Functional Medicine is a model of healthcare developed in the US in the 1990s which melds the best of naturopathic principles with the latest evidence based scientific research. The IHS Principles of Functional Nutrition Certificate applies the principles of Functional Medicine to the field of nutrition to demonstrate how powerful an effect the food we eat can have on the body and on chronic health. This certificate is aimed at those with no previous experience in Functional Medicine who wish to understand how functional medicine imbalances develop due to interactions between our genetics, diet and lifestyle choices and how specific foods, nutrients and nutriceutical supplements can profoundly impact these imbalances. This course demonstrates how food and lifestyle choices positively and negatively impact the body and how this can be addressed, based on recent scientific research.
The aim of this 5 month course, written to UK level 5 (Irish level 6/7), is to introduce the key concepts of Functional Medicine - specifically antecedents, triggers and mediators (ATMs), the main clinical imbalances identified in this model and how to address these imbalances through diet, lifestyle and nutriceutical supplements. Students are trained to conduct comprehensive, systematic and concise interpretations using key Functional Medicine clinical tools (the IFM - Institute for Functional Medicine - matrix and timeline) and the Signs and Symptoms questionnaire by Dicken Wetherby. The course covers the theory of Functional Nutrition but is not designed as a practitioner training course, as it does not include any clinical practice.
Functional medicine is fast becoming the model of healthcare believed to best address 21st century chronic health concerns. This certificate introduces this model and ensures graduates have a thorough understanding of its key underpinning philosophies and principles as well as how it relates to modern diet and lifestyle choices.
- Course material constantly updated. The IHS academic team regularly attend Functional Medicine conferences in both Europe and the US, ensuring our lecturers teach the very latest research and theories
- Comprehensive and well structured study material supplied. Including presentation slides, written notes, case studies, video clips, quizzes and short answer questions and chances to reflect on your knowledge all designed to make the learning experience as interactive as possible
- Dynamic and interactive lecture weekends. Designed to suit all learning types and engage students in the learning process. Lecture weekends include a mixture of formal lectures, group discussion, group exercises and case studies
- Expert lecturers. Lecturers for the IHS Certificate in the Principles of Functional Nutrition include leading Nutritional Therapists who regularly attend Functional Medicine conferences both in Europe and the US, giving our students access to a wealth of knowledge and experience from their first day of study and students will be taught by at least four different lecturers per year to benefit from this.
- The IHS commitment to pastoral care and student support. IHS have a dedicated student support officer employed to help struggling students or those with specific learning difficulties. However we also have procedures in place to ensure all students have access to both staff and peer support whilst studying with IHS
- Learn to use key Functional Medicine paperwork. All students will use the latest Functional Medicine paperwork specially designed by Functional Medicine experts to allow practitioners to easily and comprehensively interpret complex case studies
- Learn how to use key IHS clinical paperwork. IHS has developed its own clinical paperwork over the past ten years to make interpreting a client’s case study as easy and methodical as possible. This is used alongside FM paperwork.
- Enhance your current healthcare practice. Whilst this is not a practitioner training course, the theories taught can still enhance your practice as you will develop a better understanding of the possible underlying imbalances leading to your patients/clients ill health.
- A cost effective way of ensuring your healthcare knowledge is cutting edge. Most training based on Functional Medicine principles is expensive and can involve significant travel. IHS have developed this affordable option to ensure more healthcare professionals get the benefit of this essential information.
- A bridge onto further study of Functional Nutrition. This course can be used as a prerequisite to the IHS Certificate in Functional Nutrition for Healthcare Practitioners.
View full course content and lecture dates here
This course includes the following:
- Introduction to the Functional Medicine Model
- Digestive and absorptive, microbiological Imbalances: Imbalances of the different phases of digestion and different sections of the digestive tract, Bowel flora: Classifications and function of the bacteria in the human gut, the balance between commensal and other non beneficial bowel bacteria, effects on health of non beneficial bacteria overgrowth, dietary and lifestyle effects on bowel flora composition, supporting and modulating the digestive system with diet and nutrients
- Immunological and inflammatory imbalances: Th1-Th2 imbalances and associated conditions: Inflammation, intolerances/allergies, autoimmune conditions, effects of immune system imbalances on other systems of the body, supporting and modulating the immune system with diet and nutrients
- Detoxification and biotransformation, oxidation reduction imbalances: Movement of toxins into and out of the body, phase 1 and 2 detoxification pathways, problems with imbalances in the detoxification pathways, effects of toxicity on different systems of the body, affects of toxicity on cellular function, free radicals: external sources and internal production, antioxidant defence mechanisms, supporting and modulating the detoxification and antioxidant systems with diet and nutrients
- Hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances: The physiological effects of chronic stress, the HPA axis and general adaptation syndrome, thyroid hormone imbalances and their impact on health, reproductive hormone imbalances, blood sugar imbalances and their impact on health, Serotonin, Dopamine, Acetylcholine, Glutamate, supporting and modulating the endocrine and nervous system with diet and nutrients
- Questioning and Interpretation Skills: Practice using the IFM Paperwork
This certificate course is run over 5 lecture weekends between September and March with comprehensive home study material
All students are enrolled onto the IHS learning management system. Here you will find all course material, forums, quizzes, assessments etc in one place to help you organise your study and study material as efficiently as possible. You will also upload all assessments here and can also use it to communicate directly with module leaders, other members of staff and fellow students.
This programme is open to healthcare practitioners only. Please contact the office for further details on 01 531 1150
Please contact us for course fee information
