What is Functional Nutrition?

Functional nutrition is a personalized, holistic approach to health that focuses on how food and nutrients affect an individual's body, taking into account their unique needs, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions. It is rooted in functional medicine principles, emphasizing the importance of understanding the root causes of health issues rather than simply treating symptoms.

Key elements of functional nutrition include:

Personalization: Recommendations are tailored to the individual's genetic makeup, health history, dietary preferences, and lifestyle.

Focus on Whole Foods: Emphasis on nutrient-dense, whole foods that provide the body with the building blocks needed for optimal function.

Addressing Root Causes: Identifying underlying factors such as nutrient deficiencies, gut health imbalances, or inflammation that may contribute to health issues.

Bio-individuality: Recognizing that what works for one person may not work for another due to differences in genetics, environment, and personal circumstances.

Functional Testing: Using advanced diagnostic tools, like blood labs, microbiome analyses, or nutrient level testing, to guide dietary and lifestyle interventions.

Integrative Approach: Considering the interplay between diet, lifestyle factors (e.g., stress, sleep, exercise), and overall health.

Functional nutrition is often used to support chronic conditions, improve energy levels, enhance digestion, balance hormones, and promote overall well-being. It empowers individuals to take an active role in their health through informed dietary and lifestyle choices.

 

My story

Working as a touring musician means I have to be in top health in order to travel and perform great shows on little sleep. But in the early 2000s, I was struggling with severe fatigue, PMDD, sleep issues, heart palpitations, depression, brain fog, and chronic whole body pain. After 10 years of seeking help from doctors, I found little help from conventional medicine and turned towards a holistic approach. Through the help of health coaches and nutritionists, I discovered key nutritional deficiencies and food sensitivities that were the culprit behind my symptoms. Now, as a certified graduate of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Fundamental Wellness Institue, Kripalu School of Yoga & Health, Sacred Lasya School of Yoga, and Dr. Sears Wellness institute, I finds great joy in guiding others so their journey to healing is not as long as my own.

When not working with clients or teaching yoga classes, Eartha is on the road touring as an electronic musician for two separate projects. Being a live performer is a demanding mental and physical profession. Eartha is proud of the fact that all her health and wellness recommendations have been road tested under these vigorous situations for over a decade.

Eartha Harris, NTC, FBCS, RYT500, is a graduate of The Nutritional Therapy Association, Fundamenta Wellness Institue, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Sacred Lasya Yoga School, and Dr. Sears Health Coaching Wellness Institute.

I first came to Eartha to address blood sugar issues. Being a “healthy” active 30 year old woman ( avid runner and hooper), I received results from routine blood work that spelled “borderline diabetes”. I knew I couldn’t out run those numbers and something had to change! For years I had been riding a roller coaster of energy surges and crashes, brain fog and mood swings. My go to remedies were either faux “healthy” snacks, coffee or naps. (Many days, I would eat lunch, take a nap, go back to work, and immediately need to eat a snack or drink coffee. Yikes!) Enter Eartha. After a series of questionnaires, interviews and food journaling, she was able to identify not only what my diet was lacking, but also the body systems that needed more support. Together we worked to change my eating habits and food choices. Bit by bit we modified my nutrition. She always explained the reasons behind each change, and I was amazed at how my body was reacting. Once we got my body functioning better for day to day living, she helped me modify even more to support my running. Now that I have found my new normal, eating the right foods for my body and learning how my body reacts to both proper and poor nutrition, I am feeling better than ever. The issues I was having before have all subsided, but what is even better, is things that I experienced chronically, like dizzy spells, allergies, joint pain, dry eyes and even anxiety have all improved as well! My relationship with my husband is even better! Win!!I am continually amazed at how nutrition effects everything! I feel amazing and I owe it all to Eartha. Her support and knowledge, and passion for helping others has truly been a blessing in my life. I can’t thank her enough for helping me find my way to live bright!
— L.  Rowe, Franklin IN
  • Eartha has change my life with her vitality plan, providing me with more focus, with more energy and with more enthusiasm throughout the day. While starting college, being a 26 year old man, with poor eating habits, lacking of concentration, feeling unmotivated early in the morning, feeling spaced out after meals was very hard. Eartha has guided me through steps, stabilizing my sugar levels and controlling my afternoon cravings. Therefore I was more productive, started to feel amazing and very determined to keep studying for longer hours. It was worth every penny!

  • Eartha is an amazing healer! She genuinely cares about your well being and works hard to provide tips, advice, and specialized plans that are tailored to fit your exact needs. Her goal is not to provide a quick fix, but rather, to educate you, learn with you, and understand the root causes of your symptoms. I have been consistently working with her for over six months and she has been there for me every step of the way. Before I started working with Eartha, I had a plethora of challenging health issues (migraines, skin rashes, anxiety, challenges with digestion, random aches and pains, trouble with sleep patterns, low energy, etc). My doctor was only able to treat my symptoms individually with over the counter medicine, but she never had the time, interest, or knowledge to delve deeper into any of the root causes of my health imbalances. Eartha, on the other hand, took a very holistic approach. A doctor couldn’t come close to the kind of support that Eartha provides. She has helped me understand my body and has diligently created a health plan for me each month that targeted my unique needs and helped me overcome all my health challenges. I am so thankful for her holistic approach to health and wellness. Eartha has the knowledge, passion, and patience to help you achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle!

  • Since working with Eartha, I have gotten a job, largely overcome my insomnia, gained confidence, developed a new love of yoga, learned self discipline, emerged from a long dark phased of depression, gotten rid of all those pesky toxins, replaced my eczema with soft glowing skin, given up my dependance on alcohol, nicotine (gaping), and sleeping pills, improved my oral health, increased my energy levels, developed a more positive “I can do anything I set my mind to” type attitude and fallen in <3 with Eartha Harris because she helped me turn my frown upside down when no one else could. I’m infinitely grateful for the opportunity to do this cleanse. It has made a bigger impact on my life than I ever could have imagined. Thank you Eartha!

  • I’ve been raving about the cleanse I did with Eartha. Now's your chance! Put yourself on a good path for this coming winter.

  • For my health conscious friends, or even those who just haven’t been feeling up to par lately, I’d highly recommend you check out this cleanse. No its not one of those fad diets or drink only maple syrup for a week kind of crap. This is a legit, mono diet cleanse, yoga routine and support group for 5 days. I joined in on last months group and saw some great results. It helped me cut way back on my caffeine intake and eliminate a lot of the processed fats and sugars I’d been eating. I especially noticed the week after the cleanse how much more energy I had. If you’re looking for a great way to give you’re self a jump start before the holiday season, contact Eartha to join in

  • If you have thought, a doubt, or concern about a good cleanse that is healthy and will leave you with a transformed thinking about your patterns in life......this is who I would HIGHLY recommend in your search. Knowledgeable and accessible information and action to gently guide you to whatever your destination of health may be. Is it time for you to make a change?

Special thanks for the continuing inspiration from the following teachers and mentors that I have personally trained with: 

Michael Rutherford, Founder, Fundamenta Wellness Institute

Anne Fischer-Silva, Instructor, Nutritional Therapy Association

Sharon Porter, Instructor, Nutritional Therapy Association

Coby Koslowski, Sr. Kripalu Instructor, Life Coach

Danny Arguetti, Sr. Kripalu Instructor

Devarshi Steven Hartman, Sr. Kripalu Instructor

Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, Sr. Kripalu Instructor

Shawna Pelton, Healer, Coach

Toni Bergens, Founder, JourneyDance

Carrie Mackowitz, Health Coach

Liz Vequist, Health Coach

Leah Shapiro, Life Coach