Integrative and Functional Medicine is an integrative, science-based approach incorporating traditional medical practices as well as alternative medicine. The goal is to uncover the underlying causes of disease and not just treat the symptoms.

Integrative and Functional Medicine is a shift from the traditional disease-centered approach to medicine to a holistic patient-centered focus. Physicians will treat patients with drugs or surgery to address immediate danger or symptoms. The goal in traditional medicine is not in the prevention or to resolve the underlying cause of a long-term illness or disease.

Many physicians are not adequately trained to assess underlying causes of disease and how the outcomes may be influenced by nutrition, exercise and diet.

As an Integrative and functional nutrition RDN I consider the diagnosis but then seek to answer “Why does the client have this illness/symptom?”.

This approach looks to determine the food sensitivity, chemical pathway, deficiency or imbalance needs to be corrected to restore health. Optimal health is not about treating symptoms of disease. It is eliminating the cause of the symptoms, often through foods and micronutrients (vitamin and mineral supplements) and ideally removes chemical intervention (medicines).

I use the most up-to-date research and laboratory results but most of all, information gathered from the individual seeking help.

I spend time with clients, encouraging each patient to share his/her medical, nutrition and social history to better understand each client and together, develop an individualized approach to best incorporate a client’s needs, preferences and lifestyle.

I consider diet, exercise habits, genetics, the physical and social environments as they contribute to optimal health. As an integrative and functional nutrition RDN, I embrace a holistic, personalized approach to health and healing.

Some strategies used in integrative and functional nutrition clinical practice include

  • whole foods
  • exercise
  • supplements
  • botanicals
  • therapeutic diets
  • detoxification,
  • stress-management techniques
  • mind-body modalities

Health is not just the absence of disease. When was the last time you felt physically, mentally and spiritually well?