What Is It?
Dietary intervention is an important part of the Functional Medicine approach and should be overseen by an experienced practitioner. The practitioner can help you determine which diet is appropriate for the individual depending on gut health, nutrient profile, allergies, food sensitivities, metabolic issues, toxicity and genetic factors.
It is important that dietary intervention be done as part of a total Functional Medicine approach that includes gut healing, supplements and/or detoxification.
Diets most commonly recommended by a Functional Medicine practitioner include; Evolutionary Diet, Casein-Free/Gluten-Free Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Gut And Psychology Syndrome Diet, Body Ecology Diet and Elimination Diet.
Who Is It For?
Dietary Intervention can optimise cellular health and therefore works to both treat and prevent treat a range of conditions including but not exclusive to;
ADHD, Allergies, Anxiety, Asthma, Autism, Behaviour, Cancer, Celiac, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Diabetes, Digestive Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Eating Disorder, Eczema, Food Intolerances, Heart Disease, Infections, Learning Delay, Obesity, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pyroluria, Schizophrenia, Sensory Integration, Speech-Language Delay.
Children especially may benefit from Functional Medicine because it helps to ensure that the body and brain have essential nutrients during critical developmental periods.
What Are The Benefits?
An individualised diet can help improve cellular health by providing more nutrients and eliminating food toxins. From a Functional Medicine viewpoint, cellular health is the core of disease treatment and prevention as it supports all body systems.
Diet can also improve brain function and strengthen the immune system by eliminating foods that a person cannot digest or metabolise.
Dietary Intervention can also help curb or eliminate unfriendly gastro intestinal microbes (virus, bacteria, fungi, parasites, worms) that inhibit digestion of nutrients, strain the immune system and adversely impact on the nervous system and brain.
By addressing the above issues, diet can help improve concentration, behaviour, speech and overall mental and physical health.
What are the costs?
Costs of Dietary Intervention vary and are best assessed by a skilled Functional Medicine practitioner. They might include consulting fees, lab tests, supplements, some books (with recipes), special foods and consulting from an allied professional (e.g. nutritionist).
Where can I find a practitioner?
Finding a well-trained Functional Medicine practitioner requires research. You can reference the lists below for one in your area and should consider checking references and interviewing several before you select one.
Worldwide
Defeat Autism Now! trains Functional Medicine practitioners (and carers) around the world who specialise in childhood neurobiological disorders (Autism, ADHD, allergies), but who would understand Functional Medicine as it relates to all disease. If they cannot treat you, they might be able to refer you to someone who can. A list of trained practitioners can be found at the Autism Research Institute.
The World Anti-Aging Academy of Medicine can help you find Functional Medicine practitioners throughout the world.
U.S.
The American Academy of Anti-Aging has a directory of doctors, spas, clinics and products that support Functional Medicine treatments for all disease.
The American College for the Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) trains practitioners in complementary, alternative and integrative medicine. which incorporates Functional Medicine.
Australia & New Zealand
The Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) trains practitioners in Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (incorporating Functional Medicine) in Australia and New Zealand.
The Australasian Integrative Medical Association (AIMA) has a membership of Functional Medicine Practitioners in Australia & New Zealand.
Mindd Foundation trains practitioners in Integrative Healthcare and Functional Medicine in Australia and New Zealand.
Where can I find a certified practitioner?
Finding a well-trained Integrative and/or Functional practitioner requires research but is a vital step in treating complex and chronic illness.Below are links to lists of practitioners worldwide. We recommend you research the scope, expertise and experience of any practitioners you are considering.
U.S. & Global
Institute of Functional Medicinehttps://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Integrative Medicine for Mental Health
http://www.immh.org/find-a-practitioner/
Medical Academy of Paediatric Special Needs (MAPS)
http://www.medmaps.org/clinician-directory/
Australia & New Zealand
Mindd Foundationhttps://directory.mindd.org/
The Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM)
https://www.acnem.org/practitioners/
UK
The British Society for Ecological Medicinehttps://www.bsem.org.uk/pages/14-practitioners
Disclaimer: Mindd Foundation does not endorse any specific individuals listed and makes no representations, warranties, nor guarantees and assumes no responsibility for any services provided. Mindd Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind as a result of using any products or services provided by those listed.