Functional nutrition practitioners take a holistic approach to diet and wellness. They assess the entire body and evaluate environmental exposures, stress levels, digestive problems, and activity levels.

Functional nutrition can help regulate body systems to perform at optimal levels. If there is a problem in the body, then functional nutrition can be a good treatment option or can be used alongside conventional treatment.

Common issues we see in our office: Blood Sugar dysregulation, autoimmunity, digestion, adrenal fatigue, chronic pain, fatigue, inflammation, brain fog, sleep irregularities, and more!

Functional Nutrition is beneficial for anyone who is looking to improve their overall health. It can be particularly helpful for those who are experiencing digestive issues, chronic diseases, or are simply looking to prevent disease.

Research has shown that the gut microbiome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, general inflammation, autoimmunity, and stress are directly correlated. Nutrition and lifestyle changes play a key role in improving and managing these conditions.

Functional nutrition is based upon providing the nutrients the body needs to function optimally and to support an issue the body is having. Depending on what’s going on in your body, it can potentially be difficult to provide the concentration of nutrients needed through food alone when dealing with deficiencies, so supplements and herbs are sometimes utilized when you are in agreement.

A conventional nutritionist tends to work within a traditional, standardized framework, primarily focusing on meeting basic dietary requirements, preventing overt nutrient deficiencies, and managing chronic diseases. Conventional nutrition care often adheres to government dietary guidelines, such as the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

Functional nutrition is highly personalized, proactive, and preventive, accounting for the individual's unique nutritional needs, health concerns, and food preferences. A functional nutritionist will not diagnose or prescribe treatments for specific conditions, but instead provide insight and education about nutrition and behaviors and provide suggestions for improvement.

The power of functional nutrition is a dynamic and continuous journey that evolves as your health changes and improves. A functional nutritionist looks at the individual as a whole, taking into account their overall lifestyle, diet and the current status of their mental and physical health. To account for so many contributing factors that affect a person’s health and nutrition, when customizing a plan for improvement a functional nutrition practitioner will focus on the root cause of a person’s health problems. While the defining details will vary from person to person, typically each plan will include a comprehensive review of:

• Medical history

• Medications/supplements

• Organ systems

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Food sensitivities

Unfortunately, insurance does not currently pay for functional medicine or functional nutrition, so it is a self-pay service.