How to Find a Doctor & Nutritionist by Connie Bennett

Does your doctor think your so-called “sugar addiction” is all “in your head”?

Are you feeling frustrated because your physician doesn’t understand the power of being sugar-free and eating wholesome, natural foods?

Do you wonder if there are any good doctors out there?

I bring you good news. Yes, plenty of open-minded, nutritionally savvy medical practitioners are available to help you if you’re hooked on sugar or if you have hypoglycemia, diabetes, pre-diabetes, gluten intolerance and other health issues.

In the United States, Canada and Great Britain, you can choose from among hundreds of thousands of mainstream and alternative, knowledgeable, open-minded practitioners, many of whom have additional education in nutrition.

Of course, before you pick a doctor, it’s wise to do your homework. Make sure that your physician is well trained, competent, caring, sensitive to your needs and educated about blood sugar-related issues such as hypoglycemia and diabetes.

What’s more, as the late humorist Erma Bombeck quipped, “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.”

Here, then, is a list of organizations, which can offer names of doctors or other medical practitioners.

AlternativeMedicine.org
1650 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920 USA
Phone (800) 515-4325
http://www.alternativemedicine.org

Founded in 1990, AlternativeMedicine.org bills itself as “the leading alternative medicine content provider” in the United States. The group operates a radio show, magazine and book division, and it offers an online, searchable “Find a Practitioner” database.

American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM)
7701 East Kellogg, Suite 625
Wichita, Kansas 67207
Phone (316) 684-5500
http://www.aaem.com

Formed in 1965, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine is an organization of physicians trained to recognize environmentally triggered illnesses. Doctors examine outside factors that can have adverse effects on health, including diet, inhalants, chemicals, radiation, heat, cold, humidity and more. The organization maintains an online database of “Referable Physicians.” Referred doctors are AAEM members, who’ve completed additional training and passed the Academy’s board examination.

American Academy of Osteopathy
3500 DePauw Boulevard, Suite 1080
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Phone (317) 879-1881
http://www.academyofosteopathy.org/

The American Academy of Osteopathy is dedicated to advancing osteopathic medicine, which focuses on “treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.” Members are either osteopathic physicians (Doctors of Osteopathy, or D.O.s) or M.D.s with an interest in osteopathy, including the art and science of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Maintains an online “Find a Physician” searchable database.

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW Suite 350
Washington, DC 20016
Phone (202) 895-1392 or (866) 538-2267 (toll free)
http://www.naturopathic.org

Founded in 1985, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians is a national society that promotes treatment strategies that combine traditional medical science with therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy and naturopathic manipulative therapy. The group offers an online “Looking for a Naturopathic Physician” database.

American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM)
23121 Verdugo Drive, Suite 204
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone (949) 583-7666 or (800) 532-3688
http://www.acam.org

The non-profit ACAM is an alternative healthcare medical society, with nearly 1,000 physicians (M.D.s and D.O.s) from 30 nations. Founded in 1973, it is dedicated to educating physicians about complementary and alternative medicine. Provides online “Doctor Search” database. You also can get the Physicians Referral List by sending an SASE with 99 cents postage to ACAM, P.O. Box 3427, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.

American Holistic Health Association (AHHA)
P.O. Box 17400
Anaheim, CA 92817-7400
Phone (714) 779-6152
http://ahha.org/ahre.htm

Founded in 1989, the American Holistic Health Association is a consumer-education group dedicated “to promoting holistic principles: honoring the whole person (mind, body and spirit) and encouraging people to actively participate in their own health and healthcare.” AHHA offers extensive online “Resource & Referral Lists,” which includes information about holistic doctors and how to locate treatment options.

American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA)
12101 Menaul Blvd. Northeast, Suite C
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Phone (505) 292-7788
http://www.holisticmedicine.org

The American Holistic Medical Association, founded in 1978, is a membership organization for nearly 1,000 licensed health care professionals (M.D.s, D.O.s, and more) who practice holistic medicine, which is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. AHMA maintains an online “Physician Referral Directory.” A bound, printed copy of “Doctor Finder” is available for $15 by writing to the address listed. Learn now how Find a Holistic Practitioner.

