Discussion Board

Hi Jeff,
I know you are a Registered Dietitian. I don't want to go back to college at 49 yrs old to receive a degree like that, but I am interested in learning more about nutrition.
Have you ever heard of The Global College of Natural Medicine, in Santa Cruz, Ca.? They offer 3 programs, via mail, including Holistic Health Practitioner Program, Nutritional Consultant Program and Master Herbalist Program. They use books from such sources as Dr. Weil. It sounds great, but I want to make sure they're legit.
Or do you know of a good home program to study nutrition, health, and herbs, in depth? Of course I have Dr. McDougall's books and CD's.
Thanks,
Gwen

Gwen, I am interested in doing the same thing. I would love a home study program. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Hope~

Hi Gwen

The answer depends on what your goals are and what you want to do with the education.

Are looking to study nutrition for your own personal edification or are you thinking of using it in someway to teach or help others?

Either way though, I am not a big fan of many of these unaccredited colleges and courses even though they may sound great. While they may offer some good info that can be helpful, most of them are also full of other info that is of questionable value or worth.

I do not personally find value in many of these "holistic" health, "herbalist" or "nutritionist" programs and have taken some of them. Somehow or other it seems that good solid nutrition science (which i am a strong proponent of) gets its self aligned with lots of stuff that is really of questionable value, and some of it is just plain quackery (of which I am strongly opposed to). I am not a fan of Dr Weil and his teachings.

Some people seem to be suprised that the info i follow and teach is actually based on (and I consider it) solid mainstream science. I can show you documents by the NAS, the WHO, the FAO and the IOM that supports virtually everything I teach.

John Bear, has a website and a book that is updated regularly where he evaluates many all these online, correspondence, non-traditional and traditional colleges/programs. Unfortunately, my personal and professional experience is that they often do little more then turn well meaning, good intentioned and caring people into quacks.

John Bears info

http://www.degree.net

http://www.degree.net/books/bearsguide.htm

Kaplan University is making a move to become one of the leading online universities offering real accredited degrees and I teach for them in their nutrition program, which is brand new.

http://www.kaplan.edu/ku/schools/health ... amID=33899

There are also online programs now to study traditional nutrition and offer an RD.

http://www.unco.edu/ddp/

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ad ... U_HTML.htm (scroll down and you will see the full list of online programs)

Let me know what you are really looking for and what your end goals are.

In Health
Jeff Novick, MS, RD

Thanks for answering, Jeff.
I briefly looked at the Kaplan site. I guess my interest would be the dietetics. I'm very interested in how nutrition affects every aspect of how we function and all the body's interactions. It's for my own interest now, but it could lead to helping others in the future.
I'm 49 yrs old, so I don't know if I could look forward to a career in the field. It would probably take me 8-10 yrs to complete a degree going part time. That degree is offered here at the University of New Mexico. I took a couple A&S classes 20 yrs ago. This year, I readmitted and tried taking a French class, but ended up dropping it.
You see, I'll be an empty nester soon, and I thought about what I'd like to try for this next phase of my life, since I now have the time. --it would be a lot of money, though, especially since my youngest son will be entering UNM for Mechanical Engineering.
I like the idea of just knowing more about how the body works. I'm with you that taking a more scientific, professional approach would be a better way to really understand the truth of nutrition.
Do you have any suggestions for me on how to proceed? Do you think I'm too old to start pursuing this?
Thanks, Gwen

Gwen...just my 2 cents....you're never too old to follow your heart.

Thanks....that's true....

Jeff, if formal education were not an option, are there any reference books or short courses that would be good?
Gwen

No! In 10 years time you will be around the age Dr. McDougall is today. Think of all he has to offer.

Then think of all those teenagers out there today and what they are eating/drinking. They are definitely going to need some help.

Go for it!

Donna

Hi Gwen

First, I agree with everyone. It is never to late to begin something new. In fact, learning something new is the best way to keep your mind active and young. I went back to school at 35 and had similar thoughts, so the thoughts are normal, but where would you be in 5-10 years if you didnt do what you wanted? I know a women who went back and got here nursing degree when she was in her mid 70s.

It sounds to me what you are really interested in is what we call biochemistry and/or physiology, which is what the core of what nutrition really is, how foods breaks, down, is metabolized, interacts and functions with in the human body. I see nutrition in 2 ways, the first is the nutrition about the foods we eat "before" we consume them, which would be the analysis of foods, nutrient sources, meal planning, recipes, etc. The second is the nutrition about foods "after" we eat them, which is the biochemistry and physiology part of it.

Some suggestions, which you can look into and see what interests you.

1) I can send you some links for some free online reports by the NAS, and WHO all about food and nutrients. They go into all the differences in sources, types, absorption rates, nutrient balance, metabolism, etc etc. For instance, the one on calcium talks all about the different source, the effect of animal protein, salt, exercise, vit d, vit k, and how each one effects calcium and why are recommendations are elevated compared to World Health.

