Nutrition is important and everyone can benefit from general information regarding food intake, regardless of their age, size or health. General nutrition information provides basic guidelines for healthy eating to prevent certain chronic conditions and to optimize energy levels. It comes in many forms (such as Canada’s Food Guide), but isn’t intended to treat medical conditions.
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT), on the other hand, is a more comprehensive approach than general nutrition information; it is designed to help a person successfully manage a chronic condition while meeting their nutritional needs. When it comes to diabetes, MNT can go a long way to help manage the condition and alleviate symptoms.
What is MNT?
MNT is an evidence-based way to improve a person’s health through nutrition and lifestyle changes. It is based on decades of medical research on the relationship between diet, food and health outcomes. This research has taught us that specific foods or eating patterns can help manage certain health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease and digestive issues. MNT not only addresses existing medical conditions but also attempts to lower the risk of new medical conditions.
Who is a candidate for MNT?
MNT can be a very effective component of an overall management plan for a number of common conditions. People with the following conditions can benefit from MNT:
Diabetes: MNT is the cornerstone of diabetes management. Studies have shown that this therapy can lower A1C by up to 3%.
Heart disease: Research demonstrates that MNT can reduce risk factors for heart disease, such as high LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), triglycerides and blood pressure.
Cancer: The primary role of MNT in cancer treatment is to help individuals with poor appetite, which is a common symptom of cancer medications and therapies.
Digestive conditions: People with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease, as well as those who’ve lost part of their intestinal tract due to surgery, can all benefit from MNT to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Kidney disease: MNT is important for people with kidney disease who need to adjust their diet to avoid complications, such as high levels of calcium and potassium in the blood, low iron levels, poor bone health and kidney failure.
What does MNT involve?
The 3 main components of MNT are:
1. Assessment
MNT is an intensive, focused and comprehensive nutrition therapy service that involves an in-depth individualized nutrition assessment using individual and medical record data, evidence-based guidelines and professional judgment to determine a nutrition diagnosis and intervention. During this step, the dietitian will assess nutritional status and evaluate the individual’s nutritional needs. The dietitian will also ask many questions about food habits, eating practices, food likes/dislikes, portion sizes, etc. It’s helpful to keep a food diary for a few days before meeting with the dietitian.
2. Nutrition counselling
This component of MNT includes the provision of individualized advice and guidance. Working with the individual’s physician or nurse practitioner, the goal is to identify options and methods for improving nutritional status. This step addresses the person and their lifestyle as a whole and defines goals for eating times, types of foods to eat more or less of, portion sizes and supplements, if necessary. The dietitian will provide a written meal plan or structured eating guide to follow.
3. Follow-up
MNT relies heavily on follow-up over multiple visits where the dietitian will monitor and evaluate progress by reviewing lab tests, medication or health changes. These visits are also important for discussing any challenges the individual is experiencing with the plan and to explore solutions to these challenges with the dietitian.
What are the benefits of MNT?
The following are a few of the benefits of MNT:
1. Improve symptoms and prevent further complications
MNT can slow the progression of the medical condition and may even reverse or stop some of the symptoms. For example, when a person with diabetes is able to maintain their blood glucose levels in target range, they may experience fewer symptoms such as frequent urination and thirst.
2. Feel better
Improved nutrition intake and habits can increase overall energy levels, resulting in improved quality of life.
3. Weight management
Improved nutrition may result in weight reduction. Many chronic conditions are worsened with excess weight, so weight loss may be a primary goal of MNT for some individuals.
MNT is often the first treatment that individuals receive to improve conditions such as diabetes. A registered dietitian is best equipped to provide this service. One thing to always keep in mind is that MNT is meant to complement the advice given by other members of the healthcare team. It is not meant to replace a doctor’s recommendation for treatment or medication.
