Registered Dietitian Nutritionists & Nutrigenomics
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who play a crucial role in promoting health and wellness. At our practice, our RDNs have specialized training in nutritional genomics or nutrigenomics, enabling us to offer personalized nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle interventions based on individual genetic profiles.
We use a functional and integrative nutrition approach that focuses on getting to the root cause of health issues. By understanding the interconnected factors affecting your health—such as genetic variations, lifestyle habits, environmental influences, and emotional well-being—we address underlying causes rather than just symptoms to improve overall well-being.
Incorporating a gene-first approach offers deeper insights and more specialized interventions for optimal health outcomes. While we excel in nutrigenomics and functional nutrition, we also provide traditional RDN services, including general dietary advice, medical nutrition therapy, and wellness counseling.
The Path to Becoming an RDN
Typically, RDNs have completed a graduate-level, competency-based dietitian nutritionist program that includes extensive coursework and at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice. This supervised practice is essential for gaining real-world experience and applying classroom knowledge in various work settings. They must also pass the national exam issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, satisfy state and local licensing requirements, and engage in continuous professional development throughout their careers.
The Role of Nutrigenomics in Our Practice
At our practice, we incorporate nutritional genomics or nutrigenomics into our approach. This gene-first method allows our specially trained dietitians to create highly personalized nutrition interventions. By considering individual genetic variations that affect nutrient metabolism, dietary needs, and disease risk, we provide precise and effective nutrition strategies tailored to each client. This approach can enhance typical RDN services by offering more targeted and specialized nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle interventions.
The Expertise of RDNs
“All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.” RDNs help people live healthy and active lives through the transformative power of food and nutrition, leveraging their expertise to develop the best nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle interventions to fuel the body healthily.
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
RDNs are recognized medical professionals dedicated to treating health conditions and diseases through nutrition interventions and medical nutrition therapy. Their practice also encompasses a broader scope of wellness, focusing on both the treatment and prevention of health conditions. They work in various settings, including healthcare, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice.
Evidence-Based Practice
Much misinformation exists about health, wellness, diet, disease, and exercise. In our practice, RDNs are equipped to cut through this misinformation, sharing the latest evidence-based information and research with clients. By applying their knowledge of nutritional genomics, our RDNs offer informed and personalized guidance to support clients on their health and wellness journeys..
Legal and Professional Standards
In the state of Tennessee, according to T.C.A. §§ 63-25-101, et seq., a Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist is any person who has met the qualifications for licensure and holds a current, unsuspended, or unrevoked license lawfully issued by the board. Any person with a valid unsuspended and unrevoked license has the right to use the title dietitian/nutritionist, dietitian, or nutritionist. It is unlawful for any person not licensed in the manner prescribed in T.C.A. §§ 63-25-101, et seq., to represent themselves as a dietitian or nutritionist.
Commitment to Client Success
RDNs are committed to helping clients succeed on their health and wellness journeys, enabling them to achieve a more meaningful existence and reach their goals. By integrating nutritional genomics into their practice, our RDNs provide an advanced level of personalized care that addresses both immediate health concerns and long-term wellness.