Functional Nutrition

Genes + Nutrition = Nutrigenomics

DNA affects how the body responds to food, toxins, exercise, stress, medicine, supplements and much more.

Nutrigenomics explores how foods and nutrients change the way genes express themselves, while Nutrigenetics looks at response to nutrients based on genetic profile. Knowing both Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics enables tailored nutrition, lifestyle and environmental recommendations that can effectively reduce the risk of disease and optimize health. It is a precision plan specific to you.

A DNA report provides personalized recommendations for targeted supplements; specific nutrients for the body’s needs; and environmental, lifestyle, and exercise strategies that will have a great impact on overall health. During consultation we will discuss specific ways to optimize DNA in areas that you are challenged by; for instance, digestion, mood disorders, memory, and cardiovascular.

DNA testing can identify certain gene variances that affect how the body transports, synthesizes, converts, or absorbs vitamins and nutrients. For example, genetically, a reduced ability to transport vitamin B12 into cells may exist. This nutrient is essential for both brain and blood cells as well as making DNA. Your unique variance would require you to focus on an active form of vitamin B12 supplementation and utilize animal protein for your vitamin B12 source.

In addition, micronutrient tests can pinpoint just where nutrient deficiencies are. With supportive nutrition and sometimes supplements, these imbalances can be corrected.

The digestive system is the Grand Central Station of the body, the hub through which the body takes in, digests, and absorbs nutrients. It plays a central role in the health of the body.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to the immune system, and much of the inflammation is triggered in the digestive system.

Constant, low-level immune system activation from toxins, pathogens, diet, food sensitivities, leaky gut, dysbiosis and genetics lie at the root of many serious illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and cancers.

Inflammation can be a good thing until it gets out of balance. It can be acute or chronic, beginning as a warning that indicates something is wrong. Over time, if left untreated, it then becomes chronic systemic inflammation. Most people do not recognize the signs of inflammation as an indication of a much bigger health issue.

Common symptoms of chronic inflammation:

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Bloating
• Brain fog
• Chronic fatigue
• Declining memory and cognition
• Depression
• Digestive issues
• Environmental toxins
• Excess alcohol
• Excess exercise
• Food sensitivities
• Gut dysbiosis
• Insomnia
• Insulin resistance
• Joint pain
• Lack of exercise
• Leaky gut
• Obesity
• Standard American Diet (SAD)
• Stress
• Trauma
• Weight fluctuations

Because chronic inflammation contributes to so many of society’s most debilitating conditions —including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disorders — addressing chronic inflammation can be an effective whole body approach to treating current illnesses while preventing future conditions.

Most importantly, a healthy digestive system is THE KEY to overall health, through managing inflammation and making sure to get the nutrients the body needs for activity, balanced immunity, growth, repair and other vital processes.

Nutrition plays an important role in taming inflammation, and anti-inflammatory diets work particularly well.

An anti-inflammatory diet works to control chronic inflammation. Choosing foods with specific nutrients is what is important to help the body maintain optimum health.

By reducing pro-inflammatory foods (such as red meat, refined and processed foods, sugar, oxidized cooking oils and alcohol) and eating foods rich in protective anti-inflammatory phytonutrients (including berries, colorful veggies, nuts, herbs, tea and dark chocolate) inflammation can be reduced, experience more energy and optimize your health.

What if you were around pesticides and chemicals because of your job or through household and garden products? Perhaps you live or work in a water-damaged building or a home where mold thrives?

Detoxification is the body’s natural way to neutralize and get rid of toxins. If the body is unable to flush toxins out, they build up and create health issues such as brain fog, tiredness, neurological decline, and general aches and pains in the body.

Yes, you can optimize this natural detoxification process. Learning how your biochemical pathways are functioning will guide us toward which supplements work best, how to modify and enhance your diet, and where you should look to reduce toxic exposure.

Food sensitivity testing is the most effective way to identify which foods are a challenge for the body. From there, we can create a customized Resilience Roadmap to address your sensitivities, expand your range of nutritious foods, heal the gut, lower inflammation and regain well-being.