How Do Medical Foods Work?
Medical Foods supply the body with the necessary amino acids to make specific neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that allow one neuron to communicate with other neurons or effector organs. Some examples of classic neurotransmitters are acetylcholine and norepinephrine. The autonomic nervous system, operating through its neurotransmitters, controls important body functions, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, gastrointestinal function, appetite, sleep, sexual performance, blood pressure, and mood. Additionally, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators play a crucial role in regulating the function of the cardiovascular, reproductive, musculoskeletal, immune, respiratory, and memory systems.
Medical Foods work through a different pathway from other prescription pharmaceuticals and do not interfere with these medications. The nutritional management of disease states allows physicians additional flexibility in the use of pharmaceutical agents. Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trials have shown that when certain Medical Food products are used in conjunction with low dose pharmaceutical agents, efficacy is improved and the negative side effects associated with these pharmaceuticals are potentially reduced.
