17 Jan What Does a Functional Nutritionist Do?

There’s a lot of talk about holistic and functional nutrition counseling. At NYC Nutritionist, every appointment we have with our clients, either online or virtual, can be considered functional and holistic nutrition counseling.

Why?

What is a functional nutritionist?

A functional nutritionist personalizes dietary interventions based on each person’s unique needs, medical conditions, wellness and nutrition goals, and lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan, and our expert dietitians work to ensure each patient that walks in the door is heard and their nutritional needs are met.

What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Functional Nutritionist?

It’s important to understand the difference between a dietitian nutritionist and a functional nutritionist. The differences lie in education, licensing, scope of practice, and approach.

As dietitian nutritionists in New York, we all have:

• completed our bachelor’s degrees in dietetics, nutrition, and/or related fields from accredited programs.
• completed supervised internships and passed national exams to become RDNs
• We can work in clinics, schools, hospitals, and private practices.
• As medical professionals, we can diagnose and treat nutrition-related conditions.

A functional nutritionist, who is not a dietitian nutritionist, might not have a standardized degree and cannot diagnose medical conditions.

In NYC Nutritionist, we are all dietitians who practice functional nutrition. This means we focus on addressing the root causes of health issues by tailoring dietary and lifestyle interventions. While they don’t diagnose or treat medical conditions in the same way a doctor would, they can support a wide range of health concerns and complement medical care.

What conditions can a functional dietitian nutritionist help manage and treat?

 Digestive Issues

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Acid reflux (GERD)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis
• Food intolerances and sensitivities
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Metabolic and Hormonal Imbalances

• Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
• Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Fatty Liver Disease
• Adrenal fatigue or HPA-axis dysfunction

Autoimmune Conditions

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Psoriasis

Cardiovascular Health

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol or dyslipidemia
• Atherosclerosis

Mental Health and Neurological Concerns

• Anxiety and depression (supporting through gut-brain connection)
• Brain fog or cognitive decline
• Migraines

Weight Management

• Difficulty losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
• Metabolic disorders

Skin Conditions

• Eczema
• Acne
• Rosacea

Chronic Fatigue and Inflammation

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Generalized chronic inflammation

Allergies and Immune Health

• Seasonal allergies
• Recurrent infections
• Low immune function

Reproductive and Prenatal Health

• Fertility support
• Preconception and prenatal nutrition
• Menopause symptoms

We provide online and face-to-face nutrition counseling focusing on dietary, lifestyle, and supplement strategies to optimize your health. We will work with your primary care physicians, endocrinologists, pediatricians, therapists, and more to ensure holistic and comprehensive care.