous systems play in digestive disorders.
Below is an overview of some of the common dietary interventions covered in the course material.
Wellness Diets: Paleo & Mediterranean
Description: Whole food, healthy lifestyle program. Low in refined foods.
Benefits: Easy to follow diets, that may be useful in the early phases when an individual may be overwhelmed with information and instructions.
Considerations: May not eliminate important dietary triggers in some people.
Applications: Initial dietary guidelines for new clients. Maintenance of gut health long term.
Indications: Poor dietary habits e.g., low fibre, high in processed foods. Requirement for healthy diet and lifestyle guidance.
Elimination Diet
Description: Removes foods that are potentially generating food sensitivities and intolerance’s. Foods are then systematically reintroduced to determine specific intolerances and create an individual dietary plan.
Benefits: Effective in the resolution of many gut conditions due to the individualised focus.
Considerations: Often eliminates a wide range of foods which can be challenging for clients.
Applications: All gut conditions, especially IBD & IBS.
Indications: Food allergy or history of atopy. Lack of response to other diets. Worse for processed/artificial foods.
Low FODMAP
Description: Eliminates specific carbohydrates that ferment in the small intestine and give IBS like symptoms.
Benefits: Provides fast relief of IBS-like symptoms. Significant benefits symptomatic benefits can encourage compliance.
Considerations: Eliminates a wide range of foods which can be challenging for clients.
Applications: IBS, IBS-like symptoms, SIBO, IBD.
Indications: Hydrogen/methane breath test. Symptoms worse with fruit & legumes. Tiredness, Low mood
Along with providing nutritional theory and science, this course will provide an easy to understand, step-by-step approach to evaluate and make recommendations for clients. Each step is accompanied by clear descriptions and summary charts to help implement the protocols in your clinic.
Hi Damian,
I am interested in the course – my clients are mostly children who have major issues from blind to learning problems . Nutrition is a core part of the program.
I am going to Cambodia to spend a few weeks in a clinic and need to complete this task before I commit to more study.
Please leave me on your list .
Thanks,
Lidwina
Hi Lidwina,
In my clinic I work with many children similar to what you have described. Nutrition is also a core component of my treatment philosophy, and this experience is shared in the course content.
Best of luck with your work in Cambodia!
Regards,
Damian.