The Imperative of Integrating Nutrition in Chiropractic Care
By Daniele G. Lattanzi
Over the past 50 years, the quality of nutrition available to the average American has significantly declined. This decline needs urgent attention because of its profound impact on patients’ health, manifesting in an increased prevalence of chronic illnesses and diminished overall well-being.
Chiropractic care has a rich history of effectively promoting optimal health. However, the current state of our soil and food quality has necessitated a more holistic approach to health care. As a result, chiropractors must integrate nutrition into their practice to continue delivering the best possible service to their clients and help them achieve optimum wellness.
Understanding the Decline in Nutritional Quality
The decline in the nutritional quality of American food can be attributed mainly to modern agricultural practices, including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which have significantly depleted our soil’s nutrient content.
Consequently, the fruits, vegetables, and grains grown in this soil are less nutritious than those produced decades ago. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the levels of essential nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A and C, in our food supply have decreased noticeably since the 1950s.
Processed and convenience foods have become staples in the modern diet and are often stripped of their natural nutrients to be loaded with unhealthy additives, preservatives, and sugars. This shift toward nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods has contributed to a surge in lifestyle-related diseases. However, it’s important to note that these conditions are preventable and often reversible with proper nutrition, underscoring the potential impact of integrating nutrition into chiropractic care.
The Impact on Patient Health
Poor nutrition is recognized as a leading cause of illness in the United States, contributing to more than half a million deaths each year. It’s linked to many common chronic diseases, including:
Obesity: Forty-two percent of American adults, or 109.5 million people, are obese. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States has reached an all-time high.
Cardiovascular disease: An estimated 49.2% of Americans, or 126.9 million people, have cardiovascular disease. In 2020, an estimated 800,000 people died from cardiovascular disease, more than COVID-19 that same year.
Type 2 Diabetes: More than 33 million Americans have type 2 diabetes.
Many of the complaints chiropractors encounter today are exacerbated or even caused by poor nutrition. This concept is not new to chiropractic. In 1921, D. D. Palmer wrote in The Chiropractic Adjuster, “‘From baby in the highchair to grandma in the rocker,’ the axial bones [the spinal vertebrae] are as liable to be displaced by noxious substances, which enter the system in our food and drink or by inhalation, as they are by accident direct.”
Chronic inflammation, weakened immune function, hormonal imbalances, and digestive disorders are just a few issues that can be traced back to inadequate nutrient intake. Patients suffering from these conditions often experience slower recovery times and less effective outcomes from chiropractic treatments alone.
Chiropractic care focuses on the alignment and function of the musculoskeletal system, promoting natural healing and improving overall health. However, patients may struggle to achieve lasting results without addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies. A well-nourished body is better equipped to heal and maintain health, making nutrition an essential component of comprehensive chiropractic care.
The Rise of the “Food as Medicine” Movement
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of nutrition in maintaining and restoring health. The “food as medicine” movement has gained significant traction in the United States, advocating for the use of whole, nutrient-dense foods as a primary means of preventing and treating illness. This approach emphasizes the role of diet in supporting the body’s natural healing processes and promoting overall well-being.
The principles of “food as medicine” align closely with the philosophy of chiropractic care, which emphasizes the body’s innate ability to heal itself when given the proper support. By integrating nutritional guidance into their practices, chiropractors can enhance their patient’s health outcomes and contribute to the broader movement toward holistic, preventive health care.
The Need for Nutritional Integration in Chiropractic Practice
Given the current state of our food supply and the rising prevalence of nutrition-related illnesses, chiropractors should seriously consider incorporating nutrition into their practice. Doing so can provide a more comprehensive approach to health and wellness, addressing their patients’ structural and nutritional needs.
Here are a few key reasons why chiropractors should integrate nutrition into their care:
Enhanced Healing and Recovery: Proper nutrition supports the body’s healing processes, leading to faster recovery and more effective outcomes from chiropractic treatments. Nutrient-dense foods can reduce inflammation, boost immune function, and improve overall vitality.
Prevention of Chronic Diseases: By educating patients about the importance of nutrition and guiding them toward healthier dietary choices, chiropractors can help prevent the onset of chronic diseases. This proactive approach can reduce the need for more intensive medical interventions.
Holistic Wellness: Integrating nutrition allows chiropractors to address the whole person, considering their physical and nutritional needs. This holistic approach can lead to improved patient satisfaction and long-term health outcomes.
Increased Patient Education and Empowerment: Providing nutritional guidance empowers patients to take control of their health. Educated patients are more likely to make informed choices about their diet and lifestyle, leading to sustained improvements in their well-being.
Practical Steps for Integrating Nutrition into Chiropractic Practice
For chiropractors looking to incorporate nutrition into their practice, here are some practical steps to get started:
Continuing Education: Invest in courses focused on nutrition and its role in health. This knowledge will equip you to help patients achieve optimal wellness.
Nutrition Testing and Coaching: Provide nutrition services to help patients discover the nutrients their bodies need to heal. No two bodies are identical, so each person requires a personalized nutrition plan.
Supplement Recommendations: Based on your findings during the testing, offer high-quality, whole-food nutritional supplements to address specific deficiencies and support patient health.
Patient Education Materials: Develop educational materials, such as brochures, handouts, and workshops, to inform patients about the importance of nutrition and how it complements chiropractic care.
The decline in food quality in America has significantly impacted patient health, necessitating a more holistic approach to health care. Chiropractors are uniquely positioned to address this challenge by integrating nutrition into their practices. By doing so, they can provide comprehensive care that supports the body’s natural healing processes, prevents chronic diseases, and promotes overall wellness.
About the Author
Daniele G. Lattanzi is the cofounder and CEO of Effective Practice Management and board chairman and CEO of Ulan Nutritional Systems, the training center for Nutrition Response Testing.. Freddie Ulan, DC, developed this safe, noninvasive system to discover all deficiencies and the underlying causes of a person’s symptoms and conditions. Learn more by clicking on this link: What is Nutrition Response Testing?
