FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What should I expect?
A: Expect an interactive and educational experience that leaves you feeling healthier, more energetic, detoxified, and mentally clear. As diet and digestion improve, so do energy levels, stress resiliency, immunity, and mental outlook. Holistic nutritionists aim to correct root causes of symptoms, so you can expect long-lasting changes and a new relationship to food and eating. I believe that change becomes long-lasting when it is done gradually, honestly, and with support. Expect to learn, and have fun - in a compassionate and non-judging environment.
Q: I have been experiencing a lot of fatigue and lethargy. Can my diet be the problem?
A: The food we eat is directly related to our level of energy. When we eat processed foods lacking vitality and live enzymes, our body must go through a tremendous amount of work to break down the food and detoxify the chemicals. If our bodies are having difficulty breaking down and absorbing the food we eat, our body will not have the nutrients to rebuild, detoxify and repair itself. If our bodies can not detoxify and rebuild, we become acidic and congested and we will feel tired and lethargic. My health recommendations allow your body to receive and absorb the nutrients required to create the vital energy we should be enjoying at every stage in our lives.
Q: Are your services covered by my health care plan?
A: Answer: If your corporate policy includes ‘nutrition’ or ‘nutritional counselling’ as an option, then your consults or program may be covered. My services are covered by many extended benefit plans including but not limited to:
What is your designation?
Deborah Petrovitch is:
Q: What is working with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist like?
A: During the initial consultation, I gather a detailed health and family health history; analyze symptoms; examine current medications, supplements and herbs for possible interactions; and assess personal health goals and concerns. I use this information to create an individualized plan with food, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations.During the first follow-up session, I thoroughly explain nutrition and system imbalances and how to correct them, and outline your plan in detail. This first plan will focus on the root cause of symptoms and your most pressing imbalances.
Q: Can cancer be prevented?
A: Yes. A new study from John Hopkins claims between 70 and 90 percent of cancer cases are linked to avoidable lifestyle choices. Reducing your exposure to carcinogens that contribute to cellular damage, reducing inflammation that is a major cause of virtually every disease, and feeding your body the nutrients it needs to fight off abnormal cells can slash your risk.
Q: I have cancer in my family. Will I get it too?
A: I lost both my parents to cancer. Statistically that means I have a higher risk for getting cancer, but did you know that more than 50% of cancers are completely preventable? (some sources cite up to 90%). Even if you have a strong genetic predisposition for cancer, it’s possible to overwrite your genetic code with healthy diet and lifestyle choices. This is known as epigenetics. It’s actually possible to change the way your genes read a DNA sequence and how genes are expressed. Everything a holistic nutritionist teaches is based on epigenetics. Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal if provided the proper nutrients and healing practices.
Q: I think I should do a liver detox. How can I go about it?
A: Detoxification can be a helpful strategy to aid the body in eliminating toxins store in the body's organs and tissues. However, it is imperative to prepare the body properly. Jumping into a liver cleanse could cause undesirable effects for many people that would far outweigh the benefits, especially if your natural detoxification streams are impaired which is often the case if you are fatigued or have chronic illness. In these cases, rebuilding the body's store of nutrients and ensuring proper digestion and elimination based on your individual needs would be a safer and more effective first step.
Q: Can food play a role in anti-aging?
A: Anti-aging is a catchword that means reversing free radical damage. As we age we are continuously being bombarded with harmful pollutants from the environment and our food, and the number of free radicals that enter and circulate into our body increases. These free radicals (or unstable molecules) affect our DNA and lead to degenerative disease such as cancer by causing mutations. However, antioxidants found in foods and vitamins can protect our cells from damage. An RHN can implement a nutrition program geared towards fighting off free radical damage and thereby curbing the degenerative and aging process of the body.
Q: Will I have to quit eating meat?
A: Myths abound that you must be vegetarian to be healthy. Many people thrive on being vegetarian and if this is true for you, I can provide exceptional information on vegetarian protein complementing to support your goals. However, for many people, a lack of healthy protein (or the ability to digest and absorb protein) is a serious issue, especially in the elder population. For others, reducing animal proteins are an important step in feeling better. Every circumstance is unique and wellness plans are customized for each client. I educate clients about quality proteins and how protein is ESSENTIAL for detoxification of the many chemicals in our environment today.
