Running head: MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Angela Martin
United States University

MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Submit a written answer to determine what constitutes medical nutrition therapy
from examining the Medical Nutrition Therapy Care Plan.

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) deals with various treatments on the basis on patients
nutritional status. Medical nutrition therapy can be helpful in controlling or treating kidney
diseases, cancers, AIDS, diabetes, heart disease and many other disorders. Medical Nutrition
Therapy is often used as component of palliative care treatment; however comparatively healthy
individuals can also make use of this therapy for insignificant dietary alterations. Medical
nutrition therapy aims at improving the quality of life of patient rather than curing a terminal
illness. According to The American Dietetic Association, medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle
counseling are integral components of medical treatment for the management of selected
conditions (Funnell, et al. 2009).
Moreover the prospect of Medical nutrition therapy is significant for managing various
chronic diseases, is cost effective and can be effectively used in managing disease. Medical
Nutrition Therapy denotes individualized dietary instruction that includes treatment of nutritionrelated problem with diet therapy counseling. The level of specialized instructions involved in
Medical Nutrition Therapy is far above basic nutrition counseling and incorporates an
individualized dietary assessment.
Condition for Medical Nutrition Therapy
Weight Management

Underweight

MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY

Overweight
Low maternal weight gain

Weight loss during pregnancy

High maternal weight gain,

Low Birth Weight (LBW)

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

Obesity

Unexplained weight loss

Any patient requesting weight management

Total cholesterol > 200 micrograms per deciliter

LDL > 130 mg./dL.

Total cholesterol > 240 mg./dL.

HDL < 40 mg./dL.

LDL > 160 mg./dL.

TG > 200 mg./dL.

MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY

References

Funnell, M. M., Brown, T. L., Childs, B. P., Haas, L. B., Hosey, G. M., Jensen, B., ... &
Weiss, M. A. (2009). National standards for diabetes self-management education. Diabetes
care, 32(Supplement 1), S87-S94.