What’s a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP)?
FNTPs use a deep foundational and bio-individual approach to functional, holistic nutrition to balance body chemistry and achieve optimal wellness. An FNTP has gone through extensive training to learn a hands-on skillset called the Functional Clinical Assessment (FCA) that allows them to evaluate the nutritional imbalances and deficiencies at both the body system and organ level that are unique to a specific client and create a tailored set of recommendations designed to support that client’s wellness goals.
The Nutritional Therapy Association has educated me on the foundational knowledge needed for helping individuals with their own needs. The main focus is showing the importance of a properly prepared, nutrient-dense, whole food diet. I then focus on healthy digestion, proper blood sugar regulation, fatty acids, cellular hydration and minerals stores as foundational pillars.
With my personal experience and credentials, I am able to help others heal through diet with a holistic approach.
💡 I believe that everything starts on a cellular level. For our cells to work they must have the nutrients needed to function. Most of us treat the symptoms but never address the deficiency or need on a cellular level. This worsens the original problem with out figuring out the root cause. The solution: to treat the root cause and fix the problem with nutrient dense foods.
I treat each client as a an individual versus a standard protocol for your symptoms or illness. You are unique and that’s why your care should be bio-individualized because your nutritional needs and deficiencies are not the same as mine or next person. I am so excited to be able to help others find the joy in life. I know the pain and anxiety that accompanies chronic illness, pain and not being believed. You are right to be listening to your body and I want to help you listen to your body the way it needs.
All client work is 1:1 and a lot goes on behind the scenes for me to help figure out what best meets your nutrition needs and goals. This is not a one size fits all approach and will be tailored towards your needs. This is how healthcare should be.
Options to work with me:
Functional Clinical Assessment (FCA):An in person service which I am accepting clients for beginning June 2024. The FCA is a skillset that allows the practitioner to assess imbalances and deficiencies within the body and address the following questions for each client from a bio feedback tool that uses palpation and supplement testing. It can answer: Is there a functional deficiency? What particular nutrient will work for that client? When is the client sufficient? These questions enable the practitioner to create personalized, bio-individual recommendations that are uniquely tailored for each client. Each test assesses a specific organ or system for imbalance, allowing the practitioner to communicate with the client’s body to identify potential root causes behind the symptoms or concerns presented. This is an in person assessment that requires 26 palpation points that is available for scheduling after an initial consult (HTMA or Package)
Monthly Client Packages: This is the preferred way to educate yourself on your bodies needs as we work through the foundations together and utilize functional lab testing. Depending on your needs, you will meet with me every 4-6 weeks over 3-6 months 1:1. You will have constant messaging access to me as well as multiple client guides as well as my Foundational Course gifted to you for reference.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA): This is a single session with a hair analysis that includes a consultation reviewing your bodies mineral status, metabolism and possible heavy metal exposure.
Foundational Course: Independent and self-paced, you can purchase the entire course available for purchase but gifted to package purchasers.
Anyone can start here with this test. I feel every disease starts on a cellular level. Most of us are severely deficient in minerals on a cellular level that led to our illnesses. This test is included in all of my packages.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a functional test used to provide a unique cellular reading of the mineral and heavy metal levels in your body. By analyzing small samples of recent hair growth, you can get a snapshot of what your body has been exposed to and what it is eliminating through the hair. This data is valuable for prioritizing which diet and lifestyle strategies will be most effective for addressing your bio individual needs. This is NOT a diagnostic test but instead a tool for us as nutritional professionals on how to best serve your body.
Why I use HTMA Testing:
HTMA Testing is a cellular test that analyzes your hair tissue. It is important to determine your mineral status because minerals are absolutely critical for life and abundant health. They are involved in and are necessary for cellular metabolism, structural support, nerve conduction, muscular activity, immune functions, antioxidant and endocrine activity, enzyme functions, water and acid/alkaline balance, and even DNA function.
Many things impact your mineral status. Including: food preparation, dietary habits, genetic and metabolic disorders, disease, medications, stress, environmental factors, as well as exposure to heavy metals.
Rarely does a single nutrient deficiency exist in a person today. Multiple nutritional imbalances however are quite common, contributing to an increased incidence of adverse health conditions. In fact, it is estimated that mild and sub-clinical nutritional imbalances are up to ten times more common than nutritional deficiency alone. ~ Trace Elements Inc.
What the test tells me about your body?
Metabolic Type: the rate shows how quickly your body is metabolizing energy and what macro ratios are ideal for you.
Mineral Status: this shows an overall snapshot of the major minerals in your body and if any are very high or low.
Heavy Metal Excretion: this can indicate if you are being exposed to any specific heavy metals and whether your body is excreting (or storing) them.
Mineral Ratios: all minerals affect each other to some degree, so these ratios highlight which systems need the most nutritional therapy support.
What is food sensitivity testing and what company do you use? I test with KBMO labs. I have done over five food sensitivity tests; these are expensive, and many have false negatives. This companies controls and testing practice is my favorite thus far.
They measure 132 foods, colorings and additives including Candida. Food sensitivity symptoms can range from neurological, to gastrointestinal (the entire north to south process)> They offer a gut lining package that can test your gut permeability as well. I always suggest working on your gut health prior to this test.
