Dietitians are the only legally-recognized health professionals that can prescribe diets in medical conditions. As a registered dietitian, I can help you prevent, manage or treat the following conditions (among others):
- Artificial nutrition: dietetic input is essential when a person is on tube or parental feeds.
- Cancer: nutritional therapy in oncology can improve quality of life, improve response to treatment, and help mitigate side effects of treatment.
- Cardiovascular disease: cardiovascular diseases include conditions such as high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, or heart failure. A well-planned personalized diet will result in significant improvements, and often it can eliminate the need for medications.
- Diabetes: an appropriate diet is essential in all forms of diabetes including Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, LADA and MODY in order to achieve blood glucose control and prevent co-morbidities.
- Disease of the liver and gallbladder: conditions such as fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and inflammation and/or removal of the gallbladder all necessitate specific dietary recommendations to control symptoms and maintain optimal health.
- Eating disorders: the dietitian is a crucial component of the team of health professionals in the management of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
- Gastrointestinal disease: the range of gastrointestinal diseases is vast but practically all can be improved (and sometimes treated) through specific diet plans. Such conditions include inflammation or insufficiency of the pancreas, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease), irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies and intolerances, cystic fibrosis, diverticular disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, short bowel syndrome and bowel resections (colostomies & ileostomies), constipation, diarrhea, bloating.
- Neurological disorders: in these disorders, dietary intervention can help preserve muscle mass and function, and improve quality of life.
- Pediatric nutrition: children can encounter several nutritional issues, such as failure to grow, food sensitives, or picky eating. The dietitian can provide invaluable help in these cases.
- Renal disease: diseases of the kidneys including chronic kidney disease and renal stones are highly responsive to dietary management. For example, a balanced low protein diet can slow down disease progression in early stage kidney disease, and low oxalate diet can prevent further episodes of calcium oxalate stones.
- Respiratory disease: diseases of the lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or disorders such as sleep apnea, necessitate specific dietary changes. For example, a tailored diet can reduce or completely resolve sleep apnea, and it can bring about improvements in health and well-being in COPD.
- Rheumatic disease: these include gout, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Dietetic intervention can help prevent flare-ups, reduce symptoms, and maintain optimal health.
- Surgery: specific types of surgery will necessitate special dietetic preoperative and/or postoperative care. This include bariatric surgery and any surgery that involves the gastrointestinal tract.