A new BREED of DIETITIAn

Dietitians in integrative and functional medicine are a relatively new breed of nutrition practitioner whose core philosophy centres around a holistic, personalised approach to health and healing. These practitioners are also known as:

Holistic Dietitians, Integrative Dietitians, Functional Dietitians, Real Food Dietitians, or Ancestral Dietitians. Some of us use the word 'nutritionist' in place of dietitian. 

With approximately half of Australians now utilising some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on a regular basis, this new breed of dietitian aims to provide patients with an integrated approach to nutrition and health. We hope to expand the horizon and scope of practice of dietitians to include alternative therapies that benefit the public seeking CAM modalities.

We integrate a variety of evidence-based nutrition therapies including whole foods, tailored supplements, and mind body modalities in clinical practice.

Both clients and practitioners of integrative medicine want nutrition care and prefer credentialed providers, but many think that dietetics professionals are not informed about, or interested in, this area of practice. . . actually, the combination of the RD credential and an understanding of integrative medicine is a winning combination. Carol Coughlin, MS, Registered Dietitian.

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WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE?

Integrative Medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.
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WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?

Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic disease. Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include:

• Patient-centred care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centred care promoting health as a positive vitality; beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the patient and learning his or her story, the practitioner brings the patient into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.
• An integrative, science-based healthcare approach. Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.
• Integrating best medical practices. Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what is sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.

WHAT IS
​PRACTICE-BASED EVIDENCE?

Practice-based evidence promotes the value of the knowledge and evidence gained from the practitioner’s clinical experiences and observations.

The Integrative and Functional Medicine Nutrition Therapy (IFMNT) Radial was established as an integrated conceptual framework to assist in IFMNT practice. The circular architecture of the IFMNT Radial allows for the evaluation of complex interactions and interrelationships. The Radial depicts that food is a determining factor in health and disease and is a source of biological information that influences, and is influenced by, the five key areas.
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The five key areas are: lifestyle, systems (signs and symptoms), core imbalances, metabolic pathways, and biomarkers. Surrounding the Radial are precipitating factors that can affect the individual. The IFMNT Radial is in the June 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.