Many functional dietitians follow the 5-R’s when working with clients:
- Remove: Remove any foods from the diet that you are allergic or sensitive to, as well as any pathogens in the digestive tract.
- Replace: Replace anything you are deficient in, such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, digestive enzymes, bile, etc.
- Repopulate: Repopulate your gut with the right balance of gut bacteria, as needed, using probiotics & fermented foods.
- Repair: Repair damage to the gut as needed, with supplements to support the process.
- Rebalance: Examine your current lifestyle & look for places in which it is unbalanced. Things to examine include sleep quality, stress levels, work-life balance, social support, and stress-relieving activities.
Erica Julson is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in sunny California. She has over a decade of experience in food writing and recipe development and is the proud founder of four blogs in the food and nutrition space. Erica has also been part of Healthline's Nutrition Team and is an expert at translating research into helpful information for readers.