Surrey based naturopathic nutritional therapist discusses how to increase energy levels, and why a naturopathic nutrition approach can offer you the solution you’ve been looking for.

In the world of naturopathic nutrition and functional medicine, our goal is to take a holistic view of your health, addressing the root cause of your symptoms and ensuring that treatments support the entire body, and not just one isolated issue.  Sometimes this involves explaining to patients the potential dangers of medications or supplements prescribed by their GP that could be doing more harm than good.

Let’s explore a common example:

A GP prescribes ferrous sulphate because the patient has complained of low energy and tests reveal iron levels are low.  However, the patient also has constipation, which is compromising their detoxification pathways.  The back-up in detoxification is likely contributing to a range of other health problems, including their elevated liver markers and chronically high inflammatory markers.  As a result, the patient is in significant pain, struggling with mobility and fatigue, and their overall health is spiralling downwards.

In this scenario, ferrous sulphate, one of the most common forms of iron prescribed by GPs, may seem like a logical solution for low iron levels to increase energy.  However, from a naturopathic nutrition and functional medicine perspective, this choice can often worsen the patient’s existing issues.  Ferrous sulphate is notorious for causing constipation, a side effect that would exacerbate the patient’s detox issues and likely further elevate their liver markers and inflammatory markers.  This would, in turn, worsen the patient’s pain, mobility and fatigue, leading to a downward spiral in their health.

Leading Surrey based Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist Provides her Perspective to Increase Energy holistically:

From a nutritional therapy standpoint, we prefer to approach iron deficiency with a more holistic, patient centred approach.  In this case, rather than opting for ferrous sulphate and just looking to address their low iron and low energy status, we would consider alternatives like lactoferrin or iron glycinate, which are known to be gentler on the digestive system, are less likely to cause constipation and overall have less side effects.  Research also shows that lactoferrin and iron glycinate are just as effective at increasing iron levels and achieving increased energy as iron sulphate.  The form and dose of iron we choose ultimately depends on several factors, such as the patient’s specific iron levels, whether iron is low in the blood or if the patients issues are more related to iron transportation into cellular storage; blood work, which is a key part of functional medicine, helps us to assess this, and thus direct our treatment protocol to a clients specific needs.

It is also key to assess whether an individual actually has deficient iron levels, or whether they are just borderline because we do not want to over dose with iron supplementation.  In addition, it’s also key to assess other nutrient levels such as Vitamin B12 and folate, as these are both involved in red blood cell synthesis and can also contribute to low energy and anaemia.  All of these nutrients can be assessed via blood testing – visit our blood testing services to find out how to get your blood test today.

In addition to iron supplementation, naturopathic nutritional therapists and functional medicine practitioners would focus on addressing the patient’s liver enzymes and inflammation through personalised nutritional therapy and naturopathic approaches.  This ensures that we’re not simply tackling the iron deficiency but also managing other aspects of the patient’s health, like detoxification and inflammation, which are crucial to their overall well-being, long-term health goals, such as increasing mobility and energy levels.

At our Surrey based clinic we like to take a holistic approach to increasing your energy levels and getting to the root cause of the matter.

Not all Nutrition training is equal:

Unfortunately, most GPs are limited in their knowledge of different forms of iron supplements and the body’s broader response to them.  The Iron sulphate form, commonly prescribed by GP’s, is often poorly absorbed and causes unwanted side effects, like constipation, that complicate other health issues and is not a form that a naturopathic nutritional therapist would ever opt for.

Here in our Surrey clinic we prefer to prescribe gentler forms of iron supplementation like a bisgyclinate form or a lactoferrin for example, or to address the root of the matter which may be related to GUT health issues, issues with absorption or the metabolism of how your body moves iron, rather than your actual intake of iron.

Conclusion:

If you’ve been diagnosed with anaemia, are struggling with low iron, want to increase your energy, or have issues with mobility and fatigue, it is essential to seek advice from a qualified and insured naturopathic nutritional therapist or functional medicine practitioner who will look at your health more holistically.  A Nutritional Therapist with at least four years of training, including biomedicine and pharmacology will have much more extensive training on nutrients and nutrient supplementation and how these in turn impact the body holistically.  Further, a naturopathic nutritional therapist can also provide you with a comprehensive plan that addresses all aspects of your health and will take their time to design a plan that is specific to your needs but also fits in with your lifestyle and preferences.

Remember that a holistic approach is often the key to long-term wellness, and getting your nutrients levels including B12, folate and iron tested using nutrition designed blood test panels is often far more comprehensive than any blood tests you would get via your conventional medicine provider.  Visit our blood testing services to find out how to get your blood test today.

At NatNutHC we have supported numerous clients throughout London and the South of England especially those living in Epsom, Surrey and Sussex, UK.  We have helped them to achieve many health benefits including increased energy, reduced fatigue, less aches and pains, increased vitality, improved sleep, weight reduction and increased mobility.

We run clinics online or in person in Epsom or Worcester Park, Surrey.  Find out more here.

If you would like more information on the best diet and supplements for your particular needs, or want to find out more about naturopathic nutrition and functional medicine can help to increase your energy,  get in touch today via:  info@natnuthc.co.uk, or visit our website: www.natnuthc.co.uk and book your free 15-minute no obligation discovery call.

You can visit our energy clinic here for more information.

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