Functional Medicine/Nutrition Counseling Online or In-Person Sessions Available
Shannon takes a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare, drawing from the principles of functional medicine—a science-based, systems-oriented model that seeks to identify and address the root causes of chronic illness rather than merely treating symptoms. This approach views the body as an interconnected whole, where imbalances in one system (such as the gut, hormones, or immune function) can affect overall health. By focusing on restoring healthy function through personalized interventions, functional medicine empowers individuals to achieve lasting wellness, improved energy, and disease prevention or reversal.
How Functional Medicine Addresses Chronic Disease
- Poor nutrition and dietary imbalances
- Chronic stress and its impact on the HPA axis (adrenal function)
- Environmental toxins and exposures
- Genetic predispositions (including single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs that affect processes like methylation, detoxification, and nutrient metabolism)
- Gut microbiome disruptions (dysbiosis)
- Hormonal imbalances
- Inflammation and oxidative stress
Conditions Commonly Treated with Functional Medicine
- Adrenal disorders and fatigue
- Alzheimer's disease and dementia prevention/support
- Arthritis and joint inflammation
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Hashimoto's, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Cancer prevention strategies
- Cardiovascular disease and metabolic health
- Diabetes (type 1 and type 2) and blood sugar regulation
- Digestive disorders (IBS, SIBO, leaky gut)
- Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes
Functional Medicine and Nutrition Assessments and Counseling
- Individual Functional Medicine/Nutrition Assessment and Plan — $260 (Comprehensive evaluation, root cause analysis—including genetic insights via Optimal Health Systems testing and blood biomarker panels—and tailored plan development)
- Follow-Up Counseling — $65 per session
Additional nutrition-focused support:
- Calculating calorie needs, ideal body weight, and metabolic requirements.
- Evaluating the nutritional adequacy of your current eating patterns.
- Designing meal patterns to sustain steady energy and blood sugar.
- Personalized diet plans for effective, sustainable weight management.
- Specialized therapeutic diets for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypoglycemia, or healthy weight gain.
- Addressing any nutrition concerns, including fats, cholesterol, fiber, fast foods, sodium, vitamins, supplements, disordered eating patterns, or other questions.
At its core, functional medicine is grounded in key principles, including:
- Biochemical individuality — Recognizing that each person has unique genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors influencing their health.
- Patient-centered care — Building a therapeutic partnership where the practitioner spends time listening deeply to your story, history, and goals.
- Systems biology — Addressing the interconnected web of body systems rather than isolating diseases.
- Root cause focus — Investigating underlying dysfunctions (e.g., inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or gut microbiome disruptions) to promote the body's natural healing abilities.
This contrasts with conventional medicine, which often excels at acute care and symptom management through standardized protocols, medications, or procedures. Functional medicine complements these by emphasizing prevention, personalization, and long-term optimization, leading to better outcomes for chronic conditions, reduced reliance on pharmaceuticals in many cases, and enhanced quality of life.
Functional medicine seeks to answer the fundamental question: “Why is this happening, and how can we restore balance?” It integrates modern scientific tools—including genetics, physiology, epigenetics, and evidence-based lifestyle interventions—with a deep understanding of how factors like nutrition, stress, toxins, and environment drive health.
What to Expect in Your Functional Medicine Journey
- Lifestyle factors: Diet, exercise, sleep, work, hobbies, and stressors.
- Genetics and family history of physical/mental conditions.
- Environmental exposures: Toxins, allergens, mold, chemicals, etc.
During your one-on-one session(s) (typically longer and more in-depth than standard visits):
- A thorough review of your health history and questionnaire.
- Discussion of your symptoms, goals, and concerns.
- Ordering of targeted lab tests or specialized assessments as needed, including Optimal Health Systems genetic testing to evaluate key SNPs (e.g., in methylation pathways) and guide precise interventions, plus their comprehensive blood panels (such as Nutrients Rx) for over 120 biomarkers to assess nutrient deficiencies, metabolic health, and more.
- Introduction to the "food as medicine" philosophy—using nutrient-dense, whole foods to heal and prevent disease.
- Collaborative identification of your unique health and fitness goals.
From there, we create a personalized, actionable plan that may include:
- Customized nutrition plan focused on anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich eating patterns.
- Supplementation recommendations to address deficiencies and support function (tailored to your genetic profile and blood biomarker results).
- Detoxification protocols to reduce toxic burden safely.
