Biochemical imbalances caused by nutritional deficiencies are a contributory factor in chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, auto-immune conditions and cancer. This handbook for practitioners explains how to identify and treat such biochemical imbalances in order to better understand and manage a patient's ill-health.The book examines a range of biochemical imbalances, including compromised adrenal or thyroid function, gastro-intestinal imbalances, immune system problems and sex hormone imbalances, and explains how and why such states occur. It pulls together a wide range of evidence to show how such imbalances are involved in the most common chronic diseases. It helps practitioners to understand how to identify the imbalances through appropriate case history taking and laboratory testing, and how to design and implement effective nutritional interventions. Developed by leading academics and practitioners  in the fields of nutritional therapy and functional medicine, this evidence-informed approach can be used with all patients who present in clinic, regardless of whether or not they have a 'named medical condition'. In the final chapter, a case example illustrates how to use the theoretical information in the practice of treating patients with chronically compromised health. Biochemical Imbalances in Disease is an essential text for nutritional therapy practitioners, as well as for students, and will be welcomed by complementary and conventional healthcare practitioners alike.

Foreword by David Jones, President of The Institute for Functional Medicine, USA. 1. The Healthcare Futurescape - How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going? Lorraine Nicolle, Thames Valley University, UK, and Ann Woodriff Beirne, complementary therapist, Australia. 2. Gastro-Intestinal Imbalances. Laurence Trueman, University of Worcester, UK, and Justine Bold, Lecturer, Institute of Health, Social Care and Psychology, University of Worcester, UK. 3. Compromised Detoxification. Angelette Muller, Thames Valley University, UK, and Christabelle Yeoh, Specialist Physician, Breakspear Medical Group, UK. 4. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): Imbalances in Status and Metabolism. Part 1. Lorraine Nicolle and Ada Hallam. Part 2. Smita Hanciles and Zeller Pimlott, Thames Valley University, UK. 5. The Metabolic Syndrome: Insulin Resistance, Dyslipidaemia and Dysglycaemia. T. Michael Culp, Medical Director of Integrative Health Solutions, Ltd, UK. 6. Compromised Thyroid and Adrenal Function. Jane Nodder, University of Westminster, UK. 7. Sex Hormone Imbalances. Kate Neil, Director of the Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management, UK. 8. Dysregulation of the Immune System - A Gastro-Centric Perspective. Michael Ash, Clinical Consultant for Integrative Health Consulting, Ltd, UK. 9. Poor Energy Production and Increased Oxidative Stress. Surinder Phull, Thames Valley University, UK. 10. Dysregulated Neurotransmitter Function. Basant Puri, Imperial College London, UK, and Helen Lynam, Nutritional Therapist, UK. 11. Putting Knowledge into Practice - A Case Study. Lorraine Nicolle and Kate Neil. References.