functional medicine doctor in london
Functional medicine doctor v practitioner
Working out who the best type of functional medicine practitioner to help you is can be stressful. Here, we help you understand the difference between a Functional Medicine Doctor and a Functional Medicine Nutritionist.
We set the differences to help you decide who would be best placed to resolve your health issues.
Get started today by scheduling an informative call with us.
The Limitations of Doctor-led Functional Medicine Training
Having worked extensively with and for GP’s practicing Functional Medicine, we’re well placed to understand the differences in training and approach.
GP’s are medically trained. Traditional medicine principles are based on identifying a ‘disease’ (technically within a specific lab perimete - then in the case of chronic conditions - suppress the symptoms with pharma.
This linear thinking can be a little hard to scrub out. Doctor’s approaches therefore often a little ‘linear’ Example: ‘Low B12 in blood = remedy: supplement B12’. Supplementation may continue on.
Nutritionist approach: WHY is B12 low. Is the diet imbalances? Is the stomach acid too weak? Or do you not methylate effectively, causing hormone imbalances?
Another example; eczema may be rooted in digestive imbalance BUT - what is causing the digestive imbalance?
This is an extra layer of root-cause thinking that Nutritionists are uniquely trained to understand.
In our training as Nutritionist, functional medicine principles - which is based in Systems Biology thinking, formed a theme through our 3-7 year BSc or MSc training.
Failure to address the TRUE root-imbalance - will cause a relapse in symptoms or the need for continual supplementation in order to feel good.
Note, always seek medical advise for any concerns around diagnosis’s or illnesses!
how nutritionists
work differently.
and why this matters in chronic diseases and conditions
We map out your symptom time line to understand everything about your lifestyle
We carry out a body-system ‘scan’ to highlight your key areas of weakness/imbalances
We apply the right nutrition science to suit your physiology and goals
We base your supplementation on the root causes, not just plugging every gap with supplements
Our coaching skills and training support you with implementation
We’re trained in nutrition and Lifestyle healthcare
Doctors diagnose disease. We diagnose imbalances & patterns.
Doctors treat conditions. We correct body systems.
And for many people with chronic gut, fatigue and inflammation issues, that is the difference between staying stuck and finally moving forward.
The Advantage of a degree-qualified nutritionist
We use our research skills to help resolve your complex case
Understanding the root of Functional Medicine: Systems Biology (the science of root-cause medicine)
A Root-Cause Approach Requires More Than supplements.
We want to be honest; we’re really bad influencers. We’ve been too busy in our clinics to build social media accounts. We know this may sets us back, but we’re focussed on what matters for our clients. As an aside note, check your Insta-Nutritionist clinical experience and training - is what they’re saying true?
We don’t read popular wellness press - we read scientific literature (we’re fun we know :)). We’re obsessed with understanding how the body works, what goes wrong and why.
What we love the most, is listening to your story. Your health journey, your ‘weak spots’, and where you struggle the most. Ideally in-person where we can really connect.
Functional medicine is not a trend or a shortcut. It requires a structured, clinically grounded, and deeply personalised approach—qualities that only come from years of focused practice, and Functional Medicine to degree-level.
frequently asked questions
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A functional medicine doctors works similarly to a functional medicine trained nutritionist, in that they run tests that look deeper, assess your case history in more detail - and nutritionists will also focus on the root imbalances and causes for your health imbalances.
A doctor can manage your medication or conditions/diagnosis alongside.
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A doctor trained by the Institute of Functional Medicine in the USA.
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It’s very short. From 5 days to circa 20 days.
In contrast degree qualified nutritionists have several years training in functional medicine.
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Someone trained in the methods taught by the IFM
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It’s actually based on more traditional Nutritional Therapy, naturopathy - but the root cause principles are rooted in ‘Systems Biology’ which is how we understand the causes for chronic disease. Very few F.M trained practitioners fully understands this concept however.
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Sleep, Diet, Movement and Belonging.
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Making unsubstantiated claims, unqualified practitioners, and a dilution of the core learnings with popular media and training.