Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are essential members of the whole healthcare landscape. While all RDNs are trained in clinical nutrition, integrative and functional RDNs bring a distinct systems-oriented approach ingrained in personalization and root-cause healing.
The RDN credential
RDNs are nationally credentialed professionals who complete extensive academic coursework, supervised clinical training, and board certification. Their education spans biochemistry, physiology, psychology, and counseling and serves as a foundation for translating complex science into actionable, individualized care.
One of the defining features of the RDN credential is the legal authorization to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Because MNT is reimbursable by insurance, RDNs serve as providers in both conventional and integrative medical settings, ensuring access to nutrition therapy across health systems.
Evidence-based care for common and chronic conditions
Integrative and functional nutrition is a science-based practice. Integrative RDNs combine research with clinical expertise to develop tailored nutrition and lifestyle plans. This approach respects both biochemical individuality and personal preferences and seeks to understand the “why” behind symptoms.
RDNs help prevent, manage, and treat conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, and obesity.
Meaningful nutrition guidance
Integrative nutrition recognizes that nourishment is shaped by more than just food. Culture, beliefs, ancestry, relationships, stressors, and personal stories all influence how, why, and what we eat.
Integrative RDNs honor the fullness of this experience. They explore the emotional, mental, spiritual, and social dimensions of health to help patients understand their relationship with food in a deeper, more meaningful way.
“‘Integrative,’ in essence, expands our view of nutrition to not only the food we eat, but [to] who we are as human beings,” says Jena S. Griffith, RDN, IHC.
What ‘functional’ really means
As a complement to integrative nutrition, functional nutrition considers each person’s unique biochemistry. It’s investigative work that reveals less obvious patterns and underlying issues that affect overall health.
“Functional nutrition deepens our understanding of the patient or client,” says Jena. “It is a personalized approach based on biochemical individuality.”
Through comprehensive assessments, functional RDNs explore genetics, gut health, environmental exposures, sleep quality, stress physiology, and metabolic function. Their goal is to restore physiological balance and resilience with whole-food therapies, lifestyle interventions, and, when appropriate, targeted supplementation.
Serving communities, shaping collaborative care
RDNs practice in various healthcare settings, from hospitals and outpatient clinics to public schools, long-term care facilities, functional medicine centers, and wellness practices. This breadth allows RDNs to serve multiple populations and tailor care according to cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors.
With deep understanding of behavior change, RDNs lead and collaborate across interprofessional teams to design and initiate adaptable treatment plans, providing nutrition-driven insights that support better outcomes.
Cultivating healthier perspectives on food
RDNs translate nutrition science into practical, positive daily habits. By recognizing the interconnected factors behind eating behaviors, they help people nurture healthier relationships with food and their bodies.
