CNS Functional Nutrition Flashcards

Which concept in functional nutrition describes how genetic variants influence an individual's response to specific nutrients?

Answer: Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics studies how genetic variants affect the body's response to dietary components, enabling personalized nutrition recommendations.

In functional nutrition, the '5R' gut restoration protocol begins with which step?

Answer: Remove

The 5R protocol (Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, Repair, Rebalance) starts with removing dietary irritants, pathogens, and stressors affecting gut function.

Which methylation-related vitamin deficiency is most commonly screened in functional nutrition assessments to address elevated homocysteine?

Answer: Folate (B9)

Folate, along with B12 and B6, is critical for the methylation cycle that converts homocysteine to methionine; deficiency raises cardiovascular risk.

The MTHFR C677T polymorphism reduces activity of which enzyme central to methylation?

Answer: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase

The MTHFR enzyme converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate needed for homocysteine remethylation; the C677T variant reduces this activity by up to 70%.

Which dietary pattern is most frequently recommended in functional nutrition for reducing systemic inflammation and modulating the gut microbiome?

Answer: Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is rich in polyphenols, omega-3 fats, and fiber that collectively reduce inflammatory cytokines and promote microbiome diversity.

In functional nutrition, 'leaky gut' is clinically described as increased intestinal permeability, most often assessed using which biomarker?

Answer: Zonulin

Zonulin is a protein that regulates tight junctions; elevated serum zonulin levels are used as a surrogate marker for increased intestinal permeability.