"To heal and transform, we must look within. Although we seek clues from your one-of-a-kind history and genetics, the most powerful tools for transformation can't be found on a lab report — they're your intuitive knowledge, your self-awareness, and the belief you can change for a better life."
Functional and Integrative Nutrition
I'm Karen Reynolds and I'm not your everyday dietitian. I'm a functional and integrative nutritionist, which makes me part science-lover, part investigator, part coach...and more! I'm here to get to the bottom of your health challenges so you can feel better now, prevent problems down the road, and live vibrantly at every age.
I'm passionate about:
Getting clear on what's going on— We dig deep into your individual genetics and physiology for informed treatments.
Treating the root of a condition — We find and treat the underlying causes so you can stop just chasing symptoms.
Creating custom roadmap — Your program is always targeted to your specific biology, lifestyle and goals.
Looking at the whole body — If your ankles swell, we may support your adrenals. With brain fog, we may look to your gut.
Involving the whole self — Yes, we support your body, but your beliefs, values, lifestyle and aspirations are vital to our process.
Building resilience — My greatest aim is to help you feel better now while working toward vibrant aging and longevity.
My Specialities
Brain Health
Uncover the keys to brain health and vital aging with an understanding of your genetics, lifestyle, nutrition and inflammatory profile.
Gut Health
Resolve your symptoms and get to the root cause of your GI and related disorders through a thoughtful and science-driven process.
Nutrigenomics
Restore health and prevent illness through targeted nutrition and lifestyle programs based on your nutrigenomic profile.
The Functional Nutrition Difference
Integrative and Functional Medicine Nutrition is a specialty that is not taught in traditional dietetic programs. It is an advanced nutrition approach for building and maintaining optimal health. I practice it because it's scientifically-supported and leads to remarkable outcomes.
I've been a dietitian for 30+ years, and I'm continually advancing my skills so I can offer the most cutting-edge nutritional practices. These include advanced certifications in neuroinflammation, gut inflammation, food sensitivities, dysglycemia, methylation and clinical nutrigenomics.
What does this mean, exactly? It means I use advanced testing and nutrition to treat inflammation; gut issues; brain, mood and memory disorders; and many complex conditions that are traditionally considered progressive and incurable.
In short, it means I'm equipped to leave no stone unturned in finding and treating the root causes of your condition so you can heal now and thrive long-term.
My Expertise (Specialities)
Functional Medicine Nutrition
Nutrigenomics
Gut Health
Brain Health
Food Sensitivities
My Experience
RDN, LD, cFMN, CLT, CGN 30+ years
Clinical RDN
Chief Dietitian
Acute Care Hospital
Food Service Director
Acute Care Hospital
Wellness RDN
Acute Care Hospital
Private Practice
Functional Medicine Nutrition
Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Kaatsu Instructor
(Muscle and Neuroprotective Benefits)
My Advanced Certifications
Certified Nutrigenomics Practitioner
Integrative and Functional Medicine Nutrition Therapy - cFMN
Integrative and Functional Medicine Nutrition Therapy - FMNS - completion 2022
Certified Gastrointestinal Nutritionist - CGN
Certified LEAP Therapist for Food Sensitivities
Kharrazian Institute Certifications:
- Neuroinflammation
- Gastrointestinal
- Diabetes and Dysglycemia
- Clinical Mastership Program
Certified PreCODE/ReCODE Practitioner - The Bredesen Protocol
The Alzheimer's diagnosis that changed my life
The loss of a mind is a tragedy, especially when it hits home. Dementia plants its seeds in the brain decades before symptoms are noticed. As the hippocampus shrinks, so does memory: about a half percent each year after the age of 40.
The symptoms appeared years ago: not remembering the hotel floor, poor sense of direction, forgetting conversations from a few days ago, then a few minutes. It was easy at first to write it off to busyness or preoccupation. Then came the diagnosis — early Alzheimer's disease.
Let’s talk about FEAR! This is one of the scariest conditions I could imagine ... slowly losing your memory, who you are, what you have done and accomplished and how you carry out the details of your life.
