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3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

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3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

Guest Blog Post from Designs for Health

The 2002 World Health Report anticipated that by the year 2020 chronic non-communicable disease would attribute to 73% of all deaths and 60% of the global disease burden. In the report, The World Health Organization (WHO) stated the need for the “development of an integrated approach that will target all major common risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer and chronic respiratory diseases in the most cost-effective way to prevent and control them.” These assertions and statistics showcase the acute need for preventative medicine, which often includes the application of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, and the adoption of lifestyle changes and dietary habits.

Dietary supplements are nutritional substances formulated and intended to augment the diet by increasing the total dietary intake. The ingredients in dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, and amino acids.

According to the 2019 Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, 77% of U.S. adults report taking dietary supplements; however, a 2019 survey from AARP revealed 46% of consumers are concerned with the effectiveness of supplements. Moreover, 44% of supplement users question the purity and safety of ingredients, and 40% are concerned about testing transparency, according to the same survey.

 

Targeted supplementation implemented by Nutritional Therapy Practitioners can help to fill nutritional gaps, address nutrient deficiencies, and support the body’s vital metabolic processes where needed. Therefore, it’s critical to choose and recommend the highest quality dietary supplements available on the market to support desired health outcomes. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to identify key differentiators in innovation, formulation, ingredient selection, and manufacturing that influence product efficacy and quality. Here, we will discuss the importance of supplementation and three primary factors to consider when selecting ideal dietary supplements to ensure the highest quality for patient and client care.

Quality and Purity

Dietary supplements must meet FDA testing requirements. It is important to seek formulas and brands that go through several levels of quality control and testing before being sold to the public. Fortunately, there are practitioner-brand dietary supplement manufacturers that follow regulatory oversight adhering to current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that source only the highest quality raw materials for formulating their products. It’s essential to choose companies that are third-party audited and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to ensure public safety and to verify the formulas meet the highest levels of quality and purity, identity and strength, in addition to ensuring that their composition match the product label claims.

Label transparency is also a critical component in choosing the best dietary supplements for your clients/patients. For the best clinical outcomes, it’s imperative to recommend supplements that are formulated without common allergens (e.g., dairy, soy, gluten) or other potentially harmful excipients (i.e., other ingredients). Avoid products that use potentially harmful preservatives, genetically modified ingredients, artificial colors, and/or sweeteners, sugars, and other fillers that may be detrimental to desired health outcomes. Practitioners and clients must learn how to read and understand ingredient labels and supplement facts to prevent exposure to these often “hidden” ingredients.

Bioavailability

The term “bioavailability” refers to the amount or proportion of a substance, nutrient, or botanical that can be absorbed, enter the body’s circulation, and impart its physiological and biological effects. Supplements formulated to have high bioavailability will be more effective at achieving the desired health outcome, as they have better metabolic activity, remain in the serum longer, and do not break down as quickly. Manufacturing processes formulated to utilize specific nutrients, ingredients, technologies, and/or delivery methods that enhance the bioactive compound’s ability to enter circulation is an important factor when considering dietary supplementation.

 

Additionally, it’s equally important to choose products that leverage the latest scientific research and evidence and are formulated by using the optimal nutrient forms to ensure superior efficacy. Some nutrients are available in a more biologically identical and accessible form. For example, research shows that folate — specifically in the methylated or calcium folinate composition — is the more optimal, bioavailable form that promotes beneficial health outcomes over synthetic folic acid. Likewise, using amino acid-chelated mineral forms, such as magnesium bisglycinate or ferrous bisglycinate, improves bioavailability and can help decrease common unpleasant gastrointestinal effects, such as diarrhea or constipation, versus using elemental forms, such as magnesium oxide, ferrous sulfate.

Clinically Relevant Dosing

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97% to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group” based on scientific data, but when scientific evidence is not available, the Adequate Intake (AI) is used instead of the RDA, which is “based on experimentally derived intake levels or approximations of observed mean nutrient intakes by a group of healthy people. These values were calculated to avoid frank or overt nutrient deficiencies, but not necessarily to provide optimal health and wellness. The prevalence of environmental and lifestyle factors in Western societies further complicates and compounds nutrient demands, including nutrient-poor diets, improper digestion and absorption, medication-associated nutrient depletions, pre-existing conditions, inflammation, food sensitivities or allergies, and oxidative stress levels. These additional deterrents to achieving adequate nutrient status support supplementation above the current RDA and AI values established by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academies of Sciences.

