What is a CCN?

A CCN is a board Certified Clinical Nutritionist. The primary service provided by a CCN is educational; to optimize the experience of health through enhanced nutrition. It has been said through the ages that knowledge is power. Thus the primary objective of the clinical nutritionist is to approach health enrichment by increasing client knowledge and understanding of nutritional principles. A CCN’s role is to educate and empower individual choices for optimizing health.

The discipline of Human Clinical Nutrition applies principles derived from current biochemical and physiological scientific knowledge for the purpose of promoting optimal health. While recognizing biochemical individuality, the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) assesses a person’s nutritional needs to achieve normal physiological function. Assessment includes the use of appropriate tests and observations such as case history, anthropomorphic measurements, physical signs, laboratory tests, and nutrition/lifestyle analysis to determine an educational nutrition program. Assessment also provides the basis for referral to a licensed physician, or other health care professional.

CCN’s are trained to interpret and utilize certain noninvasive laboratory and non-laboratory tests and other evaluation techniques designed to assist in nutritional assessment. They have an understanding of nutrition biochemistry that enables them to competently assess and evaluate signs of nutritional deficiency or imbalance, through the use of specific foods, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other food substances as necessary to maintain optimal health.