Functional Medicine Nutrition and Diet
Science Based Diets
Your diet can dramatically impact your health and so, as part of your health plan Dr Otto may recommend dietary changes. Check out some of our diet strategies below and be sure to check out our Nutrition FAQ. You can also download our food log and other forms at the bottom of the page.
Specific Blood Based Diet
ALCAT [Antigen Leukocyte Antibody Test]
The Alcat Test is a lab based immune stimulation test in which a patient’s WBC’s are challenged with various substances including foods, additives, colorings, chemicals, medicinal herbs, functional foods, molds and pharmaceutical compounds. The patient’s unique set of responses help to identify substances that may trigger potentially harmful immune system reactions.
The Alcat Test objectively classifies a patient’s response to each test substance as reactive, borderline or non-reactive. Based on these classifications, a customized elimination/rotation diet may be designed to effectively eliminate the specific triggers of chronic immune system activation. By reducing this ongoing burden – and in particular, by reversing the sustained and destructive inflammation it produces – normal body functions and immune system balance can be improved.
General, Scientifically Validated, Diets
Paleo Diet
The Paleolithic diet, also popularly referred to as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and Hunter-Gatherer Diet, is a modern nutritional diet designed to emulate, insofar as possible using modern foods, the diet of wild plants and animals eaten by humans during the Paleolithic era.[1] Proponents of the diet therefore recommend avoiding any foods that they claim were not available to humans at that time, including dairy products, grains, legumes, processed oils, and refined sugar. More protein and meat: Meat, seafood, and other animal products represent the staple foods of modern-day Paleo diets, since advocates claim protein comprises 19-35% of the calories in hunter-gatherer diets. Advocates recommend, relative to modern diets, that the Paleolithic diet have moderate to higher fat intake dominated by monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fats, but avoiding trans fats, and omega-6 fats. Fewer carbohydrates: Non-starchy vegetables. The diet recommends the consumption of non-starchy fresh fruits and vegetables to provide 35-45 % daily calories and be the main source of carbohydrates.
Innate Diet
Fundamental, basic nutrition based on the physiological needs of the body. Basic Premise is that we need to eat foods for TWO reasons: Purity and sufficiency. Purity vs. toxicity refers to eating foods that lack toxic chemicals such as food additives, artificial flavors/colors, dyes, and preservatives. Sufficiency vs. Deficiency refers to delivering your body the specific nutrients it needs to function at its optimum level as in macronutrients (protein, fats, and Carbohydrates) and Micronutrients (B-vitamins, coQ10, Homocysteine, etc.) This is a more generalized diet focusing on simple foods that lack manmade processing. For more information, refer to Innate Diet Handout on our website.
“Body by God” Diet
Similar to the Innate Diet, BbG. Diet is based on natural holistic unmodified foods backed by Biblical Scripture/Principles. Unique to the Diet are simple rules such as the Addition Rule {adding something good to your poor diet without removing the poor foods. Over time the BBG will react so favorably to these FBG additions and start to crave them. Instead of being additions, they can become the entire focus of the meal.} and the Replacement Rule = Phase out unhealthy foods by replacing them with more health-conscience substitutes. Grocery stores offer similar tasting FBM made from FBG substitutes [ex. Rice milk instead of cow milk] Most people are overfed but undernourished? No nourishment in their diets!
Biblical Diet recommendations (if you are so inclined)
The Body by God Diet mentioned above is based in part on over 40 biblical references. If you are religious, this may be a great motivator for you. Please go to our website www.discoverhealth.net to download these quotes to help you focus on staying with your diet.
Van Merkle Diets
Dr. Van Merkle is the Doctor with whom we run almost all our labs. He has been a Nutrition Expert for many years and has several pre-made general dietary plans. There are several categories for these diet plans like: Fresh Start Program (for Beginners), Hypo-glycemic, low Glycemic, Diabetic, Vegetarian-Vegan, and so on. This may be a great place to start if you feel overwhelmed by the various diets above.
Dr. Otto Diet
This is not a claim to fame, rather an answer to patient’s questions about my own dietary choices. I have been a Vegetarian for over 11 years for various reasons (ask me and I will gladly elucidate). I would love to be Vegan, but due to the cooking/Time requirements, I simply choose to seek out vegan opportunities when out at restaurants or out on vacation. I choose to use a Vitamix to blend all my vegetables and then drink them. I also enjoy Vegan Protein Replacement meals when busy at the clinic and while on the go. This may not be for you as it isn’t for many, yet you need to change your eating habits for the better with good diets and systems that work for you, your family, schedules, and lifestyles.
Critical, Every Day Nutrition for EVERYBODY
Scientific Supplements Based on several Mentors (Dr. Dan Murphy, Dc and Dr. Micheal Greer, MD) and valid verifiable science; Everyone needs to take: Vitamin D, Copper free, Multivitamin-Mineral, Omega 3 Fish oil, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-lipoic Acid, CoQ10, N-Acetyl Cysteine, increased quality protein, resveratrol (adults only), and curcumin. One could also add: Ashwaganda, Rhodiola, and a few other critical herbs.
8 Critical Supplements your body needs everyday!
Some of these are common nutrients that you have heard of, whereas others you probably haven’t.
Some supplements you can get in your diet, but most people aren’t consuming the right foods. Others are nearly impossible to obtain in your diet with respect to both quantity and quality.
- Helps calcium absorption for strong bones and other critical body functions
- Assures the proper Micronutrients
- Protects from cellular damage
- Increases energy
- Protects your heart
- Protects against autoimmune disease