About Us

Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM) is a specialty practice group of nutrition practitioners whose core philosophy centers around a holistic, personalized approach to health and healing. Our members integrate a variety of nutrition therapies including whole foods, tailored supplements, and mind-body modalities in clinical practice. DIFM RDs seek out and address the underlying causes of symptoms through evidence-based approaches including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in addition to nutrition, sleep, stress, and relationship to food.

Integrative Medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.

Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic disease. Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include:

• Patient-centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care promoting health as a positive vitality; beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the patient and learning his or her story, the practitioner brings the patient into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.
• An integrative, science-based healthcare approach. Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.
• Integrating best medical practices. Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what is sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.

Practice-based evidence promotes the value of the knowledge and evidence gained from the practitioner’s clinical experiences and observations.

Optimize health and healing with integrative and functional nutrition

Empower members to be leaders in integrative and functional nutrition

• Be recognized leaders in integrative and functional nutrition
• Increase DIFM membership, and retain members by providing significant value
• Cultivate relationships with collaborators
• Educate in integrative and functional nutrition

• Conduct a program of work in a professional manner within the strategic framework of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Establish networks with organizations whose goals are compatible with those of DIFM in order to further our mission
• Develop and implement technology and communication plans to help achieve the goals of DIFM
• Invest proceeds of projects in furthering the development of DIFM, its members, and the profession

All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy's Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use "registered dietitian nutritionist" (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education, and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.

For more information, contact difmdpg@gmail.com

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