What is Functional Wellness?
Functional wellness is a component of functional medicine, a health care practice that attempts to understand and resolve the underlying root causes of imbalance and illness in the body. At its core, functional nutrition is a philosophy that promotes the use of food as medicine to prevent and alleviate diet and lifestyle-related disease. By looking at your whole picture -- diet, symptoms, illness history, medications, lifestyle, stress, lab work, toxic exposure, history of antibiotic use, etc., we are able to put together an overall plan. That plan serves as a trail map of the nutrition your body needs to regain health and prevent illness. With functional nutrition we are able to promote healing by emphasizing diet and lifestyle changes, and nutritional supplements instead of simply masking symptoms. Lab testing may be used to determine root causes and to guide treatment.
How does mental health fit in?
An emerging body of evidence has suggested that nutrition plays an important role in mental health. In the past, most studies have focused on the association of depression with specific nutrients or foods. However, the effect of nutrition on health is complex and often involves interactions between different nutrients and a variety of food components in addition to health behavior. I want to help you find the root cause of your depression and anxiety so you can feel like yourself again.
The goal of mental health nutrition is to reestablish a healthy equilibrium in the body, so you feel well and have the confidence to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Please keep in mind: as a mental health nutritionist, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor trained in nutrition. I am NOT a doctor. While I can work collaboratively with you and your other practitioners, functional nutrition is not a replacement for conventional (or alternative) medicine.
Why would you need to see me?
- You have symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, burnout, weight gain/weight loss resistance, depression, anxiety, but your conventional doctor says everything is normal.
- You suspect thyroid issues, but have been told everything is fine.
- You just don’t feel yourself, but all your blood work from your doctors come back “normal”.
- You have chronic constipation, bloating, belly discomfort or heartburn, but aren’t sure why.
- You’re wondering how food and diet can make you feel better and/or if you’re eating the right diet for you.
- You read a lot about food, diet and health, but need some help discerning how to prioritize this information.
- You feel like you’re not being heard by your current healthcare practitioners.