|  | | Nutrition
The basis of our interest in nutrition is threefold. First, there is a large and growing body of evidence that proper nutrition can reduce or eliminate the expression of craniofacial defects. Much of my life's work has been dedicated to repairing congenital defects of the face, and it is widely known that prenatal vitamin support can reduce the occurance of these defects. There is additional evidence that early intervention with folic acid and B vitamins can minimize the expression of some gene defects in patients when taken intranataly or even following birth. It’s also well known that folic acid can prevent the defect for spinal bifida. We are interested in trying to prevent birth defects if possible or at least minimize their effect. This can best be done in a preconception mode so that the mother’s health is optimal prior to conception. There are methods of testing for risk of certain of these defects, and prenatal and intranatal vitamin therapies can be tailored based on that testing.
Second, Nutrition has always been an important component in our post-operative care, as it is critical to the healing process. Proper nutritional support helps our patients recover more quickly, more completely, and reduces followup care and complications, giving a better result with less risk.
Third, we see proper nutrition, along with exercise, as a cornerstone of good health and overall wellness. There is a probability link with breast, prostrate and colon cancer related to nutrition and folic acid defects and probably also to Alzheimer’s disease. Folic acid seems to be more and more important as we learn more of its effects on the inflammatory system and homocystein and the connecting glial cells, which are the inflammatory cells in the brain.When there is a clear relationship between good health and an easily controllable factor, as there is with diet and nutrition, good sense requires that we encourage our patients to make healthy choices.
As new information becomes available about nutrition and its effects on the healing process; on its role in prevention of birth defects of the kind we see so frequently, we are becoming more proactive about nutritional counseling and making it a cornerstone of the practice.
Supplementation
Weight Loss
Pregnancy & Prenatal
Pre-Exercise
Post-Exercise
Blood Profiling
Vitamins & Minerals
Hydration
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