Functional Nutritionist Course

Lesson 1 • Evidence Literacy for Nutritionists

Builds skills to critically evaluate nutrition research. Students apply evidence hierarchies to support clinical recommendations.

Lesson 2 • Systems Biology and the Body

Introduces systems biology as the scientific backbone of functional nutrition. Students map interconnections among body systems relevant to dietary intervention.

Lesson 3 • The Functional Nutrition Matrix

Presents the organising matrix used to categorise clinical imbalances. Students practice mapping client complaints to matrix nodes.

Lesson 1 • Macronutrient Metabolism Pathways

Covers digestion, absorption, and cellular metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Connects metabolic pathways to energy regulation and clinical imbalances.

Lesson 2 • Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Systems

Explains reactive oxygen species generation and endogenous antioxidant defences. Students connect oxidative burden to chronic disease risk and dietary strategy.

Lesson 3 • Micronutrient Functions and Cofactors

Details the enzymatic roles of vitamins and minerals in metabolic reactions. Students identify deficiency patterns linked to specific biochemical disruptions.

Lesson 4 • Inflammation Biochemistry

Examines pro- and anti-inflammatory signalling cascades and their dietary modulators. Students identify nutritional levers that shift inflammatory tone.

Lesson 1 • Dietary Assessment Methods

Compares food recall, food frequency, and food diary tools for accuracy and clinical utility. Students select and administer the appropriate tool for each client type.

Lesson 2 • Functional Lab Testing Overview

Introduces specialty and standard lab panels used in functional nutrition practice. Students interpret results within a functional reference range framework.

Lesson 3 • Symptom Questionnaires and Scoring

Covers validated symptom questionnaires used to quantify functional imbalances. Students score and interpret questionnaires to prioritise clinical focus areas.

Lesson 4 • Synthesising Assessment Data

Integrates history, dietary, lab, and questionnaire data into a unified clinical picture. Students produce a prioritised problem list using the functional matrix.

Lesson 1 • Dietary Fibre and Prebiotic Strategies

Covers fibre types, fermentation dynamics, and prebiotic food sources. Students build fibre-forward meal plans tailored to microbiome restoration goals.

Lesson 2 • Microbiome Composition and Function

Examines microbial phyla, diversity metrics, and key metabolic outputs of the gut microbiome. Students link microbial imbalances to systemic health outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Intestinal Permeability and Barrier Function

Explains tight junction physiology and factors that compromise intestinal barrier integrity. Students identify dietary and lifestyle drivers of increased permeability.

Lesson 4 • Probiotic and Fermented Food Protocols

Reviews probiotic strain specificity, clinical evidence, and fermented food integration. Students match probiotic strategies to specific gut imbalance presentations.

Lesson 1 • Insulin Regulation and Blood Sugar Balance

Covers insulin signalling, glycaemic response, and dietary factors driving insulin resistance. Students design low-glycaemic meal frameworks for metabolic clients.

Lesson 2 • Circadian Nutrition and Hormonal Rhythms

Connects meal timing, light exposure, and circadian biology to hormonal regulation. Students apply chrono-nutrition principles to optimise hormonal outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Thyroid Function and Nutritional Support

Reviews thyroid hormone synthesis, conversion, and key nutrient cofactors. Students identify dietary patterns that impair or support thyroid function.

Lesson 4 • Sex Hormone Balance and Estrogen Metabolism

Covers estrogen synthesis, metabolism pathways, and dietary estrogen modulators. Students design protocols for estrogen dominance and androgen imbalance.

Lesson 1 • Therapeutic Dietary Frameworks

Compares anti-inflammatory, low-FODMAP, ketogenic, and Mediterranean dietary models. Students match frameworks to specific clinical presentations.

Lesson 2 • Protocol Documentation and Handouts

Covers professional documentation of nutrition protocols and client-facing materials. Students create clear, actionable handouts and protocol summaries.

Lesson 3 • Elimination and Reintroduction Protocols

Covers the design and execution of elimination diets to identify food sensitivities. Students guide clients through structured reintroduction and symptom tracking.

Lesson 4 • Targeted Supplementation Strategies

Guides evidence-based supplement selection to address identified nutrient gaps. Students build supplement protocols with dosing, timing, and interaction considerations.

Lesson 1 • Women's Health and Hormonal Conditions

Addresses PCOS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and fertility through functional nutrition. Students create gender-specific protocols addressing hormonal root causes.

Lesson 2 • Autoimmune Conditions and Diet

Examines immune dysregulation, molecular mimicry, and dietary triggers in autoimmunity. Students apply autoimmune protocol diets with appropriate monitoring.

Lesson 3 • Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

Addresses insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and adipose tissue dysfunction through diet. Students design multi-target protocols for metabolic syndrome reversal.

Lesson 4 • Mental Health and Brain Nutrition

Explores the gut-brain axis, neurotransmitter precursors, and dietary patterns in mental health. Students design nutritional strategies for mood, cognition, and anxiety.

Lesson 1 • Outcome Measurement and Tracking

Introduces objective and subjective outcome measures for functional nutrition clients. Students design tracking systems that demonstrate clinical progress.

Lesson 2 • Continuing Education and Professional Development

Outlines pathways for advanced certification, peer learning, and staying current. Students create a personalized professional development plan.

Lesson 3 • Building a Functional Nutrition Practice

Covers practice models, service packaging, and client acquisition strategies. Students draft a business model canvas for their functional nutrition practice.

Lesson 4 • Protocol Adjustment and Iteration

Covers decision frameworks for modifying protocols when expected outcomes are not met. Students practice clinical reasoning for protocol pivots using case data.