What is Functional Diagnostic Nutrition?

Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® is a science-based holistic approach to investigating and identifying the root cause of your health problems. Imbalances in your body can lead to symptoms such as digestive complaints, fatigue and weight issues. As a therapeutic partnership between client and practitioner, it is an evolution in the practice of nutrition that better addresses the health needs of our modern society.

A functional nutrition approach addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. It uses individualized lab testing, completed in the comfort of your own home, to identify healing opportunities within the hormone, immune, digestion, detoxification and intestinal barrier systems. In order to restore balance to the systems of the body, Functional Nutrition uses a combination of interventions including therapeutic diets, sleep hygeine, exercise recommendations, stress reduction strategies and supplementation protocols.

While our clinic applies functional nutrition specifically to digestive health, if you’re keen to understand the broader paradigm of Functional Nutrition and how it works, we’ve created the diagrams below just for you. They illustrate the connection between stressors, imbalances in the systems of the body, and the development of symptoms.

THIS IS HOW THE BODY IS MEANT TO WORK

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BODY IS UNDER STRESS

HOW FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION RESTORES THE BODY TO VIBRANT HEALTH

Functional Lab Testing

An overview of the most common tests we order and interpret for clients is listed below and discussed in more detail in this blog post on How to Test for IBS Root Causes. All tests are ordered through local labs or distributors in your country. Wholesale lab fees are paid directly to the lab. Our consulting fees are separate.

GI MAP STOOL TEST

The Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) includes the first comprehensive pathogens assay that is FDA approved and is widely considered the most sensitive and accurate stool test available. It is now available in Australia as the ‘Complete Microbiome Mapping Profile’ via Nutripath.

The panel includes pathogenic bacteria, parasites, viruses, opportunistic organisms, normal flora, and fungi. DNA/PCR techniques also allow for the measurement of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity. Both are used to help determine clinical significance and the most effective healing opportunities.

SIBO BREATH TEST

This breath test utilizes lactulose and sometimes glucose as the test substrate and collects 10 breath samples over 2.5-3 hours. It is used to detect elevations above normal for hydrogen and/or methane gas, indicating the presence of SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). SIBO is highly correlated with bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea, as well as brain symptoms such as low mood and anxiety.

IGG: FOOD SENSITIVITY TEST

This test is a simple dry blood spot (finger prick) and is used to screen for specific foods that cause an immune reaction in the body. These foods can be hard to identify without testing because of the time between consumption and the physical reaction of symptoms. Generally, an IgG reaction occurs hours to days after exposure to food antigens. Symptoms commonly associated with food sensitivities are IBS symptoms, headaches, brain fog, fatigue and skin conditions such as eczema.

Digestive conditions and functional nutrition

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

A functional perspective on IBS and what lies beyond the label. A six part series covering testing, diet, treatment approaches and more.

SMALL INTESTINE BACTERIAL OVErGROWTH (SIBO)

Everything you need to know about SIBO is covered in our three part series and bonus guide to methane SIBO. Start here for SIBO symptoms, testing and treatment options.

CONSTIPATION

Unpicking the confusion about whether constipation is a condition, symptom, root cause or all three, we’ve written these five articles to deepen your understanding.

OTHER

While these conditions and imbalances are not our primary focus, all of them are common secondary and associated imbalances experienced by IBS clients.