Why Are Therapeutic Diets Used?

A therapeutic diet is essentially what it says it is -- therapy for your body. Diet plays a key role in how well our bodies function, so what you eat can affect your health in either a positive or negative way. While you can create your own therapeutic diet to manage things such as fatigue or stress, doctors or dietitians can prescribe a therapeutic diet. Be sure to ask questions and fully understand the limitations of the diet and the reasoning behind it to get the greatest benefit.

Controlling Weight

• One of the most common reasons a therapeutic diet is used is to control weight -- either gaining or losing it. Those who are seriously underweight must be careful how and what they eat in order to avoid throwing essential body systems out of whack. Alternatively, overweight or obese individuals may need a therapeutic diet to safely and effectively lose weight, especially if they have a serious medical condition.

Managing Diseases & Disorders

• Many common diseases or disorders, such as coronary artery disease and diabetes, require a therapeutic diet. Sometimes the use of a therapeutic diet can eliminate the need for medications to help treat these conditions. Alternately, a therapeutic diet can help reduce the side effects or problems associated with medical treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis.

Mental & Emotional Health

• Research dating as far back as Hippocrates indicates that our mental and emotional capacities are extremely sensitive to what we eat, and more recent studies have been able to identify key nutritional factors in promoting good brain chemistry. Therapeutic diets sometimes are used to help promote mental or emotional health and well-being and reduce the symptoms of illnesses such as depression, anxiety or ADHD.