The Institute
of
Holistic Nutrition
- 1-800-939-9776
- 1-800-939-9776
The Institute
of
Holistic Nutrition
The primary goal of this course is designed to equip nutrition practitioners with the foundational skills to understand and use the cutting edge field of personalized, precision health. You’ll leave with the knowledge and skills to confidently interpret any genetic test results and transform them into clear, actionable strategies that create measurable impact in your clients’ lives.
You’ll learn how genes function as the body’s instruction manual, how they influence biochemistry, and how the nutrition and supplement plans along with lifestyle choices suggested in your protocols can turn genes on or off to truly optimize health and shape longevity.
Even if you choose not to work directly with genetics, this course will deepen your understanding of how genes impact health and wellbeing, giving you valuable insights into your clients’ concerns and helping you better support their overall wellness.
Whether you choose to specialize in genetics or simply want to expand your clinical depth, this course will empower you with a new lens to understand how genetic testing and epigenetic factors can sharpen your protocols and validate your recommendations by uncovering the genetic influence behind your clients’ chronic conditions or their wish to enhance their personal health blueprint for optimal wellness.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
1) Using Nutrigenomics within Personalized Nutrition by Anne Pemberton – strongly recommended
It is explicitly written as a practitioner’s guide, aimed at using genetic testing with clients in the wider context of functional/personalized nutrition. It covers background to nutrigenomics testing, assimilation, biotransformation/elimination, nutrient metabolism genes, neurodegenerative disease genes, and practitioner competencies. Available on Amazon, U of T or Elsevier
2) Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics by De Caterina, Martinez, Kohlmeier – optional
This is a substantial Elsevier reference text from 2020, 566 pages, from major academic names and a major scientific publisher and it contains some of the foundational studies and articles in the field. Available on Amazon or Elsevier.
3) The Genomic Kitchen by Amanda Archibald – supplemental/optional
For enrichment for understanding food-first application and client-facing translation. Available on Amazon.
4) Fix Your Genes to Fit Your Jeans by Penny Kendall-Reed & Stephen Reed – supplemental/optional
For metabolic-health translation and consumer-facing communication and clinical application. Available on Amazon.
Caroline (Carol-een) is a Functional Holistic Nutritionist & Certified Nutritional Practitioner, graduating with first-class honours from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and trained in Functional Medicine as well as Functional Genomics. For nearly a decade, she has focused her clinical practice in functional genomics, continually advancing her expertise through ongoing training, mentorship, and research. Caroline has worked with leading genetic companies, providing consultations, and supporting clients in understanding their unique genetic profiles.
• Develop a solid understanding of basic cellular and molecular biology, including how nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) regulate homeostasis and how changes in nucleic acids impact cell function. Gain insight into epigenetics and how it influences gene expression to shape health outcomes.
• Deep dive into nutritional genomics, fitness genetics, and the genetics of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular, while also exploring pathways tied to detoxification, hormonal balance, neurotransmitter synthesis, and resilience.
• Learn how to work with genetic testing results with skill and authority but also how to communicate findings to clients, using a framework that integrates science and strategy, from cellular and whole-systems thinking to translate previously “hidden” data into transformative health plans.
• Gain insight to understand client variability and learn why two people with similar symptoms may respond differently to well-established healing diets and supplement protocols and needing completely different approaches.
After completing this course, students should have general proficiency in the following:.
• Demonstrate how genetic variation shapes dietary needs, nutrient metabolism, fitness response, weight regulation, cardiovascular function, detoxification, gut–brain health, bone integrity, and hormonal balance. Then connect those insights to epigenetic modifiers such as breathwork and meditation, hormesis (heat/cold, fasting, exercise), circadian rhythm and light exposure, environmental inputs, and Blue Zones–inspired lifestyle habits to design practical, personalized interventions.
• Apply genetic testing within a clear, systematic framework to create personalized health plans that optimize client outcomes with a higher degree of precision and effectiveness.
• Integrate genetic data with a client’s terrain, symptoms, nutrition, and lifestyle factors, viewing genes as part of a whole interconnected system rather than isolated pathways.
• Replace generalized recommendations with targeted, strategic approaches, removing guesswork from nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.
