Dietitians are unsung heroes in healthcare. They enable patients and clients to embrace food with pleasure through scientific analysis that’s personalized to each of their individual needs.
Dietitians require both a bachelor’s degree and extensive, rigorous university training before becoming Registered Dietitians (RDs). Unfortunately, public understanding of this distinction between an RD and unregulated “nutritionists” remains inadequate – with significant ramifications for public health.
The Role of Dietitians in Managing Chronic Diseases
Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition who use research and medical evidence to translate research findings into actionable advice that will assist people in eating for health. Toronto Dietitians collaborate with clients and their families as well as healthcare providers in managing nutrition to promote health promotion and disease prevention while supporting treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.
Registered Dietitians differ from non-dietitians by being provincially regulated health professionals who possess either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in dietetics from an accredited university-based program, have completed extensive and rigorous coursework at university-based educational facilities and adhere to the Principles of Professional Practice.
Just as you wouldn’t ask a celebrity for engineering advice, only professional dietitians are qualified to advise on diet. That is why dietitians are typically covered by insurance plans making them accessible for all Canadians and providing personalized dietary recommendations.
Cancer
Cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments can have a substantial impact on an individual’s long-term nutrition goals, making dietitians invaluable partners in managing symptoms, nutritional requirements and food safety concerns.
Medical nutrition therapy can improve cancer patients’ treatment tolerance and quality of life, reduce unplanned hospitalizations and interruptions to chemotherapy protocols, prevent weight loss, as well as any nutrient deficiencies which might interfere with its effectiveness.
Registered dietitians with expertise in oncology can offer patients nutritional guidance before, during, and post cancer treatments. This may involve suggesting nutritional supplement drinks and providing enteral or parenteral nutrition support with tubes inserted into stomach or intestines or veins for direct delivery into bloodstream. They can also assess risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels that lead to symptoms like excessive thirst, increased hunger, frequent urination and fatigue. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) help those living with diabetes manage their condition by teaching them healthy eating practices that reduce glucose levels while satisfying appetite and encouraging proper blood circulation.
RDNs work alongside health professionals like doctors, nurses and pharmacists to provide evidence-based nutrition care. Current Ontario policy permits anyone to call themselves “nutritionist”, regardless of education or training; in contrast RDs are regulated by provincial dietetic regulatory bodies and must abide by stringent codes of practice; thus providing more credible advice that avoids trends or gimmicks (UnlockFood 2020). Interestingly two of three dietitians interviewed stressed the importance of better histories being taken by GPs as well as annual screening for prediabetes in order to allow earlier intervention (UnlockFood 2020).
Heart Disease
Heart disease refers to any condition involving your heart or blood vessels that requires medical intervention such as medication or surgery for treatment and prevention. Treatment options can range from lifestyle modifications, medication or surgery.
Your heart pumps blood through blood vessels throughout your body, providing vital energy sources to organs such as your brain.
Damage can come in various forms, from problems with valves, muscles and electrical system to plaque build-up in your arteries that leads to angina or even a heart attack.
Some types of heart disease may be hereditary, while other sources such as medical conditions, medications or pregnancy complications can contribute to it as well. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Australia – these include coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and heart failure.
COPD
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to two conditions that interfere with breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both conditions make breathing increasingly difficult as your airways narrow over time.
COPD symptoms usually progress over time and worsen with age, but occasionally your symptoms worsen quickly — this is called an exacerbation.
Dietitians can help manage symptoms and enhance quality of life through personalized nutritional assessments, guidance and ongoing support from personalized dietary experts. Dietitians also assist with healthy lifestyle advice such as quitting smoking. Dietitians play an integral part of comprehensive care for people living with COPD or chronic diseases – they make great partners alongside medical and respiratory professionals.