NAPLES PHYSICIAN HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF TAKING DAILY SUPPLEMENTS

While we are surrounded by an abundance of food options, nutritional intake is an often-overlooked component of our health. According to the Linus Pauling Institute’s Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University, “Overall adherence to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines is low: the majority of Americans do not follow a healthy eating pattern. Together with physical inactivity, eating an energy-rich, nutrient-poor diet predisposes one to many chronic diseases.”

The Center notes that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture identified several nutrients of “public health concern” because “low intake may lead to adverse health effects.” These nutrients include Vitamin D, calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and iron. Additionally, the department identified several “shortfall nutrients” due to their underconsumption by the U.S. population. These nutrients are Vitamins A, C, and E, choline, and magnesium. As noted by a recent CNN news article and headline: “As U.S. life expectancy lags, nutritional deficiency is often an overlooked factor.”

Internal medicine specialists Dr. Diane Brzezinski, D.O., and Dr. Michael Hellman, D.O. certainly don’t overlook nutrition regarding the health of their Naples, Florida-area patients. In fact, nutritional screening is an important component of their holistic treatment and the management of their patients’ health. To ensure the nutritional health of their patients, Dr. B’s medical practice offers a complete line of all-natural vitamins and supplements called nutraceuticals because of their specific health-benefit-boosting nutritional values.

WHY WE NEED SUPPLEMENTS TO BOLSTER OUR DAILY NUTRITION

While poor diets significantly contribute to nutritional deficiencies, even those who diligently eat healthy foods struggle to consume and absorb all the nutrients needed daily to maintain optimal health. Consuming all the right nutritional foods daily is challenging enough, but other factors also impact nutritional intake, absorption, utilization, and retention. And the challenge increases as we age because our digestive systems become less efficient at nutrient absorption.

As you might suspect, smoking and alcohol consumption negatively impact our nutritional health. Smoking inhibits the absorption of several nutrients and impedes the body’s ability to utilize Vitamin D. Alcohol can impair the liver’s ability to store and release essential nutrients when needed, while excessive alcohol consumption damages the stomach lining and intestines, reducing their ability to absorb nutrients.

If you have a medical condition and/or rely on certain medications, you should ask your doctor if either could be affecting nutritional intake. Some common medical issues with a known impact on nutritional health include:

• Liver disease
• cancer
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Chronic acid reflux
• Cystic fibrosis
• Celiac disease
• Lactose intolerance
• HIV/AIDS
• Tuberculosis
• Short bowel syndrome
• Chronic stress
• Gluten sensitivity
• Genetic mutations
• Gastrointestinal surgery

Medications that can impede the body’s ability to absorb, utilize, and retain nutrients include:

• Antacids
• Diuretics
• Statins
• Antibiotics
• Metformin
• Steroids
• Anti-seizure drugs
• Oral contraceptives

NUTRACEUTICAL SUPPLEMENTS WITH DR. B

To ensure the nutritional health of their patients in the Naples area, Dr. B and Dr. Hellman rely on all-natural nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical grade, specifically formulated nutrient supplements that are regulated by the FDA. Formulated for maximum absorption by the body, Dr. B’s extensive line of nutraceuticals is vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free, and contains no GMOs. Dr. B and Dr. Hellman determine which nutraceuticals will best optimize the health of their patients by conducting nutritional screening, assessing overall health, and accounting for medical conditions, medications, and any other factors that might affect nutritional health.

HOW DR. B’S PRACTICE CAN BOOST YOUR NUTRITIONAL HEALTH IN NAPLES

Eating a healthy diet with vitamin and mineral supplements as needed to cover potential nutritional shortfalls goes a long way in supporting overall health. Combined with other holistic health management measures, Dr. B’s practice excels at keeping their patients healthy and in treating and managing the wide gamut of medical conditions. To learn more about how a holistic health management approach can optimize your health in the Naples, Florida, area, schedule an appointment with Dr. B or Dr. Hellman by calling (239) 261-9990.