- Lifestyle modifications for stress management, sleep optimization, movement/exercise, and mindset.
- Ongoing support to track progress and adjust as needed.
If you’re ready to move beyond symptom management and uncover the root causes of your health challenges—including how your genetics and blood biomarkers play a key role—functional medicine offers a transformative path to vibrant, sustainable well-being. Contact Shannon today to start your personalized journey toward better health—from the inside out!
Functional Medicine/Nutrition Counseling
Online or in person Counseling
- Poor Nutrition
- Stress
- Toxins
- Genetics
- Microbiome (bacteria living in your gut)
- Identify your health and fitness goals.
- Suplement plan
- Detox plan
- Nutritian plan ("food as medicine" philosophy)
- Lifestyle changes
Conditions Treated With Functional Medicine
- Adrenal Disorders
- Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer Prevention
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes
- Digestive Disorders
- Fibromyalgia
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Lifestyle: Including your diet, activity level, work life, hobbies and stressors.
- Genetics: Including your family history of physical and mental conditions.
- Environment: Including your exposure to toxins and allergens.
During your one on one visit:
- Review your health history.
- Order lab tests and perform specialized blood tests as needed.
- Introduce you to our “food as medicine” philosophy.
- Identify your health goals and fitness goals.
Functional Medicine and Nutrition Assessments and Counseling
Shannon is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN, LDN) and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. She offers personalized, one-on-one nutrition counseling for individuals seeking to improve their health. She teaches her clients how to improve energy, fight disease, lose undesired body fat and live a healthy lifestyle.
Functional Medicine and Nutrition at Fit N Pilates – Frequently Asked Questions
What is functional medicine nutrition at Fit N Pilates?
Functional medicine nutrition is a science-based, root-cause approach that identifies why health issues occur rather than just treating symptoms. Shannon Rene, Registered Dietitian and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, creates personalized plans using lab testing, genetics, and lifestyle changes to restore balance in hormones, digestion, energy, inflammation, and overall wellness.
Who is Shannon Rene and what are her qualifications in functional medicine?
Shannon Rene is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN, LDN) and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP). She combines clinical nutrition expertise with functional medicine principles and authentic classical Pilates to deliver truly holistic, patient-centered care in Plano, TX.
What conditions can functional medicine nutrition help with?
Functional medicine nutrition commonly helps with adrenal fatigue, autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes and blood sugar issues, digestive disorders (IBS, SIBO, leaky gut), hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, fibromyalgia, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, low energy, weight management difficulties, and disease prevention.
What testing is used in functional medicine at Fit N Pilates?
Shannon uses comprehensive blood biomarker panels (over 120 markers), Optimal Health Systems genetic testing for SNPs, hormone testing, thyroid panels, and targeted labs for nutrients, toxins, and gut health. This data helps create highly personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans.
How does functional medicine nutrition differ from conventional nutrition counseling?
Conventional nutrition often focuses on symptoms and general advice. Functional medicine looks deeper at root causes using systems biology, biochemical individuality, genetics, and advanced testing. It emphasizes “food as medicine,” lifestyle changes, and long-term restoration of health rather than quick fixes.
How does functional medicine nutrition integrate with Pilates at Fit N Pilates?
Shannon Rene uniquely combines her functional medicine nutrition expertise with authentic classical Joseph Pilates. This holistic approach addresses both internal health (hormones, inflammation, energy) and external movement (core strength, posture, flexibility) for faster, more sustainable results than either alone.
What does a functional medicine nutrition assessment include?
The initial assessment includes a detailed health history, review of symptoms and lifestyle, analysis of current diet, advanced lab/genetic testing recommendations, and creation of a personalized nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle plan tailored to your unique biochemistry and goals.
What are the benefits of functional medicine nutrition counseling?
Clients often experience increased energy, better digestion, balanced hormones, reduced inflammation, sustainable weight management, improved mental clarity, stronger immunity, better sleep, and reduced reliance on medications through root-cause healing and personalized lifestyle changes.
Is functional medicine nutrition available online or in-person?
Yes. Functional medicine and nutrition counseling sessions are available both online (virtually) and in-person at the studio in Plano, TX. This makes it convenient for clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond.
How do I get started with functional medicine nutrition at Fit N Pilates?
Call (214) 789-5563 to schedule your initial Functional Medicine/Nutrition Assessment. Shannon will review your health history and create a customized plan designed specifically for your body and goals.