Diet is emphasized in naturopathic medicine and nutritional therapy originates there. Because food is essential to life, therapies involving plants, foods and nutritional elements naturally are fundamental to a person’s health and well-being. Diet then becomes a "tool for living" not just a second thought.

Nutrients prescribed are called "dietary" or "food supplements". These may include tablets, capsules, powders or liquids of various nutritional supplements. Therapy is tailored to each individual, with specific conditions treated accordingly.

The approach has been proven effective for stress and stress related disorders, arthritis, circulatory problems, women’s problems, including PMS, infertility, PNJ and menopause, joint and bone problems.

Megavitamin therapy, often used, involves taking more than the "normal" dosage of certain vitamins, although it is discouraged by the established medical community. This approach has been used to fight the common cold, cancer, but not without adverse side effects in certain patients. More than half of all Americans daily take nutritional supplements, since more of our food is lacking in one or another of the essential vitamins.