Nutrition: The Natural Way to Improve the Body’s Chemistry

Why do doctors prescribe drugs? Why do we take them? The answer is to change the body’s chemistry in order to correct a symptom. The appropriateness of drug therapy for various complaints may be controversial, but the goal is clear—to affect the body’s chemistry. Anti-depressants are given to chemically increase neurotransmitter activity. Anti-inflammatory drugs  biochemically reduce inflammation, giving relief from pain. Antibiotics chemically kill bacteria Drugs exist to create chemical changes in order to bring a symptom under control. All drugs have side effects.
The sixth greatest killer in America, killing about 100,000 people per year, are drugs that are properly prescribed and taken according to the doctor’s instructions. This is not a complete indictment of drug therapy—let’s face it, there are times when drugs are appropriate. We should, however, be aware of what the goal of our drug therapies are and whether or not there are any safer alternatives.
Nutrition is another way to affect the body’s biochemistry. Unlike drug therapy, nutritional therapies have few, if any, side effects. Every activity in the body, digestion, muscle action, oxygen utilization,  even thought, is the result of chemical reactions. Vitamins and minerals are the co-factors that enable these chemical reactions to occur.  Generally, in chronic conditions, nutrition, herbs, homeopathics and other natural therapies are effective. Drug therapy is often indicated in acute or life-threatening conditions.
Many herbal and nutritional therapies are well-researched. The traditional medical establishment is becoming increasingly interested in herbs and vitamins; they are safe and they get the job done.
Having a health care professional who is trained in nutrition is much better than trying to treat yourself according to your symptoms. You wouldn’t treat yourself with drugs; you seek the help of a professional, a doctor.
Taking nutrients without the advice of a professional may be safer than self-medicating with drugs, but if you want good results, seek professional advice. Biochemistry  and nutrition are complicated subjects. You don’t know what you don’t know until you know what you didn’t know. So many people are taking herbs and nutrients without understanding the implications of what they are taking.
Another reason to seek professional advice is the quality of the products available to professionals. Someone who deals with nutritional and herbal products is more likely to know which companies have good quality control and which formulas are likely to work. There is not a lot of quality control in the food supplement industry and we pretty much have to trust the companies we deal with
Continue to learn about nutrition and your body. An educated patient is more likely to be successful at obtaining his or her health goals. But don’t try to treat yourself, advice from a professional who you trust can really improve your results and give you the health and energy that you deserve.
Good health is about balance. In order to be healthy, you must have good chemcial, structural and mental (or spirtual) balance. Nutrition balances your body’s chemistry. Chiropractic balances your body’s structure.