Frequently Asked Questions
What is Functional Nutrition?
Who are your programs for?
My Calm Digestion Method program is for people experiencing IBS and SIBO symptoms, including bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, as well as food sensitivities. People with other conditions who are also struggling with these symptoms may benefit as well.
Who are your programs NOT for?
The Calm Digestion Method does not support people with heartburn or reflux, complex chronic disease, lyme disease, mold illness, or people with very severe symptoms.
The program is also not for those who are seeking a magic pill, or those unwilling to work on their digestion at home and in their daily life.
I've already tried a gluten-free, sugar-free, paleo, or (fill-in-the-blank diet), and it didn't help my symptoms. How is your approach different?
Many of these specialty diets are useful and helpful, and my own recommendations use many of the same templates as a starting place.
What’s different is my approach. As a Functional practitioner, I am engaged in helping you understand HOW your body works. I begin by asking lots questions, rather than jumping to conclusions about what you need. Until we do some thoughtful experiments, we won’t know what you really need. Functional essentially means highly individualized.
I help you work with tracking tools and observation to learn what your body is telling you about what YOU need to heal.
Will I have to give up _________________ (coffee, tea, gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, other)?
I know this sounds like a really difficult thing, to give up foods that we rely on and love to eat. My general answer is, it depends. If your body is giving clear signals that it’s not tolerating something, I’ll propose a temporary elimination to see if our hunch is right. If your symptoms improve, then you can make a decision about whether to continue that food avoidance in service of feeling better or not.
How much does it cost? Do you take/bill insurance?
I have several pricing packages for incoming students. The price of the program is similar to the cost of seeing a naturopath for several visits, but comes with lifetime access to my support inside the program.
I do not take or bill insurance, and insurance billing is not available for SIBO or GI MAP stool testing through my practice.
Your personalized protocol may also have additional supplement costs, but it will be up to you how to prioritize this.
Why are the labs so expensive?
The labs offering these tests are independent, specialty labs. They do not contract with insurance carriers in most cases. Some of the labs use newer technologies, such as PCR-DNA analysis for stool samples. This testing is much more accurate than more traditional lab methods, but uses fancy technology to get the results, hence the greater expense.
Why does your coaching go on so long?
I am committed to keeping you moving in the right direction, but can only help you move as quickly as you and your body is willing to heal.
The nature of this type of work is slow and steady, and habits take time to change. It likely took a long time for you to get to the place you are now, and it can take quite some time to restore lost function in the body. If there was a quick fix for your issue, you likely would have found it already.
Will I have to take supplements?
You do not have to do anything you don’t want to, but to get the results I know are possible, supplementation with high quality, medical-grade supplements is often an important part of my client’s healing journey. Supplements can supply missing nutrients that have been depleted by hidden stressors, provide targeted relief from certain issues, and encourage function until the body repairs itself with the other supports we are providing.
As a courtesy to my clients, I provide access to an online dispensary at FullScript.com, which will deliver supplements to your door, and offers a 20% off retail discount. Shipping is free on orders over $50.