Nutritherapy means etymologically “to heal through food”. In practice, the nutritherapist recommends a balanced diet adapted to the needs of his patient, while adding specific food supplements to meet specific needs.

Nutritherapy is thus the act of treating by choosing a balanced diet, supplementing with micro-nutrients (vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, etc.) adapted to the patient’s needs.

We now know much better about the mechanisms of action of micronutrients, such as probiotics, amino acids, trace elements, minerals and vitamins. It is this science that prevails in nutritherapy.

Historically, nutritherapy started at the beginning of the 20th century, with the progress of medicine. But it was already the Greek physician Hippocrates (in the 5th century BC) who is considered the “first” nutritherapist. Indeed, he was already advocating: “Let your food be your first remedy”. This is one of the founding principles of nutritherapy, namely adopting a healthy and adapted eating behavior in order to maintain good health, optimize the functioning of your body and lengthen its lifespan.

Its objectives are:

• Prevent disease;
• Improve the patient’s quality of life;
• Optimize the physical, psychic and intellectual potential of man;
• Reduce the disadvantages of pathologies already present;
• Prevent disease
• Prevent stress, detoxify the body, prevent inflammation.

It therefore has a therapeutic but also preventive action.

In practice, the nutritherapist will approach the patient’s complaints (fatigue, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, infections) and his illnesses (if he is a doctor), from a biochemical point of view. It will then be able to intervene at the molecular level. As each human being is different (genes, environment), he will take the time to identify the patient’s profile precisely. From this first conclusion, he can then draw the outlines of the dietary changes that must take place, as well as the dietary supplements to take. Priority is placed on reducing the symptoms described by the patient, through specific dietary advice.

Of course, everyone knows the principles of a balanced diet, relayed by many media, all doctors and pharmacists. Everyone can, also for themselves, choose food supplements according to their lack and a quick analysis of their condition. However, consultation with a health professional in nutritherapy makes it possible to avoid targeting errors in food supplements, and nutritional errors in the daily diet. In addition, there are risks of overdose of trace elements and vitamins, which can be dangerous for health. Interactions are also possible between the different food supplements or with an ongoing treatment, it is therefore advisable to be careful in self-medication.

Nutritherapists are health professionals (doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dieticians, naturopaths) who have received specific and complementary training in nutritherapy. Different training organizations exist with different durations, learning methods and training costs.

There is no diploma recognized by the State specific to nutritherapy, but additional training is provided in order to receive a certification, specific to each organization, allowing to become a nutritherapist.

Some training courses are recognized, such as the following:

• DU (University diploma) in dietetics, nutritherapy and nutraceuticals: this is continuous training for doctors and pharmacists but also for health professionals whose level is deemed sufficient by educational managers. This training is given in Besançon, and includes 80 hours of lessons spread over 2 non-consecutive weeks. A continuous assessment and a written assessment at the end of the training will validate the DU if the grade obtained is at least 10/20;
• IENPA (European Institute of Applied Nutritherapy and Phytotherapy): this association trains doctors, pharmacists and other medical professions in nutritherapy as well as phytotherapy. The training consists of 24 two-day modules spread over 4 years, in Paris or in E-learning; Other less recognized training courses exist in France and abroad. It is therefore necessary to be vigilant in the choice and reputation of a training course, in order to have the best possible, for yourself or to choose your nutrition therapist.
• The CFNA (Applied Nutritherapy Training Center): this center trains doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, naturopaths, dieticians and other health professionals. The training is given in Namur (Belgium) and is divided into 12 modules of 2 days;
• CERDEN (European Center for Research, Development and Education in Nutrition and Nutritherapy): this training is given in Brussels (Belgium), and is intended for health practitioners. It is available in 10 modules of a weekend over 2 years, ie 5 seminars per year.