FAQ's
Welcome to our FAQ page! At Functional Nutrition Institute, we understand that embarking on a health and wellness journey can come with many questions. To help you get started and feel confident in your path to better health, we've compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Whether you're curious about our services, nutritional philosophies, or how to get started, you'll find the information you need right here.
If you don't see your question answered below, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Q: How do you develop a social media strategy for my business?
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) to order nutritional supplements, gym memberships, protein powders, CGMs if not diabetic and not on insulin, etc?
Q: How do you develop a social media strategy for my business?
Yes, obtain a “letter of medical necessity” from your primary care physician.
How do you know if a supplement is “clean”?
Q: How do you develop a social media strategy for my business?
Q: How do you develop a social media strategy for my business?
All supplements, and protein powders, recommended are verified through a provider in Practice Better and known to be free from chemicals, additives, and preservatives that are not allowed in the United States or Europe.
Q: How do you develop a social media strategy for my business?
What is the NOVA classification system?
Q: How do you develop a social media strategy for my business?
The NOVA classification system categorized foods based on the extent and purpose of their processing and fall into one of four categories:
• Unprocessed or minimally processed foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds
• Processed culinary ingredients: Seasonings, dried spices, vanilla extracts oils, sugars, and salt
• Processed foods: Foods made by adding salt, sugar, and oil to unprocessed or minimally processed foods that result in alterations of their nutritional composition and taste: Canned vegetables, fruits in syrup, cheeses, bread
• Ultra-processed food and beverages: These are industrial formulations typically using 5 or more ingredients that are made to look like food but are not and often have artificial flavors, sweeteners, emulsifiers, thickening agents, contain little or no whole food often high in fat, sugar, salt, and additives: Cookies, boxed pancake mix, tortilla chips, potato chips, frozen entrees
Yes, with good nutrition
Labs to know: CRP, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, blood glucose, A1C, fasting insulin, ALT, AST
• Blood pressure
• Waist circumference
• Waist-to-hip ratio
Preservatives: sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sodium nitrite, BHA, and BHT
• Flavor enhancers: MSG, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract
• Artificial colors: tartrazine (E102), sunset Yellow (E110) Allura Red (E129), brilliant blue (E133), carmine (E120)
• Artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, sucralose Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), neotame (linked to potential respiratory distress)
Substances banned in the Europe
• Artificial colors not allowed in EU due to safety concerns: Yellow 5 (tartrazine), Yellow 6 (sunset yellow) and Red 40 (Allura red, known to cause an excitatory response in children)
• rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone): Used to increase milk production in dairy cows. Its use is permitted in the US but banned in EU due to animal welfare and health concerns
• Chlorine washes: Used to sanitize poultry carcasses. This is permitted in the US but banned in EU due to concerns about food safety and animal welfare
• Hormone treated beef: Hormones such as estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone are used to promote growth in cattle. Hormone treated beef is allowed in the US but banned in EU due to concern about potential health risks
