Unit 12
Alternative Approaches to Diet and Nutrition

Nutrition is a rapidly developing science with new discoveries being continually reported and new theories generated about its role in disease and health. There is little dispute about the importance and functions of many nutrients. However, alternative medicine practitioners often promote levels of nutrient intake much higher than the recommended nutrient intake as necessary to produce optimum health. These practitioners also promote high intakes of substances that are not recognized as essential nutrients or promote diet regimens that have often not been scientifically proven to prevent or cure disease. This unit examines alternative theories of nutrition and disease as well as some commonly recommended nutritional supplements.

Objectives

When you have completed this unit, you should be able to

1. discuss megavitamin and mineral use, dietary supplements, and alternative diet regimens.
2. identify situations where alternative approaches to diet and nutrition are commonly used.
3. determine the effectiveness of alternative approaches to diet and nutrition by analysing the available research.
4. identify trends and issues related to alternative diet therapies.