Functional Diagnostic Nutrition ® (FDN) is a type of detective work that seeks to identify the underlying causes of disease instead of treating symptoms. Using functional lab work and detailed assessments, we identify healing opportunities and engage each client in a health building process using the potent, proven, professional protocols in our D.R.E.S.S. for Health Success program.
What is Function Diagnostic Nutrition?
The FDN model focuses on investigating and handling causal factors. FDN looks at malfunctions in the hormone steroid balance (hormone, immune, digestion, and detoxification) at the subclinical level. FDN finds malfunctions overlooked by the medical model. It is not used to diagnose, but rather used to educate and uncover how well the body is functioning.
My role as a FDN practitioner is to educate a client on how they can heal themselves through diet, rest, exercise, stress management, and supplements. I want them to understand that they can heal the underlying causes of their symptoms rather than just treating them.
FDN is an opt-in health model. When people use an opt-in health model they are deciding to learn how to take care of themselves, to uncover why they have symptoms, to build their immune symptoms, to increase their energy or to feel better. They are choosing to eat right, exercise and get a proper amount of sleep and rest in order to build health before they get sick or diseased.
How Does FDN Work?
You have malfunctions at the root of your health complaints which we can identify using functional lab work. Most clients have no idea what is causing their health complaints and neither do their doctors. Many people have been chasing their symptoms for years because other providers can’t find the cause or don’t bother to even look for it. FDN health detectives use functional diagnostic lab work and detailed assessments to identify malfunctions at the causal level and engage our clients in a healing process.
What Type of Lab Work is Involved?
Functional lab work is at the heart of the FDN approach to health. By utilizing non-invasive laboratory tests, FDN practitioners obtain accurate data that allows them to identify the specific areas in your body that need to be addressed. Lab testing may include saliva, urine, hair, blood, or stool samples. Most lab samples are very easy to obtain and are completed in the convenience of your own home.
Labs focus on the areas of the hormones, immune system, digestion, detoxification and food sensitivities, making the program comprehensive. Subsequent retesting and symptom surveys allow the FDN practitioner to chart improvement as the client progresses through the program. Many times these imbalances are hidden and can only be discovered through lab testing. The lab results will provide us with a current and thorough assessment of how various systems in your body are functioning.
A list of potential lab tests include:
- Adrenal Stress and Hormone Profile
- Digestion and Detoxification Assessment
- Intestinal Pathogen Screen
- Gluten Sensitivity
- Food Sensitivity
- Intestinal Permeability Screen
- Mucosal immunity Screen