A: Expect an interactive and educational experience that leaves you feeling healthier, more energetic, detoxified, and mentally clear. As diet and digestion improve, so do energy levels, stress resiliency, immunity, and mental outlook. Holistic nutritionists aim to correct root causes of symptoms, so you can expect long-lasting changes and a new relationship to food and eating. I believe that change becomes long-lasting when it is done gradually, honestly, and with support. Expect to learn, and have fun - in a compassionate and non-judging environment.
Q: I have been experiencing a lot of fatigue and lethargy. Can my diet be the problem?
A: The food we eat is directly related to our level of energy. When we eat processed foods lacking vitality and live enzymes, our body must go through a tremendous amount of work to break down the food and detoxify the chemicals. If our bodies are having difficulty breaking down and absorbing the food we eat, our body will not have the nutrients to rebuild, detoxify and repair itself. If our bodies can not detoxify and rebuild, we become acidic and congested and we will feel tired and lethargic. My health recommendations allow your body to receive and absorb the nutrients required to create the vital energy we should be enjoying at every stage in our lives.
Q: Are your services covered by my health care plan?
A: Answer: If your corporate policy includes ‘nutrition’ or ‘nutritional counselling’ as an option, then your consults or program may be covered. My services are covered by many extended benefit plans including but not limited to:
- iA Financial Group
- Greenshield Canada
- Manulife
- ClaimSecure
- Blue Cross Alberta
- Sun Life now offers some employers a Personal Spending Account within which Nutrition Counselling is covered.
What is your designation?
Deborah Petrovitch is:
- a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition
- recognized as a Natural Nutrition – Clinical Practitioner (NNCP) through CANNP Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners, where she is a member in good standing. (Member Number: NN1098)
- a Certified Holistic Cancer Practitioner through the Edison Institute of Nutrition
Q: What is working with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist like?
A: During the initial consultation, I gather a detailed health and family health history; analyze symptoms; examine current medications, supplements and herbs for possible interactions; and assess personal health goals and concerns. I use this information to create an individualized plan with food, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations.During the first follow-up session, I thoroughly explain nutrition and system imbalances and how to correct them, and outline your plan in detail. This first plan will focus on the root cause of symptoms and your most pressing imbalances.
Q: Can cancer be prevented?
A: Yes. A new study from John Hopkins claims between 70 and 90 percent of cancer cases are linked to avoidable lifestyle choices. Reducing your exposure to carcinogens that contribute to cellular damage, reducing inflammation that is a major cause of virtually every disease, and feeding your body the nutrients it needs to fight off abnormal cells can slash your risk.
Q: I have cancer in my family. Will I get it too?
A: I lost both my parents to cancer. Statistically that means I have a higher risk for getting cancer, but did you know that more than 50% of cancers are completely preventable? (some sources cite up to 90%). Even if you have a strong genetic predisposition for cancer, it’s possible to overwrite your genetic code with healthy diet and lifestyle choices. This is known as epigenetics. It’s actually possible to change the way your genes read a DNA sequence and how genes are expressed. Everything a holistic nutritionist teaches is based on epigenetics. Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal if provided the proper nutrients and healing practices.
Q: I think I should do a liver detox. How can I go about it?
A: Detoxification can be a helpful strategy to aid the body in eliminating toxins store in the body's organs and tissues. However, it is imperative to prepare the body properly. Jumping into a liver cleanse could cause undesirable effects for many people that would far outweigh the benefits, especially if your natural detoxification streams are impaired which is often the case if you are fatigued or have chronic illness. In these cases, rebuilding the body's store of nutrients and ensuring proper digestion and elimination based on your individual needs would be a safer and more effective first step.
Q: Can food play a role in anti-aging?
A: Anti-aging is a catchword that means reversing free radical damage. As we age we are continuously being bombarded with harmful pollutants from the environment and our food, and the number of free radicals that enter and circulate into our body increases. These free radicals (or unstable molecules) affect our DNA and lead to degenerative disease such as cancer by causing mutations. However, antioxidants found in foods and vitamins can protect our cells from damage. An RHN can implement a nutrition program geared towards fighting off free radical damage and thereby curbing the degenerative and aging process of the body.
Q: Will I have to quit eating meat?
A: Myths abound that you must be vegetarian to be healthy. Many people thrive on being vegetarian and if this is true for you, I can provide exceptional information on vegetarian protein complementing to support your goals. However, for many people, a lack of healthy protein (or the ability to digest and absorb protein) is a serious issue, especially in the elder population. For others, reducing animal proteins are an important step in feeling better. Every circumstance is unique and wellness plans are customized for each client. I educate clients about quality proteins and how protein is ESSENTIAL for detoxification of the many chemicals in our environment today.