 

Initial conditions of insufficiency are seen at a biochemical level often without any overt symptoms. As the duration of the insufficiency increases, additional changes appear in cellular function that can be seen as subclinical manifestations, and as the insufficiency progresses, morphological and functional changes occur that can be defined as early-stage disease. Nutrition may be the single most influential component of health maintenance since diet is the determining factor in many chronic diseases. Furthermore, certain nutrients are not efficacious unless they reach a certain amount in the serum. For these reasons, it is important to supplement above the RDAs and AIs to help replete the body with the micronutrients it needs to improve metabolic function and overall health.

As you approach client care and implement dietary supplements into your nutritional therapy protocols, consider these important factors regarding formulation (i.e., quality and purity, bioavailability, and clinically relevant dosing) to help determine the best options for your patients’ target health outcomes.

By Caitlin Higgins, MS, CNS, LDN
Technical Writer and Educational Content Developer for Designs for Health

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the NTA. They are intended for general information purposes, and are not to be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

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Nutritional Therapy vs Health Coaching: Where to Start, What to Look For, and How to Practice

Nutritional Therapy vs Health Coaching: Where to Start, What to Look For, and How to Practice

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Home » Posts Tagged "Health coaches"

Nutritional Therapy vs Health Coaching: Where to Start, What to Look For, and How to Practice

Nutritional Therapy vs. Health Coaching: Where to start, what to look for, and how to practice

Healthcare costs are continually on the rise. Chronic disease has reached epidemic proportions; it’s currently the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Six out of ten adults have at least one chronic disease, many of which have contributing lifestyle and nutrition risk factors. Education about holistic nutrition and lifestyle factors is key to improving health and reversing the cycle of chronic disease. It’s clear there’s a need for health educators in our current healthcare climate, and with a projected employment growth of 8% through 2029 — much faster than average — the job outlook for health educators is positive. With this clear and growing need for educators to help influence and improve the health of humanity, there has never been a better time to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.

Many educational institutions tout their health coaching certificate and nutrition training programs. With an overabundance of options, it leaves one wondering: What is the difference between nutritional therapy and health coaching? Which program is best? What does the certificate entail? Are there requirements to obtain a certificate? And what sort of health and wellness jobs are available? 

There are many routes one can take to become a health coach or nutrition coach. In this post, we will break down the complexities so that you can:

  • + Understand the important role of nutritional therapy and health coaches in today’s health environment
  • + Take a critical look at the validity of each certifying body
  • Observe the career opportunities of a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
  • + Determine if a career in nutritional therapy is right for you

 

What Is a Health Coach?

A Health Coach or Nutrition Coach is a professional who focuses on whole-body systems as individual factors that affect overall health. This includes, but is not limited to mind, body, and emotional factors. These are broad titles and can vary depending on certificate. Some examples are:

Nutrition and health coach certificate programs:

  • Institute of Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
  • National Society of Health Coaches
  • + ADAPT Health Coach Program
  • Primal Health Coach
  • Functional Diagnostic Nutrition
  • Kresser Institute
  • Nutrition Therapy Institute
  • Bauman College
  • Functional Nutrition Lab

Non-certified programs:

  • + Beachbody Health Coach
  • Arbonne Health Coach
  • Self-proclaimed Health Coach

 

What Is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner?

Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) or Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) is a holistic nutrition professional trained and recognized by the Nutritional Therapy Association. The focus of an (F)NTP is to help support individuals’ health and vitality through individualized holistic nutrition and lifestyle factors, as well as supporting nutritional and physiological deficiencies through the NTA’s Foundations. (F)NTPs are trained to support optimal function of the body by assessing and addressing the health of the diet, digestive system, blood sugar regulation system, fatty acid status, mineral balance, and hydration levels. (F)NTPs also incorporate analysis of lifestyle habits including sleep, stress, movement, and environmental considerations to provide holistic recommendations that drive client success.  

With this framework and focus, an (F)NTP can support their client in achieving their health goals so they can live life to the fullest. Even the most complex systems and processes of the body are heavily influenced by the Foundations an (F)NTP is trained to support. Instead of chasing symptoms and trying the next trend, working with an (F)NTP can help determine what your unique body needs to thrive and cut through the noise of health claims in the industry.  

 

What makes the NTA Program Different?

NTPs use a foundational and bio-individual approach to functional, holistic nutrition to balance body chemistry and achieve optimal wellness. NTPs are equipped to support the body’s innate ability to heal by addressing the importance of nutrient-dense food, anatomy and physiology, lifestyle choices, culinary wellness, client coaching, and how social and personal components influence health.   

