Functional Nutrition For Dummies

Oct 15, 2025

If you’ve been wondering what is functional nutrition, it goes beyond simply looking at calories, macros, or even isolated food groups. Functional nutrition considers the unique biochemistry of each person, their lifestyle, stress load, and gut health to create a personalized plan that restores balance and optimizes function. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach, it asks: why is the body out of balance in the first place, and what nourishment is needed to help it thrive again? At Well Humans, we use advanced functional lab testing to uncover hidden imbalances such as food sensitivities, microbiome disruptions, and nutrient deficiencies that may be keeping you stuck in chronic symptoms.

You may be asking, does functional nutrition work? The answer is yes—when applied correctly and guided by testing rather than guesswork, functional nutrition can be a powerful tool for uncovering and addressing root causes. Many people come to us after years of trying conventional approaches that only mask symptoms without solving the problem. By identifying underlying triggers—whether it’s gut dysbiosis, blood sugar imbalances, or inflammatory food reactions—we create a roadmap that doesn’t just cover up symptoms, but supports long-term healing and resilience.

A major focus of our work at Well Humans is teaching people how to improve gut health with functional nutrition. Since nearly 70% of your immune system lives in the gut, its balance affects digestion, energy, mood, hormones, and even skin. Functional nutrition restores gut health by identifying irritants and deficiencies while reintroducing nourishing foods and targeted supplements to repair the intestinal lining, calm inflammation, and rebuild microbial diversity. With the right testing, you can stop guessing and finally understand why bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, or brain fog have persisted—and more importantly, how to heal them.

Functional nutrition is not a fad or quick fix. It’s a science-backed, personalized approach to wellness that helps you understand the unique needs of your body and empowers you to make sustainable choices. At Well Humans, we don’t just hand you a meal plan—we walk alongside you, offering the insight of functional lab testing, coaching, and step-by-step strategies to reclaim your health. If you’re ready to stop treating symptoms and start uncovering the “why” behind them, functional nutrition may be the solution you’ve been searching for.

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Fix Your Gut and Feel Your Best

carla alpert functional medicine practitioner

Hello and Welcome! My name is Carla Alpert, and I’m a Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach and Diagnostic Practitioner, focusing on the gut and how it affects your overall health. Think of me as a health detective and wellness coach working in partnership with you to restore your health. We work together to uncover the contributing factors to your chronic symptoms, to eat well, sleep well, move more and stress less.

I love the GI MAP test because it helps my clients and I discover gut dysfunction that may be contributing to daily digestive issues as well as other chronic symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and brain fog. I created this GI MAP Coaching Package to help you stop struggling with your health and get back to living your best life.

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What Clients Are Saying

Carla really helped me to figure out my gut pain and issues after so many years. I finally feel like I have energy and clarity around my health! She was so easy to talk to and helped me discover problem areas that were causing me so much distress, when no other doctors could help.
VICTORIA

Well Humans changed my life. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis accompanied by chronic hives. It sprang up out of nowhere and caused bizarre “food allergies” that I’d never had before. Because of Carla’s coaching and dietary recommendations as well as GI Map testing, I can happily say that I am now symptom-free, and I have been in remission for over a year now. All of the doctors I saw told me I would have to deal with my symptoms because there was no cure, but here I am, back to living a mostly normal life. I highly recommend Carla and Well Humans for anyone looking for real answers and treatments that work.
KALYN

When working with Carla, you are in capable, compassionate, knowledgeable and caring hands. Carla truly cares about your well being and wants to help you be the healthiest that you can be. My health was truly suffering and with her guidance and suggested testing, we uncovered some issues that nobody else had uncovered, despite my going to some of the top rated medical institutions. My health and pain improved greatly due to Carla’s sleuthing…she knew where to look. Through many health challenges, I was quite emotional and Carla showed me what compassion looks like. If you want to truly improve your health, start with Well Humans.
BETH

Over years, I’ve tried various “alternative” medicine as well as conventional “western” medicine approaches. Skin ailments are hard to treat – so many aspects of a life can produce skin symptoms. I enthusiastically recommend Well Humans and Carla for a simple reason – I’ve experienced sustained, substantial improvement! I have hardly ever posted a review of anything, but writing this was an easy choice to make. I wish you all the best in your journey towards better health!
JON

I searched the U.S. to find someone who does what Carla does. Carla has used her knowledge, support and expertise to optimize my health and well-being with a blend of scientific medical tests, supplements and diet changes. I wasted a lot of time on my hunches, the internet and experiments with supplements and food and NOW i have an actual plan. Superb supportive knowledge and guidance. I highly recommend Carla. Grateful.
LISA

I never knew that I had a gluten allergy and intolerance until Carla discovered it in my blood work! I’m so grateful that she made this discovery and I have been gluten free ever since. I sleep better, don’t feel bloated and have much more energy. It was a life-changing insight.
ROB

Carla is very knowledgeable and kind. She helped me navigate a health issue with grace and the utmost care. Carla goes above and beyond with her clients and I highly recommend her. She genuinely cares!
ALLISON

I have been working with Carla for quite some time and she has helped me turn my life and health around. She is non-judgmental, and always wants the best for her clients. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a fantastic bedside manner. She has truly changed my life for the better and I will always be grateful for everything she has done.
ROB

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