2) You can sign up for a college class at a local university or college, even just to audit it on nutrition and/or biochemistry (or they may have you take regular chemistry first).

3) try one of the online courses in nutrition, biochemistry or physiology, so you can work at your own pace

4) I can recommend a textbook in basic nutrition, which you can get and read at your own pace.

Also, if you would like, there is a board at vegsource, on the topic of nutrition education which is moderated by Mark Rifkin, RD, where he discusses similar questions.

http://www.vegsource.com/talk/nutrition/

Let me know if i can be of anymore help

In Health
Jeff Novick, MS, RD

Yes, I would like those online links you wrote about.

Last year, when I was having my gallbladder problems, I became very aware of food and how it was affecting me. I'd also just lost 90 lbs as well as entering my 3rd year of menopause. So I had a LOT of changes going on. My hair was falling out, my nails breaking and my skin was aging fast. I'm sure I was malnourished the last few months before my gallbladder came out.
After my surgery, my hair was still falling out bad. I had read that the anestesia(sp?) can cause that? Is that true? I started taking vitamins for hair/skin/nails. I know menopause can also cause hair/skin problems. I'm happy to report I have new 'baby' hairs coming in!!
I also experienced rapid vaginal atrophy/dryness and urogenital problems. Even with vag. estriol cream, things weren't working well. That seems to be getting better now also....using less cream now.

So my interest in nutrition peaked during all this. Can my lack of good nutrition before my surgery, and now, good nutrition after have played that big a role in my hair/skin/vag problems? If so, I can see how really important it is to eat well.
PS...I've also exercised during this whole time: brisk walking-2-3 miles 5/days a week, and working with light weights 2-3x a week.

Wow, it's so nice to 'talk' to someone about all these issues! I REALLY appreciate your time to answer me, Jeff.
Thanks, Gwen

1) I can send you some links for some free online reports by the NAS, and WHO all about food and nutrients. They go into all the differences in sources, types, absorption rates, nutrient balance, metabolism, etc etc. For instance, the one on calcium talks all about the different source, the effect of animal protein, salt, exercise, vit d, vit k, and how each one effects calcium and why are recommendations are elevated compared to World Health.

Hi Jeff, I'd be interested in this. Thanks! And thank you for answering the questions on this forum - I'm learning so much.

Here we go...

Many of the classic textbooks are great resources for the background and basic information on biochemistry and physiology.

One of my favorites is

Modern Nutrition in Health & Disease by Maurice Shils

In addition, I highly recommend anyone interested in nutrition and health to go to the website of the National Academy of Sciences and the World Health Organization and read all their published reports on these topics. They are all free to the public at the websites.

http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?topic=380

http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?topic=381

(Check out all the subtopics sections on the left also)

http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity ... index.html

http://www.who.int/topics/nutrition/en/

http://www.who.int/topics/diet/en/

In addition, the Institute of Medicine, the CDC, the National Institute of Aging also have great reports.

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3708.aspx

Also, this is a great one to understand all the science behind vitamins and minerals and all the differing recommendations.

Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements
Report of a joint FAO/WHO expert consultation
Bangkok, Thailand
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
FOOD SND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2002

http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/Y2809E/y2809e00.HTM

Also, while some of the info from the USDA, and FDA is influenced by industry, their reports and data are still great to read.

Enjoy, it is a lot of very worthwhile reading.

In Health
Jeff Novick, MS, RD

PS there will be a test!

In ten years you will be 59, whether you work on getting the degree you are interested in or not.

I say follow your heart. The time will pass anyway. What matters is how we spend the time we have. IMHO education is never wasted. Even if you never got a job that required the degree you had obtained, your life will be infinitely richer for having gotten that degree.

Just my two cents. And, as usual, my advise is worth what you paid me for it.

Thanks for the encouragement. I still have a lot of things to think about. I appreciate all the input.
Gwen

Gwen
Dont let your age deter you from reaching out to accomplice your dream.Four years hence you will be fifty three years of age no matter what. You can either have a legitimate degree or be still wishing.
Good Luck

Gwen,

I know of the Global College of Natural Medicine and they are definitely legitimate. They are primarily on-line, but they have on-site study groups and are starting on-site classes soon. Their programs are cheaper than some of the others out there (like Clayton College of Natural Health), and their programs seem complete, but I do know they do not completely emphasize a low-fat vegan diet. Having one of their texts be Dr. Weil's is a good example because he advocates salmon and olive oil if I am correct. Still, if you are looking for something that is very thorough for your own personal growth, it might be worth it, still. I love all of the references Jeff gave us about nutrition education, too! I plan to look everything up as nutrition is a passion of mine as well. Thanks, Jeff!