Beve Kindblade: Seattle Nutritionist » Wellness

Having Elective Surgery? Avoiding Aspirin is not enough!

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 01:54:10 +0000

Getting a Colonoscopy? Having a Tooth Extracted?

You may have already had a colonoscopy, a tooth extraction or elective surgery and received paperwork about the “prep,” liquid diets, when to stop eating and to avoid aspirin.

But should you also stop taking any or all of the nutritional supplements too?

The answer may be “yes!”

Any procedure that might involve bleeding (such a snipping a polp for biopsy during a colonoscopy or having a tooth extracted or a procedure to clear up your sinuses or other elective surgery) means that your blood will need to clot in order for you to heal.

Most sheets from your doctor or clinic will tell you to avoid aspirin, but you should also stop taking fish oil, CoQ10 and vitamin E supplements too at least one week before these procedures. Why? These supplements are natural blood “thinners.” And your blood needs to clot in an expected amount of time after any type of surgical procedure so your body can heal properly .

Questions about medications to take or avoid?

That is outside my scope of practice in nutrition – ask your doctor, nurse practitioner and pharmacists about those!

Nutritionists and Nutrition Consultants – Where’s the Standard for the Title?

admin — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:32:31 +0000

Health insurance companies and state departments of licensing for healthcare providers require a credentialing process where healthcare professionals must prove their education, training and continuing education requirements before the provider is deemed “legitimate” to practice. But if you pay cash and do not use or have health insurance, the nutrition professional you are seeing may or may not be qualified. Until we have a national standard for the term “nutritionist,” just about anyone in most states can set up a practice and advertise – so ask about education, training and experience before making that first appointment! Take a look at some of the training and you would be shocked! Do you really want to be seeking advice from someone with less than a year of training after high school? Just do an internet search for nutritionist training programs and prepare to be amazed.

The “Registered Dietitian “(RD) credential is the minimal standard that most insurance companies, hospitals, long-term care and school districts require. Why should you even care? Because everyone needs to see a qualified nutritionist at least 2 times a year. Why is seeing a qualified nutritionist necessary? Because 8 of the top 10 diseases in the US have a connection to food and lifestyle. And prevention and wellness guidance from a qualified nutrition consultant is so much cheaper than disease interventions.

Can you imagine if there were no national standards for the education and training of physicians and nurses? Do doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals other than nutritionists really have the time and expertise to be the sole providers of nutrition advise? Most of the time they are. It’s about time that the extensive education, training and continuing education requirements of legitimate nutrition professionals are recognized and appreciated. But does anyone besides me really care?

Power Foods To Extend Your Life?

admin — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:48:05 +0000

So what do dark chocolate (70+% cacao), raw almonds, fresh fruits and vegetables (organic or locally grown preferred), garlic, fatty fish (salmon, halibut, sardines) and a glass of red wine (or dark purple grape juice) all have in common?

According to recent research, these foods eaten everyday could add 4.8 years to a woman’s life or 6.6 years to a man’s life - so eat, drink and extend your life.

Dancing, laughing, great sex and a good night’s sleep helps too!