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Functional Nutrition
Essentials

Create a new healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family
FREE Sample Lesson 

LEARNING
OUTCOME

Create a new healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family

TYPE OF
STUDY

100% Online and
self-paced

RECOGNITION

Approved course through the International Institute of Complimentary Therapists (IICT)

DURATION

12 Months

Is this the course for me?

This course is for you if you are wanting to expand on your current knowledge or simply improve your own health or the health of your family. Functional Nutrition Essentials is a 12 month quiz based course. At completion of the course you will be qualified and able to gain insurance to practice as a Nutrition Consultant. 

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What you'll learn?

Based on the vitalistic philosophy, this course dives deep into past and present-day nutrition trends and the implications on our health and wellbeing. Learn exactly where your food comes from and create holistic change for yourself and others to increase energy and build immunity. 

Anthropology and diet: an evolutionary perspective.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Vitalism
- Anthropology and diet: an evolutionary perspective
- Food trends and cultural influences on food
- Nutrition in the 21st century
- Food trends and nutritional habits within modern society many others.

With a focus on the biomedical, this module covers the essential information about the relationship between nutrition and the human body as an intelligent, self-aware system that processes food in a natural way to achieve health and longevity.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Nutrients and health
- Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
- Metabolism and the energetics of food
- The digestive system

Discover the modern influences that disrupt the ‘innate’ human intelligence of the body. Learn about the role of marketing and advertising of foods on health, supplements, drugs, food additives, chemicals and genetically modified foods, and how these impact our daily lives and health status.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Supplements, drugs and food additives
- Influences of marketing and advertisement
- The chemical revolution
- Genetic modification

Gain detailed knowledge about the Immune System, including Autoimmunity and Immune Dysfunction and how they can be influenced by food and nutrition. Investigate food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances to understand the differences between each of the and identify their consequences as they appear within the human body. Finally, the module will explore one of the largest areas of the Immune System, the Gut, with a focus on understanding ‘Leaky Gut’.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- The amazing immune system
- Autoimmunity and immune dysfunction
- Nutrition, immune function and probiotics
- Leaky gut and autoimmune disease 

Understand a key component in any diet – Cholesterol and Fats. looks at the facts about cholesterol and fats, their relationship with the human body and their overall impact on human health.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Traditional and evolving beliefs about fat and cholesterol
- Fats 101
- Good fats and bad fats
- The impact of fat and cholesterol on the human body: Implications for disease

Explore the basic science, history and nutritional role that sugar plays in the human body. Participants will learn about Insulin resistance, Type I and Type II Diabetes. They will also learn to recognise the properties of sugar that can impact on an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Sugar: a historical perspective of its science and nutritional roles in the human body
- Evolution and disease processes
- Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes
- Management strategies for diabetes

This module explores the complexity and multi-faceted issues of obesity and other types of dysfunctional relationships with food, from both the body and mind perspective. The participant will gain an understanding of the issues of obesity and the problems associated with obesity management.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Obesity: a brief historical perspective, epidemiology and social impact
- Obesity and control of appetite
- Food addiction and the psychology of food
- Obesity and management

Understand the nutritional needs of different age groups — babies and children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Learn to identify the impact different foods have on the health of these different age groups, and the long-term effects they have on people’s health.

Learn about the complex world of hormones and the connections between hormonal balance in the human body and diet. Look at key life events that alter the body’s natural hormone balance and identify and apply nutritional changes to restore hormone balance during these events. 

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Hormones and the endocrine system
- The thyroid and iodine: diet and diagnosis
- Fertility, pregnancy and menopause
- Balancing hormones

Explore the connection between eating and exercise across the spectrum, from non-athletes to elite and professional sports people. Research and investigate these connections from the perspective of increasing performance and decreasing the risk of injury.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Exercise and sport
- Professional and elite athletes
- Food supplements and exercise performance
- Eating for longevity

Discover a wide array of diet trends. Explore both the pros and cons of each varying diet to make informed choices to suit an individual’s needs.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Diet trends, Part 1
- Diet trends, Part 2
- Blood, saliva, urine and sensitivity testing
- Recommending suitable diets

Learn the many other facets that contribute to health and well-being. Discover a range of factors in determining holistic solutions that will facilitate sustained change in your health and well-being.

