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Effective Nutritional Medicine
by Dr Damien Downing and others
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Outline
This document is the second in a series of position papers covering the areas of nutritional and environmental medicine. The first,
Effective Allergy Practice, was published in 1974. The third, dealing with Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity, is in preparation. The aim of each is to outline best practice, and the scientific evidence for it, in these
areas.
The extent of current knowledge and literature on nutrition is too vast for a single document. The aim of this paper therefore is to
highlight major areas of clinical and public health importance where nutrition can have an impact. Some basic principles are outlined,
and several major categories of illness addressed. Extensive references are provided in validation, so that the paper may serve as a
source of further literature regarding the statements made.
Introduction
- The reasons for, and the context of, this document are described, including the white paper 'Health of the Nation'.
Nutritional therapy
- The history and backgound of nutrition as therapy are outlined, and several fundamental principles are elucidated:
- Degrees of deficiency
- Biodiversity
- Free radicals and antioxidants
Strategies for primary prevention are then considered.
Cardiovascular disease
- Four main areas of proven importance to the development of such diseases are considered:
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Magnesium
- Antioxidants
In each of these, the underlying theories are discussed, current controversies are addressed, and stategies for prevention and
treatment are put forward.
Cancer
- Scientific consensus is that 40-60% of all cancers are related to diet. The major dietary factors identified so far are:
- Fats
- Fibre
- Carbohydrate ‹ as promotoers of cancerm and:
- Antioxidant nutrients ‹ as inhibitors and retarders of cancer. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis are discussed, and nutritional
measures for both prevention and treatment are evaluated.
Psychological disorders
- Several theoretical considerations are reviewed, then the subject is addressed under the following diagnostic headings:
- Anxiety: The links to diet and nutrition here are clear and strong, and the therapeutic potential great.
- Depression: Complex and heterogeneous, this category of mental illness does still respond to nutrition in a number of contexts.
- Bipolar affective disorder.
- Schizophrenia: As there is less data available on nutritional factors in these diagnoses, they are not covered in detail.
Reproduction
- Several theoretical considerations are reviewed, then the subject is addressed under the following headings:
- Nutrient-toxin interactions
- Toxins
- Nutrients
Other disorders
- Several other categories of health problems are considered in brief, for which less comprehensive data are available:
- Ageing and degenerative diseasesd
- Asthma
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Infections
Conclusion
- The Society's hopes for the future are stated.
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