We hear much talk about nutrition. But, have you ever heard discussed what the goals of a healthy nutrition program should achieve? Possibly not. Here’s what we tell our patients. Many patients come to us because they’re interested in hormone replacement therapy – but not all – and not all need it….yet.
A well-designed nutrition program is critical to optimizing the results of hormone replacement, and even in delaying its need. In other words, all patients can benefit from a program with the following goals in mind.
Nutrition Program Goals
Our nutrition program is designed to achieve three goals.
- Maximize the results of your natural hormone production or hormone replacement therapy
- Prevent acute and chronic disease
- Increase metabolism and energy
There are three main components to an overall lifestyle program that we design for patients.
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Exercise program (resistance, aerobic, and high intensity interval training)
- Nutrition program (including use of supplements)
Of the three the Nutrition Program is the most important as illustrated below. Studies show that the benefits of hormone replacement are increased up to two-fold when coupled with a proper nutrition and exercise program. Too many patients error thinking hormone replacement is the only answer – and so do too many physicians.
Let’s look at each of these Nutrition Program goals.
Maximizing Results
A major goal of our medically supervised program is to optimize human growth hormone levels. In adults, growth hormone is a repair and rejuvenation hormone. Growth hormone is close in structure to another hormone called insulin. Most actions of growth hormone are mediated by its metabolite, insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
Insulin regulates blood sugar levels and is released in response to sugar in the diet. Growth hormone (IGF-1) and insulin share the same receptors site on the cell since they look much alike. If insulin levels are high then growth hormone cannot bind to the cell and exert its many health benefits.
Our Nutrition Program is designed to keep blood sugar levels low, and thus, insulin levels low. This is known as a low glycemic diet. Low glycemic eating allows for the optimal uptake of growth hormone and efficient use of insulin – just enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar levels.
Preventing Disease
Heart disease and cancer have been and continue to be the two leading causes of death despite all the so-called advancements in treatment. Along with diabetes and obesity they are diseases that are largely related to poor dietary choices. The combination of diabetes and obesity is now referred to as diabesity and is becoming an epidemic.
The average American diet is overwhelmed with refined sugar and flour, saturated and trans fats, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, antibiotics, and pesticide residues and other substances toxic to the body. Much food consumed in our diets is devoid of nutrition yet filled with empty calories.
With time such a diet exacts its toll on our health leading to the inflammation, glycation, and free radical production found at the root of most chronic diseases. These processes also accelerate the aging process. These unhealthy “ingredients” need to be avoided in your diet as much as possible.
Increasing Metabolism
What do most middle-aged individuals want from their health? If you took all their responses and distilled then down into a single word what would that word be? I believe it would be ENERGY. People want to feel energetic. They want enough stamina to get through their workday with enough energy left over to enjoy life – even those who are fortunate to enjoy their work.
Our Nutrition Program is geared to feed your human engine with the high-octane fuel it needs to maximize performance physically, mentally, and emotionally. It emphasizes nutrient dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and essential high quality fats.
We believe that a low glycemic eating program is the best way to maintain optimal hormone levels while reducing risk of chronic disease and providing enough energy to enjoy life.
In fact, our whole program is aimed at improving energy levels. Hormones will improve energy. Exercise will improve energy. And, proper nutrition based on sound principles improves energy, too.
Not all nutrition programs are the same. Follow a nutrition program that has these goals in mind and graduate to better health.