Lessons covered in this module include:

- Microbiomes and nutrigenomics
- Emotion: grief, anxiety and depression
- Cosmetics
- The environment

Additional income streams that you can make by becoming a Nutrition Academy affiliate.
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How is the course delivered?

The Functional Nutrition Essentials course is 100% online with no classroom time needed, so you can study when it suits you! 

There is an opportunity to track your learning during your studies by engaging with the quizzes provided at the end of each module. 

Course Fees

Functional Nutrition Essentials + Full Payment

$1,997
Non-refundable unless within
our cooling off period see FAQS

Hear from our students

See the latest reviews from our course graduates!

Hear from our students

See the latest reviews from our course graduates!

Monique Hastie

“I felt like I was missing a piece after completing my bachelor of nutrition. I felt like The Nutrition Academy offered me all that information I really wanted to learn more about…

Monique Hastie

“I felt like I was missing a piece after completing my bachelor of nutrition. I felt like The Nutrition Academy offered me all that information I really wanted to learn more about…

Monique Hastie

“I felt like I was missing a piece after completing my bachelor of nutrition. I felt like The Nutrition Academy offered me all that information I really wanted to learn more about…

Monique Hastie

“I felt like I was missing a piece after completing my bachelor of nutrition. I felt like The Nutrition Academy offered me all that information I really wanted to learn more about…

It absolutely changed my life.
It’s critical and it’s time that we all start to take our power back.

Alicia Berry, Functional Nutrition Course graduate.

Download course guide

Download a copy of the Functional Nutrition course guide below!

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Your Questions Answered

The Introduction to Nutrition Course is our introductory, Information only course. It is a great starting course especially if you are new to nutrition and our philosophy. It does not contain any assessments. It consists of a selection of different learning formats from podcasts, to reports to videos etc. The Introduction course sets the foundation of learning about our philosophy, so you can move into our more advanced Functional Nutrition Essentials or Functional Nutrition IICT Approved course if you wish.

If your knowledge of Nutrition is at starter level, then we would suggest completing the Introduction to Nutrition course first. It is based on our course creator, Cyndi O’Meara’s book Changing Habits Changing Lives (Now called- Lab To Table). If you are not familiar with this book or the philosophy, then we suggest starting at this level or familiarising yourself with the content of Lab To Table book before starting Functional Nutrition Essentials. If you have some basic foundational knowledge of Nutrition you can start with Functional Nutrition Essentials.

Our Introduction to Nutrition and Microbiome courses can be started anytime during the year.

Functional Nutrition Essentials and the Functional Nutrition IICT approved course have several intakes during the course of the year. You can start either of these courses at any time, however Intake periods will offer sponsorship to the course (meaning you can enrol for a discounted rate).

Our courses are not government accredited. We are an approved Training provider with IICT (International Institute of Complementary Therapists). This means graduates of Functional Nutrition Essentials course qualify for Membership and Insurance through one of the most comprehensive professional bodies for Natural Therapists in the world. All our graduates in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Europe and United Kingdom, qualify for membership and insurance under the modality of Nutrition Consultant.

IICT (International Institute for Complementary Therapists) and IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre) are independent organisations that recognise training providers and their courses in the health and wellness field. Accreditation from these bodies means The Nutrition Academy’s courses have been reviewed and approved as meeting their standards for quality and professional education.

This accreditation provides reassurance that our programs are recognised within the natural health industry. As approved Nutrition Consultants, our graduates are supported by professional membership, insurance, and legitimacy through these recognised bodies.This accreditation demonstrate the value of these studies to future clients, employers, and professional associations, and may provide access to additional professional networks and opportunities.

Introduction to Nutrition : This course is a 10-module course that can be completed in 10 weeks working on one module per week. You'll have 12 months access to complete it.

Functional Nutrition Essentials : Is a 12-module course which can be completed within 12 months or less and we'll give you 2 years access to complete it.

Microbiome Course : Is a 10-module course that can be completed in 10 weeks if you can complete a module a week. You'll have 12 months access to complete it.

It takes approximately 4-6 hours per lesson and there are 4 lessons per module. If you can dedicate 4-6 hours per week and complete one lesson weekly or one module per month you could complete the 12 modules in 12 months. 