Upon graduation, an NTP has received a minimum of 325 curricular hours across topics such as digestion, blood sugar regulation, anatomy and physiology, hydration, mineral balancing, and more. Here are just a few things that make the NTA unique and create a life-changing experience for students:

 

Instructor-led curriculum on a user-friendly, online learning platform

 

Unlike other schools, you’ll be taught by REAL people. Our instructors are holistic nutrition experts who are leading the charge in shifting the paradigm of health. They bring real-life examples of client cases, modern research, authoring books, and so much more directly to you in the classroom. As a student, you’ll have access to our online learning platform that will keep you and your studies organized. You’ll have support you need to learn, be successful, and connect right at your fingertips.

 

Bio-individual perspective

We firmly believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, meaning, we believe we are unique individuals who have unique nutritional needs. You won’t find single diet philosophies or diet trends within this curriculum. During the program, you’ll learn how to honor each individual’s unique needs as you work to help clients support their bodies, find balance, and restore function with nutritional therapy.

 

Curriculum rooted in science and history

When choosing a program, you should inspect the curriculum for proper sourcing and science-based information. For example, our academic and curriculum team incorporates three main principles into the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online program curriculum: evidence-based research, generational wisdom, and proven results in clinical practice. The foundations of our curriculum comes from a combination of the work of nutrition pioneers (like Weston A. Price and Dr. Francis M. Pottenger), medical research and articles, as well as the foundational, scientific principles of anatomy and physiology. You’ll be taught by experts in the field who have vast experience and education in holistic nutrition, and you’ll find credible citations throughout the entire program.

 

Mission Driven Community

We empower a passionate community of life-changing nutrition professionals to create a ripple effect that transforms lives and shifts the outlook of health to one of hope, today and for generations to come. The NTA community is dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable. Our instructors, staff, students, and graduates all share a common purpose and desire to help others. Just take a look at our Instagram feed: there are so many graduates out there making a difference, helping other feel their best, and making their own unique impact on the world of holistic nutrition.

 

What Can I Do as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner?

The focus of NTPs is to support an individual’s health and wellness with a nutrient-dense, whole-food nutrition approach as well as lifestyle support while supporting nutritional and physiological deficiencies through the NTA’s Foundations. NTPs are trained to help you find lasting health and wellness. NTPs are skilled and ready to begin practicing right away upon graduation. The wisdom you’ll gain from our program, paired with the excitement and drive that result, will provide you the opportunity to shape your career the way that YOU want.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do as a graduate of the NTA:

  • + Consult privately with clients
  • + Join a wellness center and work on a team of health care professionals
  • + Become a corporate wellness coach
  • + Nutrition and Health Blogger or Columnist
  • + Host of a wellness podcast
  • + Create wellness products/programs
  • + Develop a meal planning system for clients or organizations
  • + Lecture or speak at events and conferences
  • + Author books
  • + Improve their overall health, and the health of their families, friends, and communities
  • And so much more!

Our graduates are out there doing this important work. And you can join them! The world needs more Nutritional Therapy Practitioners. The career opportunities are endless, and there are so many people out there who need to hear from YOU.

 

 

 

Here’s why a few of our grads chose the NTP Program

 

 

Practicing as an NTP

The NTA is licensed as a private vocational school by the Washington State Workforce Board. We are also recognized by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). Our graduates are qualified to sit for the board exam to be become Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (R). The NANP ensures that the highest educational, professional and ethical standards are in place for those who belong to the association.

The state you live in will determine what you are able to call yourself and how you may practice. The Council of Holistic Health Educators is an advocacy organization that monitors nutrition laws in all 50 states and provides resources to support students of holistic nutrition schools and their professional members navigate the process of planning and setting up their business legally upon receiving their NTP certificate. Their legislative map links to each state’s law governing holistic nutrition practices, and the restrictions and/or exemptions to the law. If you have specific questions about your state law, you can reach COHHE staff at via the web at www.HolisticCouncil.org/contact or via email at contact@holisticcouncil.org.

You can also reach out to NTP graduates who are practicing in your state who are listed on our Provider Search. Many of our graduates are able to provide firsthand experience in navigating the intersection of the NTP Scope of Practice and the holistic nutrition laws in your state.