I offer this service and do speak highly of it, but I do not start here. Until you begin foundational healing you will test positive to a lot of foods, leaving you highly restricted. Insurance does not cover this test but HSA/FSA cards can be used. If you are interested in adding this lab to your package purchase here.
GI Map (Stool Test)
What is the GI-MAP? The GI-MAP from Diagnostic Solutions offers a comprehensive look at overall gut health. By measuring pathogens in the gastrointestinal system, it is able to determine microbes that are causing chronic illness. It also analyzes digestion, nutrient absorption, inflammation, and immune function.
The GI-MAP measures a variety of bacteria (including H. pylori), parasites, viruses, fungi/yeast, antibiotic resistance genes, and several intestinal health markers.
Because of its comprehensive analysis of gut health, the GI-MAP is a beneficial test for a wide variety of patients, from those simply looking to optimize their health to those looking for a diagnosis for chronic symptoms. It is an ideal test for patients with autoimmune diseases, IBS/IBD, gastrointestinal symptoms, brain fog, acne, psoriasis, mood disorders, diabetes, and/or weight loss issues. If you are interested in adding this lab to your package purchase here.
Dutch (Urine Test)
This is another test I offer, but do not start here due to most of the things can be corrected from the hair analysis. This test looks at sex hormones, adrenal hormones and melatonin, along with their metabolites, to identify symptoms of hormonal imbalances. The DUTCH Plus® adds the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) to bring another important piece of the HPA axis into focus. If you are interested in adding this lab to your package purchase here.
OATS (Urine Test)
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is a comprehensive test that provides valuable insight into your overall health. It can help identify issues with your gut health, nutrient deficiencies, neurotransmitter levels, and more. The OAT test report is organized into clinically useful categories including:
Intestinal Microbial Overgrowth markers evaluate for candida activity, clostridia bacteria toxins, potential mold exposure, and imbalance in the gut microflora.
Oxalate Metabolites provide insight into oxalate levels being generated by organisms within the system or via dietary contributions.
Glycolytic Cycle Metabolites and Mitochondrial Markers (Krebs Cycle and Amino Acid Metabolites) evaluate for metabolic efficiency (e.g., use of glucose and amino acids for energy generation) and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Neurotransmitter Metabolites evaluate for phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism which are linked to neurotransmitter status and quinolinic acid production.
Pyrimidine Metabolites & Ketone and Fatty Acid Oxidation markers give insight into folate status and cellular turnover, as well as mitochondrial utilization of fatty acids for energy production.
Nutritional Markers provide insight into the sufficiency of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and metabolic pathway co-factors.
Indicators of Detoxification assess for the presence of oxidative stress via markers of glutathione sufficiency and methylation versus transculturation function.
Amino Acid Metabolites may suggest functional nutrient need or be reflective of genetic metabolic dysfunction if a consistently, persistently elevated level of a particular analyte is noted.
The Mineral Metabolism marker provides insight into dietary intake of phosphate and can give insights into Vitamin D levels.
If you are interested in adding this lab to your package purchase here.
This is a great spot for everyone to start. Every monthly package receives this as a gift but is available to purchase by all. By taking this course, it will save several meetings of me educating you deeply on the basics that everybody needs to first have in the toolbox, before deeper healing can begin. The foundational knowledge MUST be completed prior to healing. If you would like to see what “priorities” are needed for your healing, take my nutritional questionnaire (NAQ) that is required for any client work to see your priority. This can help you decide if you need the entire foundational course or a specific module. Most everyone needs to focus on more than one priority, but it is a good place to get your toes wet.
Foundational Course Modules: (To purchase the individual module, click on the module name)
Nutrient Dense Foods: This is always my first priority. A diet rich in nutrient-dense, properly prepared, whole foods is the ultimate foundation of optimal health.
Digestion and Elimination: You are ultimately what you eat. That is why sourcing high quality food is as equally as important as making sure you are detoxifying and eliminating properly. You must actually absorb the nutrients you eat to benefit from them.
Blood Sugar Regulation: What goes up must come down. Stable blood sugar levels provide consistent energy, enable metabolic flexibility, and reduce stress on the body. The dips and spikes most experience from poor food choices and food combinations contribute to a boat load of symptoms (especially hormonal).
Fatty Acids: Most fats are our FRIENDS! We have been so scared of fat, that we have become accustomed to using poor ones which cause oxidation of the cells and therefore inflammation. Healthy fats are required for stable energy, optimal brain function, hormone balance, and satiety.
Mineral Balancing: Minerals are the “sparkplugs to life”. They are essential for cellular functions. They help build bones and lend a helping hand in balancing hormones and many other key body processes. Our body prefers naturally occurring minerals and stress and daily factors burn through them faster than we get them in.
Hydration:Water is essential for life, but not the first step! Water is the most important nutrient. It’s required for numerous body processes and makes up ≈60% of the body. Properly sourced water is extremely important for healing. Our water is contaminated and stripped of natural minerals. For that reason, chugging a ton of water can do more harm than good if it isn’t a great quality.
Bonus Modules: All modules come with a pantry cleanout, nutrition reading guide and sneaky ingredient list. When you purchase the entire course, you will receive a gut elimination guide and supplement guide. These are not available for individual purchase because the foundations must be addressed prior to starting here.
How to purchase?
You can purchase any package service here. If you are having any issues reach out by email at ChronicallyHolistic.com.
Chronically Holistic 