What are Functional Nutrition and Functional Medicine?

And what is my role as a coach?

Functional Medicine, as defined by the Institute of Functional Medicine, is an evolution of the medical practice, better fit to address the modern healthcare needs of a society in which chronic disease is becoming more and more prevalent.

As chronic diseases are often related to diet- and lifestyle- causes, addressing diet and lifestyle factors is at the core of both prevention and disease management.

And this is where Functional Nutrition fits in as a nutrition- and lifestyle-based modality of care, which works within the three major premises of the Functional Medicine model:

• root cause resolution: addressing the root causes rather than suppressing symptoms - complex cases are usually multi-factorial, and not due to one single cause

• system-thinking approach: taking into account the whole person - rather than an isolated set of symptoms - and the interconnectedness of the various biological systems, genetic makeup, environmental and lifestyle factors

• strategic partnership between the client or patient and the practitioner who work together to meet health goals and outcomes.

As a coach, working with a functional nutrition approach, I work side by side with the client; I am present in his/her everyday life, when food and lifestyle choices are made and signs and symptoms appear and can be tracked. The work we do together is an exploration journey in which I help the client identify her own goals first and then work towards them through sustainable food and lifestyle modifications.

I do that by offering education on the relationships between food and physiology, lifestyle habits and health outcomes.

Supported by my background in experimental research, I help the client methodically assess the current situation, track signals such as signs and symptoms as well as food- and lifestyle- choices, introduce changes specific to her, analyse and re-assess.

This allows the client to become aware of the most important dietary and lifestyle factors, unique to her, having an effect on her own body and learn how to use them as tools to feel at her best, according to her own vision for her health.

The main areas we work together on are: sleep and relaxation, exercise and movement, nutrition and hydration, stress and resilience, relationships and networks.

Had you heard about functional medicine before? Have you ever worked with a functional medicine/nutrition practitioner? Would you like to learn more?

Let me know in the comments below!