Certified Practicing Nutritionists (CPNs) are a recognised nutrition-focused allied health professional trained in various areas of nutrition modification, but what makes a CPN unique? Read on to find out the key differences that make a CPN.

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What makes a CPN unique?

There are many different allied health professions that engage with nutrition to varying degrees, and all of them have their unique quality that make allied health professions so valuable. Some things that make CPNs unique are:

CPNs are a primary care professional.

What this means is that CPNs are considered a professional that provides some form of first-line care. For example, a CPN might be the first point of call for managing issues related to food, or assistance with managing a newly diagnosed chronic condition. There are many reasons why a patient might seek out the assistance of a CPN as a primary care provider.

CPNs are TGA Schedule One Exempt.

Okay, this is some legal jargon, but basically, this means that a CPN has been trained to prescribe targeted nutritional interventions that might be outside of what is written on the label. CPNs have specific training in their degrees that allows them to understand complex metabolic pathways in the body and prescribe supplements in an evidence-based and targeted manner. CPNs are the only nutrition-based profession with this training and exemption.

For example, a patient presents to the clinic with persistent iron-deficiency anaemia even though they are supplementing daily. A CPN takes a comprehensive case history and assesses recent blood test results. They note that the patients is presenting with a dysfunctional thyroid and they know that this impacts iron absorption, so they prescribe targeted supplements (e.g. selenium) at a therapeutic dose to help manage the thyroid. They also change the patient’s everyday supplementation to every other day, as they understand the workings of hepcidin and its impact on iron absorption - this recommendation goes against the “take one tablet daily” recommendation that is written on the label.

CPNs see “nutrition as medicine”.

This is a unique modality focus of the CPN profession. While many others modify the diet to fit the disease, CPNs use the diet as a tool to manage, support and improve the disease. CPNs are specifically trained with this perspective in their clinical training, making a CPN uniquely positioned to help their patients in a personalised and targeted manner.

Why Choose a CPN?

It’s really a matter of personal preference and the specific health goals and needs of the patient. Often, choosing a healthcare professional is about finding someone that hears you and validates your experience.

My recommendation is to first look at those professions you’re interested in and see the similarities and differences between them. Then, make a list of those that are particularly keen on your areas of interest. Finally, reach other to them and see what they say. You can often get a vibe for what someone is like from a first interaction and how they respond to inquiries. Definitely take into consideration that very busy practitioners may not have the capacity to respond personally to everyone, but there are many others, such as myself, that like dedicating this time to establishing some form of report first, before the first appointment.

You can look at the option to work with me or send me an inquiry directly to my inbox by following the link here. Or, sign up to my mailing list below - I promise not to spam you!