If we haven’t already met, let me introduce myself. My name is Cherine and I am your new receptionist at Revolutions Natural Medical Solutions. Working at the office has been an eye opening experience so far–I’ve already learned so much about naturopathic medicine and therapies. Since starting work at the office, I have found myself explaining to people exactly what a naturopathic doctor is, and what makes them unique. One of my own personal questions when I started working was what makes a naturopathic doctor different than a nutritionist? Or an herbalist?
A naturopathic doctor is exactly that–a doctor. This means that they have attended a four year accredited medical school. They are specifically trained to know the physiology of the body. Physiology is the study of how the organs and enzymes of the body work together. Therefore, a naturopathic doctor will be able to prescribe specific supplements and herbs for your body’s needs, knowing the interactions of these medications as well as interactions with other medications you may be taking. A nutritionist or herbalist is not trained in these areas. When it comes to diseases and weight loss, a nutritionist may be able to recommend certain macronutrients for you, in the form of specific fruits, vegetables, meats, etc, and an herbalist may recommend a certain herb. However, because they are not doctors, nutritionists and herbalists cannot run blood work or other lab work, and therefore are untrained to diagnose or treat diseases. In contrast, a naturopathic doctor is medically trained to diagnose and treat chronic diseases with the help of objective laboratory testing. Naturopathic doctors prescribe herbs, supplements, and foods that are ideal for you and your body’s chemistry; nutritionists and herbalists can only recommend them.