Functional Nutrition Therapy Services

What is Functional Diagnostic Nutrition®?

Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) Practitioners are like health detectives. We use specialized tests and your personal health history to determine what could contribute to your health issues.

FDNs help you understand the underlying reasons for your symptoms. They gather information from your lab results and health history to determine what’s stressing your body. The goal is to help you improve your health through personalized diet and lifestyle changes without making medical diagnoses or providing treatments.

I Have Tried it All...Can You Help Me?

Your body is meant to work at its best, and a functional approach helps it get back on track. If you’re struggling with issues like fatigue, depression, or unexplained weight gain, this approach focuses on finding the root cause of your problems rather than just treating the symptoms. Many people get stuck in a cycle of trying different treatments without finding relief. Instead, the functional approach aims to identify and address the underlying stressors on your body, helping you achieve overall balance and feel better.

Complex Chronic Illness

We help people understand and optimize their health while living with complex chronic illnesses, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. We also assist people living with conditions like:

Mast Cell Disorders, including MCAS
Histamine Intolerance
Lyme Disease and Coinfections
Mold Toxicity and Illness
Biotoxin Illness
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
Burnout Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
MS
ALS
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epilepsy
Mental Health and Psychiatric Disorders
Dementia / Alzheimer's
Parkinson's Disease
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POCOS)
Metabolic Syndrome
Menopause

Lichen Sclerosus Resources

We work with many women (and a few men) suffering from Lichen Sclerosus (LS) since Heather is also an LS Warrior. There are very few resources for LS. Here are some helpful resources for LS sufferers waiting for your consultation or lab results.

Lichen Sclerosis Comprehensive Diet Guide—If you'd like to troubleshoot independently but are not ready to work 1:1, learn about your nutritional requirements.
Lichen Sclerosus Provider Directory - Search for doctors who at least know what LS is in your area.
Lichen Sclerosus Overview - Written by Dr. Jill Krapf, M.D., one of the leading medical specialists on LS.
Lichen Sclerosus Alternative Treatment Guide - Comprehensive overview of all available treatment options, fully cited.
Navigating Lichen Sclerosus Topical Steroid Treatments - Guide to topical steroids.
Understanding the Risk of VIN and Cancer - Walkthrough of the risk of developing vulvar cancer.
The Lichen Sclerosus Support Network - All things LS support
Sharing is Caring Lichen Sclerosus Facebook Support Group - A non-judgemental and open group for peer-to-peer support and sharing.
My Secret Topical Salve Recipe and Other Resources - Tools that may be helpful while you wait.

Our Approach to Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity Tripod: 3 requirements to autoimmune disease - genetics, microbiome, triggers

We use the "three-legged stool" concept to explain autoimmune disease, a theory developed by researcher Dr. Alessio Fasano. This concept suggests that three key factors must be present for autoimmune issues to build:

Stressors/Triggers: The right genes aren’t enough to cause an autoimmune disease. Research shows that genes need to be triggered by environmental stressors. These stressors can cause the immune system to react inappropriately due to your genetic makeup. Finding and addressing these stressors through functional testing and lifestyle changes is crucial when living with autoimmune conditions.

Genetics: There isn’t just one gene responsible for autoimmune diseases. Instead, several genetic variations can make the body more prone to autoimmune conditions. These genes might affect how the body processes nutrients, breaks down hormones, or removes toxins. At-home tests, like those from Nutrition Genome, can help reveal these genetic predispositions.

Microbiome: The health of your gut bacteria (microbiome) is crucial. When the gut is not functioning correctly, it puts extra stress on the immune system. A damaged gut lining can lead to chronic immune activation and difficulty absorbing essential nutrients. Vitamin D is necessary for immune health.

Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies

The Ketogenic Diet is well-known for treating epilepsy and may also support people living with conditions like cancer, metabolic diseases, mental health issues, and chronic migraines. When suitable, we offer personalized ketogenic diet recommendations and coaching for children and adults.

Nutrigenomics Precision Nutrition

Everyone’s body is different, so different treatments work for people with the same autoimmune condition. We’ll work together to:

Assess and address your microbiome issues, which might go beyond a leaky gut.
Examine your genes to understand your unique genetic vulnerabilities and develop a tailored management plan.
Use lab data to identify all the factors causing stress to your body and create a plan to restore balance naturally.

What You Can Expect

Here’s a general overview of what will happen during our time together:

Receive Lab Kits and Forms: You’ll start by receiving lab kits to collect samples and several intake forms to complete online. You’ll also keep a food and mood journal.
Collect Lab Samples: Follow the instructions provided with your kits to collect samples like hair, urine, saliva, stool, or blood. Send these samples back as directed.
Initial Results & Recommendations: Once we get your lab results and other documents, we’ll prepare an initial plan for you. We’ll schedule a 90-120-minute session to review your results in detail and discuss a personalized diet and lifestyle plan. Supplement recommendations, if needed, will be provided at discounted rates through Fullscript.
Follow-Up Sessions: Depending on your package, you’ll have several 60-minute follow-up sessions over the next 3-12 months. These sessions will help track progress, address issues, and offer ongoing support. Sessions are held via Zoom, but you can join without video. You can also contact me directly through the PracticeBetter chat feature between sessions.