Functional Nutrition: A Whole Food Approach
The course approaches nutrition concepts through the lens of whole food.
Module One: Human Nutrition: Challenges and Opportunities
Human Nutrition: Challenges and Opportunities introduces clinicians to the roots of clinical nutrition and the modern-day challenges of a society hooked on ultra-processed food. We review the importance of a nutrient- dense whole-food diet and the potential health consequences of a diet heavy in ultra-processed foods. The basics of a functional nutrition approach are introduced.
At the end of this module, participants will be able to:
- Explore the connection between nutrition and human health.
- Gain an understanding of how human nutrition habits have changed over the past several hundred years.
- Understand how ultra-processed foods influence the development of chronic disease states such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.
- Understand the nutritional importance of whole, minimally processed foods as the cornerstone of a health-promoting diet.
Develop an appreciation for the potential role of functional nutrition and personalized dietary interventions.
Module Two: Pathological Brain Physiology and Nutrition
This module delves into potential causes of cognitive decline and their effects on brain health pathophysiology. It evaluates important scientific literature on brain health and introduces practitioner tools for cognitive function testing. Participants will also learn to recognize patterns of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and explore different nutrition and herbal interventions to improve cognitive function.
At the end of this module, participants will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the three main macronutrients in human nutrition and their importance in human physiology.
- Investigate the health consequences of sufficient and insufficient amounts of each macronutrient.
- Understand the key steps in the digestion of each of the three macronutrients.
- Explore in-depth examples of foods rich in each of the three macronutrients.
Module Three: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
The final module focuses on Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and its relation to biotoxins and the brain. Learners will understand the clinical presentation of CIRS, identifying key symptoms and manifestations. The module covers the mechanism of CIRS, the systems involved, and the challenges in recognizing and diagnosing it. Participants will learn how to screen patients for CIRS and discuss treatment approaches. Guidance on recognizing potential CIRS patients and performing proper screenings is also included.
At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
- Understand the significance of micronutrients and their role in human physiology and support of overall health and wellbeing.
- Explore clinical consequences of specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
- Identify whole food sources of minerals and vitamins and discuss their bioavailability.
Module Four: Phytonutrients
Phytonutrients introduces clinicians to the world of plant chemistry with an emphasis on how secondary plant metabolites can support human health. Specific categories of secondary plant metabolites—commonly referred to as phytonutrients— are discussed. The concept of phytonutrients within a whole food matrix is introduced; clinicians will learn about the potential downside of recommending isolated phytonutrients.
At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
- Gain a broad understanding of phytochemicals, their purpose in nature, and how they can impact human physiology
- Learn about specific secondary plant metabolites, their chemical classification, and potential health benefits.
- Explore the concept of a whole food matrix and learn about the potential downside of removing phytochemicals from whole foods for use as isolated compounds.
Module Five: Supplementation and Nutrient Synergy
Supplementation and Nutrient Synergy introduces the concept of dietary supplementation and the ability of supplements to support specific patient needs. The recent history of nutrient deficiency diseases, food processing, food fortification, and the discovery and synthesis of vitamins is discussed.
Emphasis is placed on the benefits of nutrient synergy found only in whole food and whole food extracts. 20th-century whole food nutrition pioneers are introduced. We also present a framework to support the clinician’s ability to critically evaluate supplement company philosophy, quality, safety, and research. Upon completion of the course, clinicians will understand foundational concepts in human nutrition including the role of key macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytonutrients and how these nutrients synergize within the context of whole food. Clinicians will be equipped with the foundational tools they need to develop effective functional nutrition plans that include whole plant and animal foods and key dietary supplements where indicated.
At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
- Understand the role of nutrient supplementation in modern diets.
- Explore the history of nutrition science in the United States, including the discovery of vitamins, supplementation, and food fortification.
- Gain an understanding of a whole-food approach to supplementation and how it differs from the use of isolated extracts.
Complete at your own pace
These courses are offered as self-paced, self-directed learning. Our learning platform keeps track of your progress should you need to complete a course over multiple sessions. After registering, you will receive a notification and link to the platform for access to an array of course offerings.
Your learning activity is monitored and reported, with the system keeping track of the total time you have a course open on your computer or mobile device. It can take up to a week for your courses to post to your CE transcript.
To receive credits you must:
- Engage with the course module open for a number of hours equivalent to the course credit hours (e.g. 3 hours for a 3 CE credit course)
- Achieve a 90% or greater on the Final Assessment
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License Renewal
While applications relating to credit hours for license renewal in selected states have been executed for these programs, it remains attendees’ responsibility to contact the state board(s) or organizations from whom they seek continuing education credits for purposes of ensuring said board(s) or organization approves both venue and content as they relate to any seminar/course/lecture/webinar/online presentation (event). Neither a speaker’s or exhibitor’s presence at said event, nor product mention or display, shall in any way constitute NCHS endorsement. NCHS’s role is strictly limited to processing, submitting, and archiving program documents on behalf of course sponsors.
CE Information
There are various course approvals for ND, DC, LAc, CNS, ACBN, BCHN, NTP, and California RN but please refer to this chart for information on specific approvals.
Disclaimer
The following states do not allow online CEUs: Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wisconsin. At this time, online CEUs are not able to be processed for Florida.