Candice Hewitt, M.S., L.N.
Holistic Nutritionist
One Little Step: A Center for Holistic Nutrition
Albuquerque, NM 87111
candice@onelittlestep.com |
|
The Holistic Health Care Modality
In the holistic health modality, practitioners are trained to understand the etiology, prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Reverence for the profound interconnectedness among the physiological processes of the body is paramount. Health is viewed as a state of unrivaled vitality and extraordinary quality of life - not merely the absence of disease. Science-based patient care plans are developed maintaining respect for the patient’s unique biochemistry and the genetic and environmental factors (lifestyle choices, physical and social environment) influencing expression of this biochemistry. At all times, the individual and his or her own unique set of circumstances remains the focus of care. Within these guidelines, a practitioner in the holistic health modality will create a personalized intervention plan aimed at restoring the individual’s physiological, psychological, and/or structural balance to treat illness and/or promote wellness.
Holistic Nutrition
Holistic nutrition is one component of holistic medicine. A practitioner trained in holistic nutrition will focus on the nutritional factors that will be of benefit to a given individual with a given set of circumstances. Most people are astonished to learn that the “healthy diet” that they thought they had been following really isn’t so healthy and is often the source or part of the source of their current health complaints. There is much more to eating healthy than simply choosing healthy foods most of the time! Recurrent GI discomfort (constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, gas, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, nausea), headaches, migraines, food and environmental intolerances, low energy, poor mood, and insomnia, among others, are more than just nuisances interfering with your quality of life. They are warning of the potential for disease development and the need to adjust your current lifestyle. By addressing the imbalance(s) creating the symptom(s), prevention of full-blown disease can be expected. A practitioner of holistic nutrition will work with you to rebalance your physiology through modifications in your food plan, nutraceutical use, and/or meal hygiene in an effort to reverse the trend toward disease or disease itself. In addition, a practitioner of holistic nutrition will recognize factors affecting an individual’s overall health and quality of life that may be beyond the scope of their practice and make appropriate referral(s). For this reason, holistic nutritionists generally work together with primary care providers and other practitioners to ensure that all aspects of an individual’s health are addressed.
What to expect at One Little Step
In many cases, you will come to One Little Step with a diagnosis from your primary care provider. The diagnosis may be that “there is nothing wrong with you” or you may have been told that you have a specific disease, condition, or syndrome. In most cases, supporting your body nutritionally will make a profound positive contribution to the restoration of health and wellness. In many cases chronic, poor nutritional habits may have actually led to the development of disease so by addressing your nutritional habits you will likely get to the true root of the problem. In addition to dietary modifications, there are almost always safe, effective (as determined by randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials) nutraceuticals that can be used to support the body as it contends with disease and strives for wellness. We will work together with your primary care provider to determine if and to what extent holistic nutrition will work for you in your particular situation. | |
