Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (NEM) is concerned with the interaction of nutritional and environmental factors with human biochemistry and physiology, and the resulting physiological and psychological symptoms and pathology. It is commonly referred to as integrative medicine and/or functional medicine.
NEM is evidence-based, drawing on the latest biomedical and genetic science and research to develop new treatment approaches to illness and disease, for primary prevention and to promote optimal health and well-being.
Nutritional deficiencies, imbalances, or the presence of environmental toxins in the body can result in cellular dysfunction, illness or disease. Treatment is aimed at correcting underlying causes as well as providing symptomatic relief. This may involve removal of certain foods from the diet or toxins from the patient’s environment, or prescription of supplements such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids where diet and lifestyle alone cannot rectify physiological imbalances.
What diseases and conditions can be treated using Nutritional & Environmental Medicine?
Almost all diseases and disease states have a nutritional component and are therefore amenable in part at least to this approach.
What modalities are practised by acnem trained practitioners?
The College trains medical and allied health practitioners in the use of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine. However, many of our practitioners are trained in a range of other modalities. Since NEM is truly integrative in its application, these other modalities can be used in conjunction with NEM to provide a more holistic, patient-centred approach.
What remedies are used by acnem practitioners?
acnem trained practitioners use a large range of remedies, suited to the individual patient and the symptoms they are presenting with.
Why don't all medical and health practitioners practice Nutritional & Environmental Medicine?
Unfortunately most medical schools devote very little time to teaching the relationship between nutrition and health, despite the overwhelming evidence of the importance of nutrition in maintaining health and fighting disease. acnem promotes Nutritional and Environmental Medicine as central to medical/health practice.
Where can I find practitioners trained by acnem?
acnem operates a referral service Find-A-Practitioner through which practitioners who have undertaken training with the College can provide details of their practice.
