What is Functional Diagnostic Nutrition?
FDN bridges the gap between clinical nutrition and functional medicine.
It is a holistic modality that utilizes functional laboratory assessments to identify malfunctions and underlying conditions at the root of most common health complaints.
FDN is one of the best ways to uncover the hidden stressors in your body that are causing metabolic chaos and a state of dysfunction.
I’m sure that many of you visited the doctor’s office at some point for symptoms like sleep disorders, stomach and digestion issues, unexplainable aches and pain, migraines etc….
Amid the conventional medical model, the physician most often prescribes medication for the relief and alleviation of symptoms…….and at times, even surgery.
For example, years ago, before I acquired my FDN and holistic nutritionist certifications, my husband was suffering from severe burning sensations in his abdomen. His GI physician couldn’t find the devastating culprit of the excruciating pain in his gallbladder. He suggested that it may be inflamed and recommended removing it…..it was as simple as that……he didn’t seem to think that my husband’s gallbladder was a significant enough of an organ that’s worth saving and healing. He assured my husband that the gallbladder is neither essential, nor necessary for optimal health…yes! That is exactly what he told him!
After a couple of painful episodes, and a visit to the emergency room, my husband decided to move forward with the procedure to remove his gallbladder. After the surgery, the doctor confirmed that his gallbladder was a little inflamed, but it was not infected and did not contain any stones.
Today, thanks to all of the holistic health and nutrition education I acquired, I’ve learned that the gallbladder is, in fact, an essential organ for optimal health. It stores the bile that our liver produces, and secretes it into the intestinal tract upon digestion. Bile is crucial for digestion and utilization of fats. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties as it binds to toxins and removes them out of the body. Not having this essential organ inflicts great stress on the human body, and if not supported, can lead to metabolic chaos.
Unlike the medical model, the FDN model does not address symptoms specifically, but does address everything you are feeling and experiencing in a non-specific manner with the focus on bringing your body back to harmony, balance and optimal health. Every cell, tissue, and organ system in the body is influenced by these factors and represent the heart of epigenetic principles.
The best results are not achieved by chasing symptoms, but by focusing instead on a holistic, lifestyle based program that includes lab-guided diets, rest, exercise, stress management and supplementation.