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What Do Nutritionists and Dietitians Do?
By educating people about the connection between food and health, nutritionists and dietitians promote good eating habits to help prevent disease and to treat preexisting conditions. Proper nutrition also helps regulate behavior, increase energy, and boost mood.
In therapy, they work with a patient’s unique biological makeup to plan a diet regimen that will facilitate return to optimal health. They may educate those with high blood pressure about restricting salt intake, encourage diabetics to take vitamin E supplements to prevent complications, and help restore low serotonin levels in alcoholics and patients suffering from depression.
Though many of us are aware that a healthy diet can prevent disease, not enough of us know about the healing power of food. With the right vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids, people can begin to fight all sorts of conditions—from cancer to heart disease.
For example, vitamin C can be used to help relieve the withdrawal symptoms that drug addicts suffer. And the amino acid tyrosine can be used to treat cocaine addiction. Other foods can provide a boost in daily functioning: oatmeal helps enhance memory, blueberries can heighten motor skills, and salmon can improve cognition.
