What is Nutrition Therapy?
Functional Nutritional Therapy is the application of nutrition science in the promotion of health, peak performance and individual care.
Registered Nutritional Therapists use a wide range of tools to assess and identify potential nutritional imbalances and understand how these may contribute to an individual’s symptoms and health concerns. This approach allows them to work with individuals to address nutritional balance and help support the body towards maintaining health. Nutrition Therapy is recognized as a complementary medicine and is relevant for individuals with chronic conditions, as well as those looking for support to enhance their health and well being.
Practitioners consider each individual to be unique and recommend personalized nutrition and lifestyle programs rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Practitioners never recommend nutritional therapy as a replacement for medical advice and always refer any client with ‘red flag’ signs or symptoms to their medical professional. We will also frequently work alongside a medical professional and will communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in the client’s care to explain any nutritional therapy program that has been provided.
What is the "functional clinical assessment?"
The functional assessment (FCA) is the hands on part of the initial interview, it is a process which allows us to identify organ systems under stress and then prioritize support accordingly. Every organ system is surrounded by a NEURO (brain) – VASCULAR (blood vessel) or NEURO-LYMPHATIC (lymph vessels) network. When an organ system becomes stressed, blood and or lymph is shunted to these networks in efforts to draw the necessary nutrients to support the organ. This collection of fluid takes up space and registers as tenderness in the body at that organ system which we ask you to rate between 0-10. Because of the neural or electrical connection between the brain and organs, we can place a specific nutrient on the tongue (Neuro- lingual testing) that each organ needs which is registered by the brain. If the nutrient is exactly what that organ system needs to restore function we get direct feedback within around 15 seconds via a change in tenderness rating.
Our bodies innate immune system is always trying to communicate with us (that gut instinct or hunch) but we have never been taught how to understand those signals. The FCA is the ability for each of us to communicate directly with what our bodies need.
What is "Lingual - Neural Testing?"
In lingual-neuro testing (LNT process) the taste buds are informing the brain of the necessity of a particular vitamin or mineral and the body reacts accordingly- most notably with a lessened or worsened point of tenderness after the introduction of a supplement. Receptor cells in the taste buds generate impulses in the brain and communicate with the systems, this is our bodies innate response to it's exposure of a particular substance.
Typically, directly after the functional clinical assessment is the point in which the practitioner will apply the LNT process. This is where several supplements will be utilized to asses the specific type needed. Only a small amount is introduced under the tongue, held for about 15 seconds then the FCA repeated for that particular point will be re- examined. This process will be repeated until all points of tenderness are addressed.
What do I need to do to prepare for the Functional clinical assessment?
First and foremost, be sure to have submitted all required paperwork as requested before the day of your assessment. There is alot of information that will help to minimize time spent reviewing details. The assessment generally takes about and hour to an hour and a half depending on your needs. You will want to be sure NOT to eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes prior to arriving for your appointment. (plain water is ok) Wear something comfortable avoiding clothing that may have buttons or zippers.