MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Nutrition is the cornerstone of good health!

A number of medical conditions benefit from nutrition intervention to either delay the progression of the disease or improve the outcome. The most common conditions are listed below. If you have a specific condition that is not listed, click on For More Information to find out if diet changes are required / effective.

HIGH CHOLESTEROL contributes to the hardening of the arteries (Arteriosclerosis). This may result in a heart attack, stroke, or poor circulation to the legs. Normal levels of cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dl or 5.2 mmol/L. A low cholesterol eating plan will focus on adequate calories for weight loss/maintenance, types of fat, fat substitutions, shopping & label reading, and eating out. You will learn about your Body Mass Index and the good & bad cholesterols. Medical terms will be explained. This plan is also suitable for those who want to prevent high cholesterol and can be combined with our Weight Loss Program.  For more information complete the Individual Program Form.

DIABETES is a condition in which the body is unable to maintain normal blood sugar levels either because of the lack of insulin or insulin resistance. Diet is the cornerstone in the treatment of all types of diabetes. The diabetic eating plan consist of regular well balanced meals and snacks designed to control the amount of sugar released into the blood stream, at an energy level suitable for weight loss or maintenance. Foods high in sugar will be restricted because they release too much sugar into the blood stream too fast and require large amounts of insulin to restore balance.  For more information complete the Individual Program Form.

CELIAC DISEASE is a condition in which the body is unable to handle gluten. Gluten is a protein found in many food grains: wheat, rye, barley, triticale, and oats. To prevent serious health problems you need to follow a gluten-free diet. This will relieve the symptoms of chronic diarrhea, gas, bloating, malabsorption, anemia, and restore the damaged intestines. Because of the severe dietary restrictions it is difficult to eat a well balanced diet. The eating plan will provide you with balanced and optimal nutrition at an appropriate energy level, while eliminating gluten containing foods.  For more information complete the Individual Program Form.

OSTEOPOROSIS is a bone-thinning disease that affects both men and women. Post-menopausal women are at an increased risk and have high calcium requirements (1500 mg / day) to minimize bone loss. The eating plan will provide balanced nutrition with adequate calcium at an energy level appropriate for you.  For more information complete the Individual Program Form.

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE. Many people are unable to digest milk sugar (lactose) because they lack the enzyme lactase. This results in abdominal pain, bloating, and even diarrhea after consuming dairy products. The condition may be temporary or permanent depending on the cause. People vary in the amount of lactose they can tolerate and this needs to be assessed individually. The diet will start off lactose-free after which the amount of lactose will be gradually increased until you have found your level of tolerance. The eating plan will provide you with optimal and balanced nutrition at an energy level appropriate to achieve / maintain a healthy weight.  For more information complete the Individual Program Form.

FOOD ALLERGIES. A true food allergy is an abnormal response of the body’s immune system to a certain food or food ingredient. For some people, even eating a little of the offending food may trigger a life threatening reaction. Others may tolerate small amounts of the food to which they are allergic. A food allergy should be properly diagnosed to avoid unnecessary restrictions. One in three people believe he / she has a food allergy but only about 1% of adults suffer from a true food allergy. The eating plan will be designed to provide you with balanced and optimal nutrition within the necessary restrictions, and an energy level appropriate to achieve/maintain a healthy weight.  For more information complete  the Individual Program Form.

GLUTEN/WHEAT INTOLERANCE.
See Celiac Disease

OTHERS: In addition to the conditions described, GNS provides nutrition counseling for the following:

• Gout
• Crohn’s Disease
• Kidney Stones
• Kidney Diseases
• High Blood Pressure
• Sports Nutrition
• Nutrition in Pregnancy
• Infant & Child Nutrition
• Anorexia/Bulimia
• Vegetarian Nutrition
• General Nutrition