You can however spend a lot more time if you are interested in a topic, as there are additional suggested readings for each module. We also understand that everyone learns at a different pace, so these are approximate guidelines only. That’s why we give you two years access to complete the course.

No, Functional Nutrition Essentials does not have assessments however there will be quizzes at the end of each module so you are able to track your learning progress..

Yes, you are provided with support throughout your learning journey by The Nutrition Academy team, qualified assessors, and other learners and graduates through our private Facebook group, online forum and direct messaging system in the E-Learning Platform.

Our courses are completely online, meaning you don't have to go to any physical classrooms – you can learn from wherever you're comfortable. Besides the main course materials, we hold monthly webinars for students, which you can join online or watch later since they're recorded.



The course itself covers a range of resources like lesson notes, videos, audios, and interactive activities to help you grasp the material and enhance your critical thinking. Everything you need to ace your assessments is included. At the end of each module, we've also added a suggested readings section. These are optional books we recommend for those who want to keep expanding their knowledge. The best part? There's no extra charge – they're automatically part of the package.

We empower our learners to develop critical thinking skills, especially in the face of a barrage of conflicting information. Our aim is to equip our learners with the ability to discern credible sources and to be well-versed in locating and presenting evidence when needed.



The knowledge you acquire through our course sets it apart from other mainstream nutrition programs available. Our holistic approach is rooted in Cultural Anthropology principles and a vitalistic perspective on nutrition, viewing the body as a complete entity. Instead of merely focusing on individual components, we examine the entire system and its interconnectedness. This approach delves into how the components collaborate harmoniously to achieve specific functions and outcomes.

Absolutely! Our courses are entirely online, so you can access the course content from anywhere around the globe, provided you have a reliable internet connection and access to a computer.

Learn from world-class experts

Alexx Start

Impacts Of The
Modern World

ALEXX STUART
DR. DAMIAN KRISTOF

Eating Through The Generations

DR. DAMIAN KRISTOF
DR. NATASHA CAMPBELL-MCBRIDE

The Immune
System

DR. NATASHA CAMPBELL-MCBRIDE
DR. PETER BRUKNER

The Importance of Eating and Exercise

DR. PETER BRUKNER
DR, SHERILL SELLMAN

Hormones

DR, SHERILL SELLMAN
DR. JASON HAWRELAK

The Microbiodata

DR. JASON HAWRELAK
RICHARD WRANGHAM

Cultural
Anthropology

RICHARD WRANGHAM
DR. SARAH FARRANT

Vitalism

DR. SARAH FARRANT

Learn from world-class experts

Alexx Start

Impacts Of The
Modern World

ALEXX STUART
DR. DAMIAN KRISTOF

Eating Through The Generations

DR. DAMIAN KRISTOF
DR. NATASHA CAMPBELL-MCBRIDE

The Immune
System

DR. NATASHA CAMPBELL-MCBRIDE
DR. PETER BRUKNER

The Importance of Eating and Exercise

DR. PETER BRUKNER
DR, SHERILL SELLMAN

Hormones

DR, SHERILL SELLMAN
DR. JASON HAWRELAK

The Microbiodata

DR. JASON HAWRELAK
RICHARD WRANGHAM

Cultural
Anthropology

RICHARD WRANGHAM
DR. SARAH FARRANT

Vitalism

DR. SARAH FARRANT

Learn online from any location

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It's happening! For those of our community who live on the Sunshine Coast, or are able to travel from South-East Queensland, Cyndi will be talking in the library. Join her at this amazing real food workshop at any of the dates and libraries outlined in the post. Book your ticket via the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ ↳ follow the link in our bio

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Looking for a way to change your life and improve your health? Join us at The Nutrition Academy to learn new things, and take control of your own well-being. ⁠
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Hey everyone, we`ll be taking a short break over the next couple weeks. You`ll see Cyndi here again from the 5th of January! You can still enrol in any courses during this time, and if you send any inquiries through we will get back to you, though we appreciate your patience if there`s a delay!

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Hey everyone, we'll be taking a short break over the next couple weeks. You'll see Cyndi here again from the 5th of January! You can still enrol in any courses during this time, and if you send any inquiries through we will get back to you, though we appreciate your patience if there's a delay!

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