• Gain a deep understanding of epigenetics, how lifestyle, environment, nutrition, stress, and mindset influence gene expression, and learn to design recommendations that support optimal genetic pathways, supporting healing, resilience, and long-term vitality.
• Expand your clinical capacity and deepen client trust combining genetic and epigenetic insights to develop dynamic, evolving health strategies that adapt to the client’s unique biology and changing needs over time.
DATE: Tuesday September 1
This module will help build a foundational understanding of DNA biology, genetics, functional genomics, nutrient-gene interaction, and gene expression.
Core concepts include:
DATE: Tuesday September 8
This module examines how genetic variations influence hunger signals, satiety, adiponectin, and dopamine-driven reward pathways.
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will have strategies to personalize nutrition including macronutrient ratios, meal timing, and supplementation tailored to individual metabolic profiles, creating precise and effective interventions.
DATE: Tuesday September 15
This module explores how genetics influence cellular repair, detoxification pathways, hormone synthesis and regulation, and mitochondrial energy production
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will understand how environmental toxins, lifestyle factors, and targeted strategies can shift these pathways to support cellular function, energy production, repair, and longevity.
DATE: Tuesday September 22
This module highlights the central role of methylation as a key epigenetic process, influencing detoxification, neurotransmitter balance, and immune regulation.
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will be able to integrate these insights into a systematic, gene-informed approach for improving resilience and restoring balance across multiple systems.
DATE: Tuesday September 29
This module explores the genetic pathways that influence mental wellbeing, cognitive performance, and behavioural responses.
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will be equipped to integrate genetic insights into your practice to support brain health, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive optimization.
Evaluation covering Sessions 1–4 will be provided at the end of this class and is due at the beginning of Session 6 (will not be a case study, short answer and multiple choice)
DATE: Tuesday October 6
This module examines the genetic pathways that influence cardiovascular and vascular health, with a focus on identifying key genetic variations that affect heart function, blood vessel integrity, and circulatory resilience.
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will be able to identify cardiovascular-related genetic markers and integrate them with client health and epigenetics influences such as diet, exercise and toxin exposure to create personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement protocols aimed at supporting heart and vascular health, while addressing the root causes of dysfunction.
DATE: Tuesday October 13
This module explores the genetic factors that influence physical performance, recovery, injury risk, and bone integrity.
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will be equipped to integrate genomics into exercise and musculoskeletal health planning, helping clients optimize performance, support recovery, and maintain strong, healthy bones as they age.
DATE: Tuesday October 20
This module integrates everything learned through the lens of health span optimization and the hallmarks of aging.
Core concepts include:
By the end of this module, you will be equipped to integrate genomics into exercise and musculoskeletal health planning, helping clients optimize performance, support recovery, and maintain strong, healthy bones as they age.
DATE: Tuesday October 27
In this final module, you will integrate everything learned throughout the course to confidently apply genetic insights in practice. We focus on polygenic, systems-based interpretation, bringing together genetics, epigenetics, and cultural considerations into a cohesive practice framework.
Through detailed case studies, you will learn how to:
This module emphasizes clinical decision-making, including how to communicate findings to clients, set realistic goals, and create personalized, actionable health plans.
By the end of this module, you will have the skills to:
• Confidently work with genetic testing across a wide range of health concerns.
• Move beyond theory into practical, client-centered genomics application.
• Apply a holistic, precision-based framework that combines epigenetics, genetics, biochemistry, and lifestyle interventions and modern precision tools, to support outcomes.
To discuss a variety of testing options, that are affordable all the while being comprehensive, as well as access to preferred practitioner pricing, contact Caroline at carolinesabbahnutrition@gmail.com
If your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend classes in real time, join us through recordings. Many of our Continuing Education students are busy practitioners and professionals, balancing work, family and other commitments so we understand that flexibility is necessary. Replay access and completion options are arranged on a case-by-case basis to ensure you still receive the full educational value of the course and have engagement with the faculty member and other registrants. You also have the option to earn the Certificate of Completion if you’re able to complete the required test or assignment by the due dates.
If you’re interested in accessing replays or exploring flexible participation options with your schedule, please contact Julia Briski at julia@instituteofholisticnutrition.com for more information.
THE DAY BEFORE the course starts registered students will receive an email with LINKS to:
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