What Is Nutritional Therapy? Nutritional therapy, also known as nutritional counseling or diet therapy, is a healthcare practice that involves the use of nutrition and dietary choices to improve a person's overall health and well-being, as well as to prevent or support specific medical conditions. It is typically provided by registered dietitians, nutritionists, or healthcare professionals with expertise in nutrition.
What are some conditions you support? The goals of nutritional therapy can vary and may include:
Addressing nutritional deficiencies: Nutritional therapists can identify and correct nutrient deficiencies in an individual's diet, ensuring they receive the essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients they need for good health.
Managing chronic diseases: Nutritional therapy can play a crucial role in managing and preventing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension. It often involves creating personalized dietary plans to control and improve these conditions.
Weight management: Nutritional therapists can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight through tailored diet plans and lifestyle recommendations.
Food allergies and intolerances: They can assist individuals in identifying and managing food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances.
Digestive disorders: Nutritional therapy can provide guidance on dietary changes to alleviate symptoms associated with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Sports nutrition: Athletes often seek nutritional therapy to optimize their performance, improve recovery, and meet their specific dietary requirements.
Pregnancy and prenatal nutrition: Nutritional therapists can offer guidance on maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy to support the health of both the mother and the developing fetus.
Optimal nutrition for specific life stages: Nutritional therapy can address the unique dietary needs of children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.
The process typically involves a thorough assessment of an individual's dietary habits, lifestyle, and health goals. Based on this assessment, a personalized nutrition plan is developed, which may include recommendations for dietary changes, portion control, food choices, and, in some cases, the use of dietary supplements. Nutritional therapists often work collaboratively with clients to provide ongoing support and monitor progress.
Can I order labs? Yes! We recommend it. Functional lab testing focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just treating symptoms. These tests are used by healthcare professionals, particularly in the field of functional medicine, to gain deeper insights into a patient's health and well-being. Functional lab tests look at various aspects of an individual's physiology, including hormones, nutrients, metabolic markers, and more, to provide a comprehensive understanding of their health status. Here are some key points about functional lab testing:
Holistic Approach: Functional lab testing takes a holistic approach to healthcare, looking at the interconnectedness of various bodily systems. It considers how imbalances or dysfunction in one area can affect overall health.
Personalized Medicine: The tests are often used to create personalized treatment plans. By understanding the individual's unique biomarkers, practitioners can tailor interventions and recommendations to address specific issues.
Identifying Root Causes: These tests aim to identify the underlying causes of health problems, such as nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities, and environmental toxins. This can be especially valuable for chronic and complex conditions.
Preventive Care: Functional lab testing can also be used for preventive care. It can help individuals identify potential health risks and take action before serious conditions develop.
Comprehensive Testing: Functional lab tests can encompass a wide range of areas, including:
Hormone testing: To assess imbalances in hormones like cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones.
Nutritional testing: To determine nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.
Gut health testing: To evaluate the state of the digestive system, including the presence of harmful bacteria, parasites, or candida overgrowth.
Food sensitivity and allergy testing: To identify foods that may trigger inflammation or immune reactions.
Metabolic and genetic testing: To assess metabolic markers and genetic predispositions to certain health conditions.
Environmental toxin testing: To detect exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, or other environmental toxins.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Functional lab test results provide quantifiable data that can guide healthcare practitioners in making informed decisions about treatment and lifestyle interventions.
Follow-Up and Monitoring: Functional lab tests can be used to track progress and adjust treatment plans over time. This allows for ongoing monitoring of a patient's health and the effectiveness of interventions.
It's important to note that functional lab testing is typically conducted by healthcare professionals who are trained in functional medicine, such as naturopathic doctors, integrative medicine practitioners, and functional medicine doctors. These tests are often used in conjunction with a thorough medical history, physical examination, and other diagnostic tools to provide a comprehensive understanding of a patient's health. Functional lab testing should be interpreted and used in a clinical context by a qualified healthcare provider to ensure that the results are applied appropriately to the individual's unique health needs.
How many sessions will I need?
The package options are as follows. Foundational Initial Consult (15 min) Initial Intake (1 hr.) 1 follow-up (45-min) 2 email credits Comprehensive resource guide
More Support GI MAP x 2 HTMA x 2 DUTCH x 2 Initial Consult (15 min) Initial Intake (1 hr) 6 follow-ups (45-min) 15 email credits Comprehensive resource guide
Continued Care package: 3 lab credits 30 email credits for 6 months 2 monthly calls Unlimited updates to protocols
Who is my nutritionist? Kiara is a trauma-informed integrative health specialist, passionately melding nutritional therapy, advanced functional labs, and profound somatic techniques to pave the way for comprehensive healing. Specializing in aiding individuals grappling with chronic fatigue, digestive troubles, mental health imbalances and systemic dysregulation, Kiara’s methods are deeply rooted in her personal health odyssey. This journey illuminated the intricate bond between her emotional and physical being, revealing their inseparability. Trained with the NTA, FDN, RCPC, Pause Breathwork, SEI and The Embody Lab, Kiara empowers individuals to overcome chronic issues and lead fulfilling lives.