What should we pay attention to in functional nutrition?
The biological systems we have work with each other in a certain rhythm and cooperation. For example, our brain is in communication with our intestines and our intestines with our skin, and any discomfort that occurs may not only belong to the area where the symptom is seen. Our body has a biological ecosystem and a dynamic communication network. Functional nutrition is a practice that adopts the principles of functional medicine and evaluates the factors in interacting biological systems with their root causes. It approaches with a personalized comprehensive nutritional assessment based on the patient's current health status and with a solution that addresses all systems. This approach is shaped according to the person's lifestyle and needs.
So how does functional nutrition do this?
“How can a nutritional approach unravel the root cause of a disease and restructure health?” you might think. The first step is to identify and remove foods that are no longer good for you in your diet, and replace these foods with foods that will activate or support the body's self-healing systems. For example, milk and dairy products that we know are healthy may be a cause of intolerance for you. In summary, your functional nutrition program is prepared in such a way that it can serve your health and absorb all your individual and biological differences.
Features of the functional nutrition plan
Every food we eat is a message to our current health and an investment in our future health. Nutrition from nature directly affects our metabolism, inter-system communication and positive/negative gene expression. Our genes are not our destiny. It is up to us to choose which gene to activate and which to leave dormant with the right foods. The most accurate way to determine this is the elimination diet.
Elimination diet
The elimination diet is a diet that lasts 4-6 weeks used to help people with food intolerance or sensitivities identify which foods are contributing to their symptoms. An elimination diet can also reduce the level of inflammation in the body by relieving symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and nausea.
Feeding with rainbow colors
Phytochemicals or phytoesters are chemicals produced by plants. They give plants color, taste and smell. While protecting plants from pesticides and environmental factors, each color has its own benefits. The important thing here is to consume the whole food. Eating a wide variety of seasonal and organic foods and using food as instruments between us and nature is perhaps the best thing we can do for our biological rhythm.
Including the right fats in every meal
When it comes to fat, there is a tendency to remove or reduce it completely from the diet. In fact, fat consumption is necessary for our body to function properly. By choosing the right oil, we get enough energy, reduce inflammation, protect heart health, and facilitate the work of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K. Unrefined, cold-pressed olive oil and ghee are our first choices. Olive oil is a powerful antioxidant and is rich in polyphenols. In addition, it is very important to include avocados, olives, oily fish, nuts and oil seeds in the diet in terms of essential oil intake.
Reducing coffee, sugar and alcohol consumption
Current research has determined that refined sugar can suppress our immune system for hours after consumption. Limiting starch and sugar regulates blood glucose by preventing the sudden release of insulin and contributes to overall health. Reducing the consumption of sugar, alcohol and caffeine also reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases by reducing inflammation in the body.
Restricting milk and dairy products
Milk and dairy products, gluten, soy and alcohol can be counted among foods that are difficult to tolerate. Many of us can develop an allergy/intolerance to milk and its products due to the A1 casein and lactose content. Since the milk we consume today contains additives such as antibiotics, growth factors and allergenic protein, milk has become an industrialized food by moving away from its natural structure. It is a priority to remove foods that we are sensitive to or may show from our diet, as they may cause inflammation in the body. Vegetable milks can be preferred instead of milk. You can include more calcium-rich dark leafy greens, sardines, broccoli and almonds in your diet.
