TJ Harrington is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer, and First Line Therapist and has his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology. TJ lives in Minneapolis with his wife Lisa and three sons Collin, Nolan, and Keegan. His personal mission: To serve others and myself by using my gifts to spread love, health, and happiness throughout our beautiful world and maintain an attitude of gratitude in honor of my creator.
What Is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist?
A Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) first has to meet specific criteria to be eligible for the post-graduate studies in the clinical nutrition program (PGSCN). Those criteria include a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and 15 hours of nutrition coursework. The PGSCN includes 6 weekends of education involving herbs, homeopathy, vitamins, minerals, diet, blood/urine/stool testing, detoxification, hormones, and stress, just to name a few. Following completion of the PGSCN, a 150 question exam is administered by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) and approved by the International and American Association of Clinical Nutrition (IAACN). To maintain certification, 2 of 3 annual symposiums must be attended with re-examination every 5 years.
The Field of Human Clinical Nutrition
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 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. The educational protocol may include, among other information, nutrition/lifestyle modification, nutritive supplementation, understanding of physiological/biochemical pathways, and evoking of regenerative processes.
