NTA Therapeutic Diets & Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which food group is eliminated that is NOT removed in a standard Paleo diet?
- Grains
- Legumes
- Nightshade vegetables (Correct answer)
- Dairy
Correct answer: Nightshade vegetables
The AIP eliminates nightshade vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes) due to their alkaloid content, which may increase intestinal permeability in autoimmune conditions.
Question 2: A client with hypothyroidism should limit consumption of raw cruciferous vegetables primarily because they:
- Are high in oxalates
- Contain goitrogens that may inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis (Correct answer)
- Increase cortisol production
- Block vitamin B12 absorption
Correct answer: Contain goitrogens that may inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis
Raw cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates that convert to goitrogens, compounds that can interfere with iodine uptake and thyroid hormone production.
Question 3: The GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet protocol begins with which phase?
- Full GAPS diet with all allowed foods
- Introduction diet starting with meat broths and well-cooked vegetables (Correct answer)
- Juice fasting for 3 days
- Raw food protocol
Correct answer: Introduction diet starting with meat broths and well-cooked vegetables
GAPS Introduction diet starts with easily digestible foods like meat broths and progresses gradually to allow intestinal healing before adding more complex foods.
Question 4: Which macronutrient ratio best describes a therapeutic Mediterranean diet protocol?
- High fat (60%), low carb (10%), moderate protein (30%)
- Moderate fat (35-40%), moderate carbs (45-50%), moderate protein (15-20%) (Correct answer)
- Very low fat (10%), high carb (70%), moderate protein (20%)
- Equal macronutrient distribution (33% each)
Correct answer: Moderate fat (35-40%), moderate carbs (45-50%), moderate protein (15-20%)
The Mediterranean diet typically features a balanced macronutrient profile emphasizing healthy fats from olive oil and fish alongside whole-grain carbohydrates and lean proteins.
Question 5: When using a low-histamine diet therapeutically, which food must be avoided despite being otherwise nutritious?
- Fresh chicken breast
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut (Correct answer)
- Steamed broccoli
- Cooked white rice
Correct answer: Fermented foods like sauerkraut
Fermented foods are extremely high in histamine due to bacterial fermentation processes and must be avoided by individuals with histamine intolerance.
Question 6: A therapeutic protocol for insulin resistance would MOST likely emphasize which dietary approach?
- High-glycemic carbohydrates to stimulate insulin response
- Low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet to reduce insulin demand (Correct answer)
- Very low-protein diet to reduce gluconeogenesis
- High-fruit diet for natural sugars
Correct answer: Low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet to reduce insulin demand
A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet reduces the glucose load requiring insulin response, allowing insulin sensitivity to improve over time.
Question 7: In NTA nutritional therapy, the concept of 'bio-individuality' means that therapeutic diet protocols should be:
- Standardized identically for all clients with the same diagnosis
- Tailored to the individual's unique biochemistry, history, and responses (Correct answer)
- Based solely on published research protocols
- Applied uniformly regardless of client feedback
Correct answer: Tailored to the individual's unique biochemistry, history, and responses
Bio-individuality acknowledges that each person has unique genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors requiring personalized dietary approaches rather than one-size-fits-all protocols.
NTA Therapeutic Diets & Protocols 3
In an autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which food group is eliminated that is NOT removed in a standard Paleo diet?