Chronic conditions are flourishing. In fact, 70% of global deaths are the result of these long-lasting health issues, which includes diabetes and cancers. In our IV Lounge in Toronto, we offer nutrition advice and drip therapy treatments to help alleviate nutrient deficiencies; in turn, these can help with managing or preventing a chronic illness. 

When risky lifestyle factors (i.e. sedentary living and smoking) are excessively practised, they can heighten your chances of developing chronic issues; these unhealthy contributors can also include food choices. Unfortunately, the standard Western diet is burdened with pre-packaged options, processed meats, sugary drinks and snacks, and fatty products, and many of these lack key nutrients for supporting optimal wellness. 

If we don’t regularly nourish the body with nutrients, you can be susceptible to poor liver detoxification and low energy levels, while potentially impeding cognitive function and triggering chronic inflammation. Indeed, nutrition is crucial for handling harmful effects in the body! In this article, we focus on: 

• • What exactly a chronic condition is;
  • How nutrient levels are linked to chronic health issues; 
  • And how to get nutrition and IV therapy consultations from our IV Lounge. 

What is chronic disease?

A chronic condition is an illness that persists for a lengthy period of time, usually for a year or more. The following are some examples of chronic conditions: 

• • Obesity
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Asthma
  • Osteoporosis
  • Hypertension
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Persistent depressive disorder

Lifestyle modifications are key to avoiding or dealing with chronic health concerns. But understanding why these changes must be made can inspire you to commit to a healthy routine. “Research shows that patient education plays an important role in the management of chronic NCDs (noncommunicable diseases) at both population and individual levels,” confirms the World Health Organization (WHO). 

What’s the link between nutritional deficiency and chronic conditions?

Regarding patient education, understanding why consuming optimal nutrients is critical, especially for managing or averting health issues.   

Chronic health issues associated with Western dietary habits were once believed to primarily affect large urban environments due to the high consumption of ultra-processed foods rich in calories and fats. However, the global rise in urbanization has led to the widespread adoption of these dietary patterns, including excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats.These foods don’t offer you key amounts of nutrients due to their processing methods. Their sugary contents can also cause detrimental effects over time: “Consumption of added sugars has been associated with increased risk of obesity as well as increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and even cognitive decline and cancer,” confirms a Nutrients journal report. When these ultra-processed foods monopolize your diet, they can essentially cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the human body.

Additionally, some cooking oils can contribute to lifelong health concerns. Excessive levels of trans fats are in palm and canola oils; when exposed to high temperatures, their nutrient profiles are adversely affected. This is why a nutritionist or naturopathic doctor may recommend avocado,  or coconut instead, as their nutrients can withstand the heat. In our Toronto functional medicine clinic and IV Lounge, we recommend eating the Mediterranean Diet. It embraces a wide range of fruits and vegetables, fish, and healthy fats, and studies have shown it to support beneficial effects on blood pressure regulation, energy production, blood sugar levels, and immune function. 

Overall, we all have the power to make decisions that nourish our wellness – so, let’s empower you as you begin your health journey. Whether you’re concerned about forming a chronic illness or you need to learn how to manage one, a personalized approach to wellness can offer healthy gains – these may include healthier energy levels, improvements to physical exertions, and more. Our clinicians can tailor various therapies for your unique needs, including holistic nutrition advice. It’s time to stop stalling – renovate your wellness for optimal functioning now. Our clinicians are available if you need nutrition advice and/or IV vitamin therapy drips. 

Suggested reading: Toronto’s IV Therapy Guide to Supporting Nutrition for Female Fertility

How to get an intravenous drip from our IV Lounge 

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, we make becoming a new patient seamless. All you need to do is:

• • Book and attend your initial consultation. 
  • Describe your health concerns, medical history, lifestyle and environmental factors to us. (Note: We may conduct lab testing (i.e. blood tests) depending on your current health condition.)
  • Then we use your details to personalize and integrate therapies, including conventional and naturopathic medicine, psychotherapy, IV therapy drips, holistic nutrition, acupuncture, and more.

Our clinicians are proficient at adapting treatment plans for various needs, including hormonal imbalances, chronic and autoimmune disorders, fertility issues (i.e. targeting sperm health and egg quality), food sensitivities, and more. 

Our IV Lounge is available for patients who want to support their nutrition and health goals. Intravenous therapy is designed to bypass the digestive tract by immediately entering the blood stream. As an adjuvant therapy, IV treatments are suitable for patients with malabsorption; the modality may contribute to health improvements when combined with a healthy lifestyle and additional therapeutic interventions.

We carry plenty of key ingredients in our IV Lounge, including vitamin C, glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, a medley of amino acids, several trace minerals, and more. Our team monitors each IV drip session, too, so someone is always here to answer your questions or help keep you comfortable.

This is your moment to improve your quality of life! Functional medicine strategies and a custom-made IV drip are available for you in our Toronto IV therapy lounge. Call now to begin the process of becoming a new patient. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Adil, Yamaan MBBS; Siddiqui, Shanezehra MBBS. The role of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases: an urgent need for public health education. International Journal of Surgery: Global Health 6(5):e0353, September 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/GH9.0000000000000353

Ecarnot, F., Maggi, S. The impact of the Mediterranean diet on immune function in older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res 36, 117 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02753-3

Gropper SS. The Role of Nutrition in Chronic Disease. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 28;15(3):664. doi: 10.3390/nu15030664. PMID: 36771368; PMCID: PMC9921002.

“Improving patient education: a new guide for policy-makers and health professionals to support self-management of chronic conditions” from the World Health Organization, released November 14, 2023, viewed on November 9, 2024. 

Lagger, G., Pataky, Z., & Golay, A. (2010). Efficacy of therapeutic patient education in chronic diseases and obesity. Patient Education and Counseling, 79(3), 283-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2010.03.015

Ojo, O., & Amorim Adegboye, A. R. (2023). The Effects of Nutrition on Chronic Conditions. Nutrients, 15(5), 1066. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051066

Rippe, J. M., & Angelopoulos, T. J. (2016). Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding. Nutrients, 8(11), 697. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8110697

Steyn K, Damasceno A. Lifestyle and Related Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases. In: Jamison DT, Feachem RG, Makgoba MW, et al., editors. Disease and Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. 2nd edition. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Chapter 18. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2290/

Tucker, K. L. (2020). The role of diet in chronic disease. Present Knowledge in Nutrition (Eleventh Edition), 329-345. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818460-8.00018-6

“WHO/FAO release independent Expert Report on diet and chronic disease” from the World Health Organization, released March 3, 2003, viewed on November 9, 2024.