Prevent Heart Disease and Other Common Chronic Conditions with Our Nutrition Counseling

Chronic health conditions are those that affect you for many years. Common examples include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, along with many others. Although some of the risk factors for such conditions are outside of your control, nutrition can be a powerful preventive tool.

At A Woman’s Wellspring, Stephanie Taylor, MD, PhD, and her staff work to help you reach optimal health through primary care, supportive counseling, and complementary medicine. By taking a whole-person approach to your health and addressing your needs as an individual, Dr. Taylor takes the time to build a relationship and help you achieve true healing. 

Often, this slower, more thorough approach to healing includes nutritional counseling. With so much contradictory information about nutrition out there, it can be confusing to figure out what should be quite simple: What should you eat for good health? 

Personalization is the key

The perfect nutritional plan for you may not be the same as the perfect nutritional plan for your closest friend, your spouse, or your neighbor—though it’s likely they share some common elements. Before creating a nutritional plan, Dr. Taylor discusses your overall health with you, completes a physical examination, and does blood work.

Understanding what can help you feel great now and help you avoid chronic disease in the future requires a clear idea of your health, risks, and lifestyle. For example, if you have a family history of heart disease, Dr. Taylor takes that into account when designing a nutritional plan for you. 

The basics of good nutrition

Although your nutrition plan may contain specifics based on your unique circumstances, good nutrition for most people is built on some foundational principles.

Most nutritional plans base their plans on a varied diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, some lean protein, and some healthy fats. Depending on your goals and needs, your meals may include less or more protein, be plant-based, and have a certain number of calories.

Generally, more vegetables, lean protein sources like beans or fish, some whole grains, and some fats from avocados, nuts, or olive oil are good guidelines. 

Supplements

If you need supplements, Dr. Taylor can make recommendations. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, it can be difficult to know what to take. We provide safe and effective herbal therapies and supplements. 

Along with supplements, your nutritional counseling may include help learning stress reduction techniques and advice on physical activities that could improve your health. 

Research on food and health

The American College of Cardiology reports that nearly half of deaths due to cardiovascular disease are related to diet. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes “eat healthy” along with things like “quit smoking” in its list of ways you can prevent chronic disease. 

Chronic disease is incredibly common, with around 6 in 10 adults in the US diagnosed with at least one condition, and chronic diseases are the cause of 70% of deaths globally. Nutrition is a crucial method limiting your risk of being part of those statistics—plus, good nutrition helps you to feel great.

If you’d like to learn more about nutritional counseling at A Woman’s Wellspring, schedule an appointment with Dr. Taylor today.