Our NTP Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics explains what NTPs are trained to do. In some states, many of our graduates work under the supervision of a licensed practitioner or can practice as nutrition educators. NTPs with advanced professional licenses such as RDs, NDs, DCs, RNs, and others may have additional opportunities to incorporate holistic nutrition care under these credentials as well.

 

Summary

Nutritional Therapy Practitioners and health coaches play a critical role in supporting health and wellness. It’s important to decide which characteristics you value most to determine which program is right for you and your career goals.

As an NTP student, you will be equipped to go out and make a serious impact. If you’d like to learn more and chat with our instructors and admissions team members, join us for our next webinar

 


 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

 

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Q&A with an NTP featuring Autumn Best

Q&A with an NTP featuring Autumn Best

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Home » Posts Tagged "Health coaches"

Q&A with an NTP featuring Autumn Best

 

Autumn Best is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, and Business Mentor. Just months after graduating from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online program, Autumn was able to take her business full-time and accomplish her goal of being her own boss. For the last year, Autumn has helped many people get to the root cause of their digestive issues and supported many NTPs on the road to building their own businesses. Check out what Autumn has to say about her experience becoming an (F)NTP and the advice she has for people ready to take the next step in building the career of their dreams. 


 

Tell us about yourself and your business:

I help women conquer annoying and debilitating digestive issues like reflux, bloat, constipation, excess gas, and so on. We get to the root cause and then support the body. It’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done and after a year of being in business, I still wake up every morning having to remind myself that this is the full-time job I GET to do.  

When I’m not helping other women feel their best, I’m spending time outdoors in Seattle with my 11-year-old dog Maxie, paddle boarding, taking and teaching hot pilates classes, traveling whenever and to wherever I can, and cooking up amazing nutrient dense food.

What made you decide to become an (F)NTP?

This was a very long time coming for me! My spark for holistic health and nutrition started over a decade ago, but I got wrapped up in the corporate world and my passion fell to the back burner. Fast forward to years of being told everything looked “fine” but knowing I could feel better – and the straw that broke the camel’s back was when I developed reflux a few years ago and I knew that PPI’s were just a band-aid and not the answer. I was determined to find the answer and I did when I got to the NTA’s digestion and elimination module. WOOHOO! 

I also knew that I was always meant to own a business and be my own boss. I was never quite sure how I’d get there but once I started class at the NTA, I knew this was it. This was the career for me. It all came together so seamlessly.

 

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome and if so, how did you overcome it?

I think this is something that most of us experience during and immediately after completing NTA training and there’s nothing wrong with that. My best advice for overcoming it is to graduate from the program knowing that you know more than you think you do and reminding yourself that you know more about holistic health than 99% of the population. Remember when you learned that adding sea salt to your water was important? The majority of people don’t know that tidbit or that they need to chew their food 20-30 times per bite. Scale back to what you didn’t know before the NTA and then teach people everything you’ve learned from that point forward. That’s a lot of amazing info!

How is your life different now than it was before the NTP program?

My life has changed in so many beautiful and unexpected ways since becoming an FNTP. I have a community I never had before of fellow nutrition geeks and holistic healers, a full-time job that has me pumped to spring out of bed every morning, and a freedom that I’ve never experienced before. Last, I have the knowledge to heal myself and my family, and that is invaluable.

What is some advice you would give students in the program working on building their business?

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. You just have to start! If you need guidance, that’s OK. Own that! Starting and building a business is hard work and there are a lot of moving parts. Sign up for the NTA’s career development course, or hire a business mentor to guide you through the process. I do 1:1 business mentoring and am happy to help. The more of us out there with successful businesses = more people getting the proper care and help they need to THRIVE. Know that the world needs NTP’s now more than ever. You’ve got this!

What goals do you have as an NTP?

Right now, I just want to help as many women as possible and continue to take my education and expertise deeper along the way. I’m a lifelong learner and I love to enhance people’s lives! A big project that I’d like to start soon is developing a guide or a course so that I can help even more people. There’s only so much time for 1:1 calls each day and the ability to reach more people with a course or guide would be insanely fulfilling to me.

Follow Autumn on Instagram @pilatesandpapaya or visit her website: crusadingwellness.com

Have more questions about becoming a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, what to expect from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online Program, or your next steps? Join us at an upcoming Info Session! NTA Instructors and our Admissions Team go LIVE every week to answer your questions and share everything you need to know about the program. See you on the webinar!

Want your recipe or article to be featured on our blog? Email our team Marketing@nutritionaltherapy.com with your full name, article, a short bio in third person, and a headshot. We may feature you in an upcoming blog post.

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

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