The Institute for Functional Medicine
4411 Pt. Fosdick Drive NW, Suite 305
P.O. Box 1697
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone (800) 228-0622
Fax (253) 853-6766
www.functionalmedicine.org

The Institute of Functional Medicine seeks to improve patients’ health through prevention, early assessment, and comprehensive management of complex, chronic disease. Functional medicine is a science-based field of health care that emphasizes “patient care” rather than “disease care.” Functional medicine specialists examine core clinical imbalances that underlie various disease conditions, which could arise out of diet, exercise and trauma. The group maintains an online FM Practitioner Search
database.

Extension Foundation (LEF)
1100 W. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone (954) 766-8433 or (800) 544-4440
http://www.lef.org/doctors/directoryofdoctors01.html

Officially incorporated in 1980, the Life Extension Foundation is a non-profit organization which seeks to radically extend the healthy human lifespan. LEF helps you find Innovative Physicians and Health Practitioners.

How to Choose & Approach Your New Doctor

Although you’re getting referrals, you should make sure to find the right doctor for you – one who has the mix of qualities you need. Here are some tips excerpted and condensed from The Do’s and Don’ts of Hypoglycemia: An Everyday Guide to Low Blood Sugar by Roberta Ruggiero, founder and president of the Hypoglycemia Support Foundation.

• Choose a physician carefully – and preferably not during an emergency situation.
• When you call the doctor’s office, ask the person answering the phone, “Do you treat hypoglycemia, pre-diabetes or diabetes? How do you test for it? (A 5-hour Glucose Tolerance Test could be helpful.)
• Also find out if your potential doctor provides nutritional counseling or can refer you to someone who does.
• Learn the fee for consultation and if the physician or practitioner accepts insurance.
• Research your potential new doctor by asking people or doing research online.
• When you go to your new doctor, bring a symptoms list and medical records.
• Don’t let your doctor intimidate you. He or she is there to help you.
• Bring a diet/symptom diary, which should include a list of everything you’ve eaten or medication you’ve taken in the past 5 to 7 days, as well as the times you ate and any symptoms or reactions afterward.
• Prepare a list of questions, and don’t hesitate to ask them.
• Write down any instructions you receive.
• Discuss a complete prevention program.
• Share your concerns, and be specific and to the point.
• Get a second opinion, especially if you’re not satisfied with your first physician.

    Don’t forget that many trustworthy physicians are out there.

How to Find a Nutritionist

When searching for a knowledgeable nutritionist, make sure to ask questions ahead of time to find out if  the nutritionist or dietitian has experience working with sugar addicts, hypoglycemics and diabetics. Before meeting or talking via phone with that person, make sure that he or she agrees that it’s best to avoid sweets or simple carbs as much as possible. addition to going through the organizations listed below, you may be be able to find a good nutritionist by getting a referral from your local health food store. Again, always first verify the person’s references and point of view.

American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone 1 (800) 877-1600
http://www.eatright.org

Maintains a searchable database of dieticians by zip code.

FindANutritionist.com
http://findanutritionist.com/

An extensive online database where you can find nutritionists, acupuncturists, certified personal trainers, dentists, chiropractors, herbalists, homeopaths, massage therapists, medical doctors, naturopaths, osteopaths, registered dietitians, registered nurses, Ph.D.s, and pharmacists. FindANutritionist.com was founded in 1999 by Designs for Health, which produces a line of nutritional supplements and provides nutrition training.

International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN)
15280 Addison Road, Suite 130
Addison, Texas  75001
Phone (972) 407-9089

Home

Founded in 1983 as a Florida state organization, the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN) is a professional association of practicing clinical nutritionists in many health care professions. Call for a nutritionist referral.

National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP)
P.O. Box 1884
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741
(800) 342-8037

NANP is a non-profit business league of nutrition
professionals originally founded in 1985 as the Society of Certified Nutritionists. NANP represents holistically trained nutrition
professionals. Its mission is to enhance the integrity of the holistic nutrition
profession through self-governance, educational standards, a rigorous code of
ethics and professional registration of holistic nutritionists.

Connie Bennett is a life coach, certified health counselor, the Smart Habits Coach™, host of the Gab With the Gurus Radio Show and “Ex-Sugar Shrew!,” who now helps folks worldwide stomp out their sugar addiction and other counter-productive patterns. Connie is the author of SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books); a motivating speaker;  creator of the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog; and an experienced journalist. To learn about how to break free of your sugar habit, visit www.CoachingWithConnie.com

Feel free to publish this article, but make sure to include the following information: Copyright © 2009, Connie Bennett, Stop SUGAR SHOCK!™, www.SugarShockBlog.com