I couldn’t sit back and just watch this hideous disease take my loved one. Thus began my journey into the field of Functional Medicine Nutrition. Already a Registered Dietitian, I knew nutrition, genes and lifestyle played a pivotal role, and, in some cases, could help reverse cognitive decline.
Knowing the brain has a direct effect on the gut and vice versa, I immersed myself into the world of gut and brain inflammation. I earned certifications in Functional Medicine Nutrition and Dr. Dale Breseden's PreCODE/ReCODE protocol for reversing cognitive decline. And then I got to work! Using leading-edge functional medicine tests, we found and resolved numerous hidden sources of inflammation, after which, we overhauled my loved one's nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, brain stimulation, detoxification and targeted supplementation strategy.
Alzheimer's Disease is a daunting and overwhelming experience for both patients and their families. It takes a team of family, friends, caregivers and experts to provide the care required to keep this disease from progressing.
After four years as an unrelenting nutrition and exercise coach, I can happily say my loved one is still maintaining an independent and engaged life. I'm so grateful to have the knowledge and expertise to offer a second chance to grow old while living life to the fullest. What a wake up call!
If you're facing Alzheimer's as a patient or caregiver, please understand there are no quick fixes. However, with the advent of nutrigenomic testing, we now have advanced information about the effects of food on gene expression. If you know your genes, you then have an entry point to affect how they are expressed. Even with an APOE4/4, the strongest indicator of potential gene expression leading to Alzheimer's, nutrition and lifestyle have an effect on the expression of those genes: whether Alzheimer's develops, how quickly it progresses, and how strong of a toll it takes. There is hope!
Genes are not our destiny, and supporting our genes can have the biggest impact on keeping our brains and overall health robust, so we can lead a healthy life from our younger years to our golden years. Take the steps now. The earlier you begin, the better your chance to live life optimally.
"Everyone knows a cancer survivor but no one knows an Alzheimer’s survivor."
As I hope I have succeeded in showing...that is yesterday’s news.
The End of Alzheimer’s, Dale E. Bredesen, MD.
Celebrated life-changing nutrition
Improved memory
After following a personalized nutrition roadmap with targeted supplements and exercise, clients who came to me for other issues are often delighted by an improved memory.
Off prescription drugs
A delighted client had their mood disorder improved through diet and specific supplements based on nutrigenomics. They are now off prescription medications, with depression under control and improved self awareness and well-being.
SIBO symptoms reversed
SIBO patients test negative, which is the ultimate outcome! To be able to eat fermentable foods, cruciferous vegetables and starches without the gas, bloating and digestive issues dramatically changes many of my clients' lives. They feel energetic and revitalized and love life again. Plus, they no longer have to wear tent clothing due to bloat!
Reduced weight and better energy
Often clients have no idea how poorly they felt until they finish their LEAP protocol for food sensitivities. One client suddenly no longer needed antacids, and experienced improved sleep, reduced weight, improved energy and no more reflux.
Acne cleared
Clients can be surprised when acne is resolved after a gut restoration program. Removing the gut bugs and parasites, changing to an organic, whole food based diet and eliminating the food sensitivities improves the body holistically.
Restored love of body
One of my favorite memories was a client who lost 50 lbs and no longer felt embarrassed to exercise in public — they were finally able to enjoy group classes at the YMCA.
Left back to normal
Long distance car-rides become possible again for ulcerative colitis patients who can now go an extended time without bathroom stops due to being gluten-free or other dietary changes.
Anxiety addressed with nutrition
Nutritional changes, targeted supplementation and exercise improved a severe case of anxiety for a grateful client.
Changed life
One patient who was post-surgical for cancer solved their daily diarrhea through a nutritional assessment that pinpointed damage from a specific antibiotic. Following a leap protocol resolved her multiple food sensitivities and her symptoms, changing her life.
After 20 years...now better!
A client with 20 years of IBS, who could not leave her house before 11am due to diarrhea, improved her symptoms by 85% and is a happy camper.
Ready to change the trajectory of your health?
Today is the day to
change your brain
