FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
Functional Nutrition
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What is Functional Nutrition?
Functional Nutrition is a food-first approach that utilizes evidence-based techniques combined with a holistic lens to develop the most effective plan to address the root cause of imbalance or illness, rather than merely treating or masking symptoms. Food is medicine, and it all starts with what foods we put into our mouth.
The basis of functional nutrition lies in a systems biology approach where organ systems in the body are considered interconnected to the mind and to the spirit. Oftentimes, if one system in the body is suffering, that can bleed over into other systems and cause health issues to compound.
In functional nutrition we assess your health using a detailed health history analysis in addition to functional lab testing. Factors that we consider are food intake, gut health, toxic burden, immune function, sleep, movement, social connectedness, and sense of purpose. Each of these factors can negatively affect optimal health when out of balance.
We then take that information and collaborate with you to create a unique plan that will get you feeling your best. We do not use protocols and we will spend as much time as necessary to help you discover the answers that you are looking for.
Why is functional nutrition something I should consider?
Personalized Approach: A functional nutritionist considers your unique biochemistry, health history, and specific needs. They develop a personalized plan tailored to your individual requirements, maximizing the effectiveness of your nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
Comprehensive Assessment: We work to identify potential nutrient deficiencies, imbalances, and underlying root causes that may impact your overall health and well-being. This is done with a comprehensive health history assessment and may also include functional laboratory tests to assess your nutrient status.
Targeted Treatment: By understanding your individual biochemistry, we can target specific areas of concern and recommend targeted nutritional interventions, lifestyle modifications, and dietary adjustments to optimize your health and address underlying imbalances or deficiencies.
Holistic Perspective: We consider the interconnectedness of various systems within your body. They look beyond individual symptoms and strive to identify underlying imbalances that contribute to your health concerns. This holistic approach helps address the root causes rather than merely alleviating symptoms.
Root Cause of Imbalance: We focus on proactive interventions that address the root cause of your concerns. We analyze your comprehensive health history to help identify potential risks or imbalances before they manifest as health issues. This proactive approach empowers you to make informed choices to optimize your health and prevent future health complications.
Collaboration with Healthcare Providers: We will often work collaboratively with other healthcare providers, including doctors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and integrative practitioners to develop a comprehensive and integrative plan that is designed to fit in with your unique lifestyle and needs.
Education and Empowerment of Clients: Our goal is to educate and empower you to take an active role in your health journey. We will explain the significance of any imbalances that we uncover, teach you about nutrition and lifestyle choices, and guide you towards making informed decisions for long-term health and well-being.
What should I expect from the process?
We start with a comprehensive set of intake forms where you will share information about your history, dietary habits, health concerns, lifestyle habits, and what your goals are for working with a nutritionist. Using this information, we will develop a sense of what systems in your body are functioning well, and what systems may be out of balance and require attention.
Our initial consultation will be about 90 minutes. This time allows us to get to know each other better and understand your goals and expectations for our partnership. Your health history is essential in understanding your health journey comprehensively. We’ll explore your history from birth to the present day, toxin exposure, lifestyle habits, and diet history. This will help us uncover potential triggers for imbalances and health concerns.
Based on the information gathered from our discussions and any functional lab information, we will design a unique plan for you that may include specific dietary adjustments, lifestyle modifications, supplement recommendations, and functional test recommendations that are tailored to your individual requirements.
What should I expect to get from my first visit?
In your first visit, you will receive an initial food plan with other individualized lifestyle, supplement, and exercise recommendations. You may also receive a recommendation for further testing in the form of a functional stool or urine test, or in some cases, we may recommend that you obtain labs from your primary health care provider.
After the initial assessment, we will meet every 2-3 weeks to help keep you on track with your progress. We will make dietary, supplement, and lifestyle adjustments as needed. Our goal is to support and meet you where you are at. Change takes time, and we are here to help you go as fast or as slow as possible as you implement changes.
As part of our support, we provide electronic meal planning with a nutrition prescription that is specific to your body’s needs, as well as access to your nutritionist via messaging in-between visits.
Will I have to complete labs?
The short answer is yes. Functional labs can play a crucial role in understanding your body’s current state of health. They can help us identify potential nutrient and mineral deficiencies or imbalances, and which areas of digestion, absorption, or elimination may require attention. They also help us recommend appropriate dietary modifications and targeted supplementation to optimize your nutrient levels and support your overall health.
In most cases, we will likely recommend one or more functional tests. Common functional tests may include stool and/or urine samples, and we may also request that your primary health care provider order blood tests to help provide a more complete picture of your health status.
Functional laboratory testing is an additional cost to you. That said, it is an investment in your health, especially if you have been unable to pinpoint what may be causing your health concerns. Importantly, we only recommend the tests that we feel will help give us the answers that you are looking for.
Will I need to be on supplements?
Oftentimes short-term supplement therapy can be very useful to reboot the body, replenish nutrients status, and may also help to heal gut imbalances. We use supplements conservatively and strive to get you to a place where you are getting all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from the foods you eat.
We utilize FullScript for our supplements to ensure that you receive the highest quality supplements that have been third party tested for toxins, heavy metals, molds, and common allergens. Although the cost of quality supplements is higher than you may find on some online sites, the quality standards are the highest.
What will I be able to eat while working with a functional nutritionist?
This will be personalized to your specific needs and/or imbalance(s). We offer food plans for general health, metabolic health, glucose regulation, gut restoration, autoimmune conditions, inflammatory conditions, skin health, fatigue, food sensitivities, weight management, and food allergies.
Our goal is to meet you where you are currently at. The food plan that we develop for you will support your individual goals, health concerns and lifestyle.