Therapeutic Nutrition: Use It or Lose It!
by Galen O. Ballard
(Published in December 1998 Issue of Chiropractic Products Journal)
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A survey and six studies reported in the November 11th edition of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that more Americans than ever - four in ten adults - are becoming purchasers of alternative medical therapies. This has created today's $21.2 billion industry with nutritional supplementation leading the way. To fully appreciate how rapidly the alternative health field is growing, consider that just three short years ago this figure was $14 billion!

The Doctor of Chiropractic should logically be the provider of sound nutritional therapy as both modalities stress that the body has the inherent ability to heal itself with the proper resources and treatment procedures. "Nutritional supplementation should be prescribed and supervised by the Doctor of Chiropractic," emphatically states the American Chiropractic Association.

A mere three years ago the Trends Research Institute study, "The New Millennium Chiropractor," warned the profession to overcome its highly specialized public image and seize the opportunity to become the wellness doctors of the new millennium. "Just as patients who go to medical doctors have come to expect prescriptions for drugs - so too, patients will go to chiropractors and expect to be given the proper balance of vitamins, minerals, supplements and herbs as part of their visit," the Trends' study predicted.

Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out that way! The Chiropractic profession has failed to prepare itself for this vital role. Other health care providers -most notably the pharmacy profession - is now assuming the role once regarded as the domain of chiropractic. And this could prove disastrous in the very near future.

The Trends study further stated that diet and vitamin counseling have not been seized upon, implemented, and exploited systematically and responsibly by any other single group of health professionals. "By recognizing these two opportunities and acting upon them at the early stages, chiropractic can formalize these disciplines and become universally regarded as the leading experts", the Trends report continued.

This advance opportunity, for the most part, went unheeded by the profession. It's as though the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research could have conserved their funds and allowed the pharmacy industry to commission this study! Consider the following excerpts from the October 1998 issue of Retail Pharmacy News, "By incorporating new dispensing technology and relying more heavily on pharmacy technicians, pharmacists' time can be freed for patient care services such as counseling patients concerning vitamins, natural products, and nutritional supplements in our added role as gatekeepers." Unquote. I distinctly remember reading something a few years back about the chiropractic profession assuming this role.

Before leaving the Trends study, lets take another look at yet another important observation which was all but ignored by the profession. "When it comes to vitamins and supplements, the consumer (half America) is confronted by product chaos and no single trusted source of advice". Unquote. Now lets move forward in time to the August 1998 issue of Retail Pharmacy News and read what it has to say under the headline 'With Herbs, Knowledge Is Power'. Community pharmacy is moving fast to rectify an imbalance in the marketing of herbs which will position pharmacists as consulting experts. Rite Aid, Eckerd, ShopKo, Medic, Pathmark, wholesalers and independents throughout the United States are stepping up efforts to turn today's educational vulnerability into a strength.

It is important to note that consumer polls consistently rate pharmacists as the number one most trusted health professional in America. And they take it seriously. "Avoid stocking trendy or unproven products and stick with the basics," Pharmacy Today urges its readers. "The trend in supplements is toward science-based information supported in the literature," the article continues.

And where in comparison does the chiropractic profession stand regarding its image and expertise in therapeutic nutrition? I'm reading an ad in a well known chiropractic publication about a wondrous product, promoted by chiropractors, which claims to enable patients to lose weight and build muscle mass while they sleep. An eight-grade biology student knows that even anabolic steroids won't build muscle mass unless you exercise while taking them! Worse, the product is heavily concentrated with aloe, a powerful diuretic which can cause severe dehydration and promote an electrolytic imbalance in the body. I turn the page and a full color ad leaps out at me. 'Have your patients sell our nutritional products and acquire that new Mercedes you always wanted' The nutritional products are not even mentioned, they appear to be almost incidental to building wealth!

Is this the public image you want projected concerning the use of nutritional therapy in chiropractic practice? Do you really want your patients to ask themselves the question, "Is my chiropractor prescribing this product because it will benefit me or because it will enhance his monetary position?"

If the chiropractic community does not start to police itself and the Doctor of Chiro-practic fails to assume his or her professional responsibility for prescribing safe and effective nutrition, the profession will have only itself to blame when the FDA - in cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry - ensures that you are forever relieved of this chore.

Should you even care? A national study of DC's revealed that less than half prescribe nutrition in their practice. Of the 47 percent that did, only a mere 15 percent prescribed nutritional therapy extensively. (Brooks, M, "A Survey of DC's Ordering Wholesale Nutrition, Apr. 96, Titan Marketing, NY, NY)

"You better care!", asserts Dr. Clayton Hopkins of Largo, Florida. "The patient will keep returning to receive the benefits of therapeutic nutrition that relieves his problem or makes him feel good while the patient who has received an adjustment will not return so long as the problem does not return".

The author personally knows a chiropractor who, because of an accident, could no longer give adjustments. Fortunately, he had therapeutic nutrition as an ancillary modality and was able to continue his highly successful practice. Of course, these are purely personal reasons for choosing to prescribe therapeutic nutrition. How about your patients?

Chiropractors have long known that patients taking prescription drugs or recovering from major trauma, tissue damage and/or inflammation require 30 to 55 percent more calories of specific nutrition than normal. Now pharmacists realize it as well. "Patients who are taking particular medications may be suffering from vitamin depletion or other side effects, which the pharmacist may address with natural treatments," declares Pharmacy Today. (Talk about the best of both worlds. First sell the patient drugs that deplete the nutrients in his body, than sell him back the nutrients!)

The future of chiropractic can be enhanced and, indeed, may depend upon the proper knowledge and dispensing of therapeutic nutrition. To cite one example, in the last 10 years the number of patients with diabetes has skyrocketed. By the year 2010, the total number of known cases - currently at 8 million - will almost double as a result of an aging population and the accelerating obesity of the average American. Yet there are many important vitamins, dietary fibers, and herbs which improve glucose tolerance, control weight, ameliorate intestinal dysfunction, and improve longevity. If your patients cannot get these therapeutic nutrients from you, they will secure them from their M.D. or local pharmacist.

It would be most ironic if therapeutic nutrition, once the domain of Chiropractic, was preempted by the twin professions that have historically prescribed and promoted pharmaceutical drugs!

There are a multitude of reputable nutrition companies that wholesale proven and reliable therapeutic nutrition exclusively to Chiropractic professionals. Most of them offer money back guarantees. All of them support Chiropractic through donations and memberships in various local, state, and national chiropractic organizations. All of them have been in business for many years and stand ready to assist the Doctor of Chiropractic in expanding his or her practice and enhancing his or her income. They will still be here long after the scam artists have "taken the money and run."

Remember, you don't have to push nutritional therapy. You prescribe therapeutic nutrition as an important adjunct to the patient's overall treatment program. The patient will then understand that your purpose is to optimize his health, not promote products. The Doctor of Chiropractic who practices this philosophy and aligns him or herself with reputable vendors, will always prosper.