Functional Nutrition NYC by Marc Bystock L.Ac.

I consider nutrition a foundational therapy for every patient I treat.  Not long ago, our digestive system was considered to be a simple process of breaking down food, absorption, and excretion. It is now understood to be a very complex system. Research shows that the gut contains more than 70% of the body’s immune system and maintains a strong link with the brain, mind, and mood.

The gut microbiome is primarily located in the large intestine and comprises between 300 and 500 distinct bacterial species. A few may be pathogenic, but most are necessary. They function to break down food and manufacture vitamins and other valuable nutrients.

The human body requires multiple nutrients to maintain optimal health. Many of the nutrients required cannot be synthesized internally and must be obtained from food.  Everyone needs four nutrients to provide the basic building blocks of a proper diet. These include water, protein, carbohydrates, and fats.

• Vitamin A deficiencies may cause: night blindness, low immune system function, dry skin, dry hair, fatigue, and rapid aging

• Vitamin B complex made of B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, and Para-Aminobenzoic Acid. Deficiencies of vitamin B complex may cause: fatigue, dysfunction of the nervous system, constipation, lack of muscle tone, cognitive decline and more

• Vitamin C deficiency may cause: slow cellular growth and repair, adrenal insufficiency, bleeding of the dental gums

• Vitamin D deficiency may cause: calcium malabsorption, osteoporosis, osteomalacia

• Calcium deficiency may cause: weak bones and teeth, irregular heartbeat, brittle nails, hypertension, nervousness and more

• Iodine-deficiency may cause: low thyroid function, fatigue, low metabolism, cognitive decline, and goiter

• Iron-deficiency may cause: low blood oxygen, poor growth, low immune function and fatigue

• Magnesium-deficiency may cause: muscle twitching, poor nerve transmission, poor muscle impulse, irritability and depression

• Zinc-deficiency may cause: low immune function, poor wound healing, poor prostate function, low sperm count

• Omega 3 fatty acids- deficiency may cause: excess inflammation, dry skin, dry eyes, low immune system, cognitive decline, high cholesterol, hormone dysregulation, and more

The human body is very complex! It remains capable of growth, self-repair, and healing, but only if it is provided with the appropriate raw materials or nutrients. You are composed of trillions of cells, making up every tissue, organ, and structure of your body. Your body, on average, will turn over ten billion cells every hour for the entirety of your life. Without an adequate supply of nutrients, the body cannot maintain this critical life function.

In my office, each nutritional patient will complete a full nutritional intake form. In addition, biomarker testing may be performed to assess metabolic function and body water content. Muscle testing may be used to identify specific organ and nutrient deficiencies. 

Most Common Nutritional Deficiency Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Irritability, moodiness, anxiety, depression
• Insomnia
• Headache and migraine
• Bloating, flatulence
• Constipation, diarrhea
• Stress
• Hormonal dysregulation
• Toxicity build up
• Food cravings
• Weight gain, unexplained weight loss
• Night blindness
• Macular degeneration
• Anemia
• Muscle weakness
• Fertility issues
• Weak bones
• Dry eyes
• Skin disorders
• High blood pressure
• Low immunity and more

I use several different food plans to give to patients depending on their symptoms and presentation. My five most common clinical food plans include:

• Elimination diet: effective for removing food allergens and inflammatory foods from the diet. Typically, it lasts six to eight weeks and comprises two phases. Phase I is the restrictive phase, and Phase II is the reintroduction phase. Allergenic foods promote systemic inflammation.

• Anti-Candida Plan: Is specific to lowering all carbohydrates and sugars in the diet, which candida feed upon. This reduces the pathogenic Candida load, a yeast-like fungus that can weaken the immune system if left unchecked.  Candida can cause a wide range of symptoms, including itchy skin, anxiety, depression, digestive disturbance, joint pain, constipation, arthritis, and more.

• Mitochondria food plan:  A healthy form of the Mediterranean diet with a focus on proteins, healthy fats, and lots of non-starchy vegetables. This plan is high in fiber and phytonutrients and provides substantial energy.

• Cardiovascular diet plan: This diet may be similar to the Mito plan described above. Patients will consume healthy proteins and fats, with an abundance of vegetables and a small amount of fruit. This plan can lower high blood pressure and support a healthy heart.

• Detoxification food plan: This plan minimizes exposure to toxic substances while maximizing support for the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. Properly functioning proteins and ample phytonutrients are required to promote the elimination of toxic waste from the body. 

If patient supplementation is required, whole-food nutrients and botanicals may be dispensed. These specialized vitamins, minerals, and plant concentrates fill in the nutritional gaps and is the good drivers of health in addition to the nutritional food plans above. 

In clinical nutritional therapy, everything I do for my patients is evidence-based.  We eat and drink for many possibilities, thirst, hunger, joy, emotional reasons, but most of all, water and food are necessary for our daily sustenance and long term condition of health. The quality of the nutritional choices we make today will directly affect our future health. As we grow older and wiser, we come to understand that health is our greatest wealth.