What is Functional Nutrition & Why is it Helpful? Functional nutrition takes the viewpoint that the human body operates as one unit. The “parts” don’t work individually, rather the parts influence each other and as a whole. The parts would be the different organs and communication systems. The communication systems being the nervous, immune, and hormone systems. The organ systems being the liver, kidney, GI, brain, etc. All the parts are receiving and sending out information. Functional nutrition is the understanding that through food, lifestyle, and supplemental support, the function of the whole can be improved and/or enhanced. When a certain “part'' is functioning inappropriately it affects the whole. When seeing a sign or symptom it is rarely the direct cause, due to the parts affecting the whole. Therefore, the previously mentioned interventions can bring the “part” back into alignment with the whole and elevate the sign or symptom. An example in a hot topic today is hormone fluctuations. If your hormones are “out of balance”, there are likely dysfunctions that can be addressed in what are commonly called the “few roots”. When addressed appropriately and supported, this will help to correct the hormone imbalance. I have seen time and again, with clients and myself, when the tenants of functional nutrition are applied; overall health, performance, and healing are all byproducts. Components of Functional Nutrition Food: The crux of functional nutrition is the food that we ingest, and its impact on our physiology. Macro & micro nutrients have different effects on our body. For example; antioxidants help decrease inflammation and manipulating carbohydrates & healthy fats can influence proper hormone production. Also, how our body responds to the food that we ingest. Depending on our health state, genetic makeup, history, etc. each person can respond differently to the same food. Ultimately, the goal is to use food to improve your health and increase your potential for performance. disease states happen the signs are often there. I often think of celiac when it comes to this conversation. An individual isn’t diagnosed with celiac disease until 99% of the villi in the intestines are destroyed. From a functional nutrition viewpoint, there is nutritional, lifestyle, or other support that can be implemented before the diagnosis of celiac disease is given, by the appropriate provider. This same viewpoint is taken for most “symptoms” we experience. Even when people are experiencing mood instability, skin irregularities, and other subtle experiences people have. How do I use this as a strength coach/trainer? Athletes and people looking for higher level help in their training, experience these “lower level” symptoms frequently. When not addressed they can manifest into greater issues, or limit the result possible through training and standard nutrition guidance. Identifying symptoms that will limit performance and health, will help to keep athletes in the game and active individuals in the gym. The whole vs the parts: In the U.S. we are used to the approach that the body has parts. There are departments for cardiovascular, respiratory, ENT, brain, etc. All of these separate departments are helpful, typical in acute situations. However, this is not how the body functions. The parts are not separated from the whole. Even though the “issue” is manifesting in one area of the body. This does not mean the solution is in the same place. What does this mean for training clients, who may not be having glaring physiological problems? One symptom that is not always associated with a symptom, is being resistant to weight loss. I have had ultra distance running clients that track training, calories, hydration, and sleep. They want to hit the lowest weight possible while still performing at a high level, and complete a race. However, they were stuck as a certain weight, even with caloric restriction. After assessing, and understanding their history, we implemented some healing measures. Targeted at the GI (gastric intestinal), adrenal, and lifestyle. They were able to drop some weight and improve body composition, while improving running performance. Without looking at the whole system, we would have been stuck on manipulating calories and macros. In saying this, when an individual finds a holistic or functional medicine provider, a myriad of tests are often suggested. This can be costly, and not all have great success. This can turn people off, and seem “scammy”. However, some of these tests, especially when applied appropriately, can give great insight to the individual. For instance, I have had clients take an IgG antibody test (food sensitivity test), follow through with the protocol and proceed to drop weight, and improve symptoms they are having. With my clients I have an extensive assessment form, and meticulously evaluate throughout their program. By doing this, I am able to help individuals no matter their physiological state. Lastly, many people see that the functional nutrition approach from a coach like myself contradicts the western medicine approach. There are situations where the suggestions to remedy a symptom will have contradicting applications. However, the way I operate and other quality coaches operate, the two approaches should work together for the health of the individual. Much like a nutrition coach, the functional nutrition coach should educate the client on why the suggestions are what they are. By this point you may have a good understanding as to why I may prefer the functional nutrition approach. So, I will lay it out quickly and simply. Bioindiviuality: As mentioned above some critics believe this viewpoint to be a hindrance. However, that is mostly associated with the wide application to many people. When it comes down to it, the individual application is the best and most effective. Would you rather receive guidance that is meant for as many people as possible? Or, specifically for you? Few Roots, Many Branches: With so many signs & symptoms out there, Hashimotos, diabetes, Crohns, IBS, celiac, intolerances, endometriosis, depression, brain fog, arthritis, MS, and on, and on. The understanding of how the parts interact with the whole, and that most all signs & symptoms have a root. Each client can have a more conscious direction to address their concerns. Performing at a higher level: Anyone who has competed in a sport, trained for amateur sport, or just tried to become more active has run into obstacles of enough energy, cognitive function, or achieving desired results. Understanding how the body functions, what it needs to perform at an optimal level, and how components affect each other. The functional approach can unlock certain potentials and expedite results, better than other approaches. Thank you for reading all the way through! Coach Collen What is Functional Nutrition?
Few Roots, Many Branches: This is typically reserved for those who are dealing with some kind of sign/symptom or have a diagnosis of some disease state. A vast majority of the U.S. population is dealing with some sort of disease state. Before these
Back to the main point: Diseases, like celiac disease, are often a symptom themselves. In western medicine the spotlight is put on the thing that is causing the most discomfort. All efforts are then placed on subsiding the spotlighted discomfort. In the functional nutrition view, there is something perpetuating this symptom… the root! When the root is addressed/supported, the symptom is then supported. Controversies about functional nutrition
The main concern with the functional nutrition perspective is that the current research does not support most of the claims. This would quickly make most people turn away from the functional perspective, and turn towards what most popular influencers are suggesting. However, there is research supporting a functional nutrition perspective. The research available is frequently in animals, small cohorts, or contradicting. It has been referred to as traditional or eastern medicine, and this kind of approach to nutrition/lifestyle has been around for centuries. I am not saying that everything that comes from the functional nutrition crowd is bullet proof. However, there is a lot of power in food, supplementation, lifestyle, testing, etc. Beyond the straight calories in, calories out mantra. Why do I prefer the functional nutrition approach
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