What is Functional Nutritional Therapy?

Functional Nutritional Therapy is a new name for a timeless concept. Humans have used nutrition for millennia to maintain health and vitality. With the industrialization of food in the last century, we have lost sight of this connection.

The goal of Nutritional Therapy is to encourage people to become knowledgeable about—and responsible for—their own health. Functional Nutritional Therapy practitioners spend time with their clients, listening to their histories, and reviewing interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health. Functional Nutritional Therapy supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual through real food and by connecting to the innate wisdom of their own body to support wellness.

This is accomplished by bringing balance to the five foundations of health:

Digestion
Blood Sugar Regulation
Fatty Acid Balance
Mineral Balance
Hydration

By supporting each of these foundations and helping clients adopt a more nutrient-dense diet, the body’s chemistry can be brought back into natural balance. Every person is unique. This uniqueness, known as bio-individuality, can determine the nutritional needs of each person. Bio-individuality comes from our genetic and geographical composition as well as our lifestyle choices (stress management, sleep, movement etc.)

Nutritional Therapy can reverse negative effects of the modern diet. It can help identify and correct nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. It does not diagnose or treat disease, but instead makes nutritional recommendations for balancing the body and promoting optimal health.

Signs indicating you need to focus on your nutrition and lifestyle in order to regain optimal health:

Lack of energy or hyperactivity, or both at throughout the day. Unfortunately, it is common for people to be tired all the time. But that is not normal.
General unwellness or dis-ease: Headaches. Disrupted sleep or insomnia. Frequent illness or congestion.
Digestive issues. A need for anti-acids, feeling bloated or gassy after meals is not normal. Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, or heartburn, are signs your body is asking for help.
Hypertension or high cholesterol, and blood sugar issues (pre-diabetes, diabetes)
Weight. Being underweight, or more commonly overweight, is a definite sign of imbalance between what our body needs and what it’s getting. Our bodies were designed to be lean and strong and to remain that way all our lives.
Emotions and mind can be affected by nutritional deficiencies and toxicity. This includes anxiety, irritability, and depression, as well as brain fog, poor memory, concentration, or comprehension.
Skin conditions. Skin is one of our major detoxification pathways. If you’re seeing chronic skin conditions, it may be coming from the inside out. Topical treatments only address the symptoms and not the root cause.
Autoimmune diseases. Often this is the immune system malfunctioning and attacking itself.
A Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) is trained to evaluate your nutritional needs and make recommendations of dietary change and nutritional supplements. No comment or recommendation from your FNTP should be construed as a medical diagnosis or prescription.

Reaching optimal health requires sincere commitment, possible lifestyle changes, and a positive attitude. If you are willing to change how you eat and live, Nutritional Therapy is the right approach for you. A nutritional therapy plan encompasses: