Nutrition Program in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

What Does Our Nutrition Program Include?

At Science Based Wellness & Chiropractic, our approach takes a comprehensive, science-based approach to evaluating your nutritional status, health, lifestyle, and individual wellness goals.

Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, our program uses extensive laboratory testing, body composition analysis, health history, nutrition evaluation, and one-on-one consultation with Dr. Nickels to provide a more complete picture of your health.

Your results are reviewed and interpreted by Dr. Nickels, who uses the information to develop personalized dietary, nutritional, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations.

Comprehensive Laboratory Testing

Depending on your individual needs, our program may include up to 184 extensive laboratory tests through LabCorp. Results are reviewed using optimal values in addition to standard clinical reference ranges to provide a more detailed assessment.

Testing may include:

• Heavy metal testing, including evaluation of elements such as mercury, lead, aluminum, and other metals, as well as mineral levels
• Testing to evaluate areas such as kidney and liver function
• Testing related to blood sugar and diabetes risk
• Evaluation for certain infections and other health concerns
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) to evaluate for blood in the gastrointestinal tract that may not be visible to the naked eye
• Cardiovascular risk ratios
• Other laboratory testing based on your individual health history and needs

Body Composition Analysis

Your evaluation also includes an evaluation of body composition, which may include:

• Body fat percentage
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Lean body mass
• Evaluation of muscle-to-fat composition
• Discussion of healthy and appropriate body composition ranges

Understanding body composition provides additional information beyond weight alone and can help us establish realistic health and fitness goals.

One-on-One Consultation With Dr. Nickels

Your personalized care includes personalized, confidential consultations with Dr. Nickels.

During your initial and follow-up visits, Dr. Nickels reviews your health information, laboratory results, nutrition, lifestyle, and wellness goals to help develop an individualized plan.

You will receive a written report that includes:

• Laboratory interpretations
• Analysis of your results
• Personalized recommendations
• Dietary and lifestyle recommendations
• Supplement recommendations when appropriate
• “The Plan” outlining recommended next steps

Diet, Lifestyle & Toxic Exposure Evaluation

As part of your evaluation, we review your dietary habits and lifestyle factors. You may also complete a diet diary and toxic exposure evaluation.

This information can help identify nutritional and lifestyle factors that may need to be addressed and whether additional support, including detoxification or liver-support strategies, may be appropriate.

Medication & Nutrient-Drug Depletion Evaluation

We also evaluate medications and potential nutrient-drug interactions or nutrient depletions when appropriate.

This information can help identify nutritional considerations that may be relevant to your overall wellness plan.

Additional Testing That May Be Recommended

Not every patient needs every available test. Based on your health history, goals, symptoms, and initial laboratory results, additional testing may be recommended when appropriate.

Additional testing may include:

• Cancer marker testing when clinically appropriate
• Urinary Estronex testing for additional breast cancer risk assessment
• Saliva hormone testing
• Individual blood tests as needed
• Genomics and genetic testing to provide information about inherited risk factors associated with certain health conditions

These tests are not initially included in every program and are recommended based on individual circumstances.

Comprehensive, Science-Based Testing

Our approach uses extensive diagnostic testing and individualized analysis to provide additional insight into your nutritional status and overall health.

Laboratory results may identify nutritional deficiencies, abnormal findings, or health risks that warrant further evaluation, sometimes before noticeable symptoms develop.

This information allows Dr. Nickels to develop more specific dietary, nutritional, supplemental, and lifestyle recommendations and, when appropriate, monitor changes through follow-up testing.

How Long Does the Evaluation Take?

The program is designed to give you enough time for a thorough evaluation and review of your results.

Initial Visit

Please allow approximately 60 minutes for your initial appointment.

Before your appointment, you will receive a health questionnaire by email. We ask that you complete the questionnaire before your visit so Dr. Nickels has adequate time to review your information and prepare for your evaluation.

Laboratory Results

Please allow approximately two weeks for your laboratory results and report to be completed.

Follow-Up Visit

Approximately two weeks after your initial evaluation, you will return for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Nickels.

This visit is approximately 60 minutes and is used to review your report of findings, discuss your results, answer questions, and go over your personalized recommendations.

Our office will contact you when your report is ready.

What Is Included in the Initial Evaluation?

Your initial evaluation includes a comprehensive review of your health and lifestyle.

Your Evaluation May Include:

• Extensive review of your medical history
• Nutrition and dietary history
• Lifestyle assessment
• Review of your eating habits
• Exercise and physical activity review
• Discussion of your health and fitness goals
• Body composition measurements
• Body fat and muscle analysis
• Recommendations for specialized laboratory testing
• Personalized supplement recommendations when appropriate
• Diet and lifestyle recommendations

This comprehensive approach allows us to look at multiple factors that may influence your health rather than focusing on one area alone.

Virtual Nutrition Consultations Available

Can’t make it to our Ponte Vedra Beach office? Virtual nutrition consultations are available through Zoom, allowing you to meet with Dr. Nickels remotely from the convenience of your home.

Our virtual nutrition consultations provide an opportunity to discuss your health history, nutrition goals, lifestyle, laboratory results, and personalized recommendations without needing to visit the office in person.

A Personalized Approach to Nutrition

We believe your evaluation should be as individual as you are.

There is no single diet, supplement, or lifestyle plan that works exactly the same way for everyone. By combining your health history, nutrition and lifestyle information, body composition, laboratory testing, and personal goals, we can create recommendations that are specific to your needs.

Our goal is to give you information you can use to make informed decisions about your nutrition and overall wellness.

We can also monitor your progress and, when appropriate, use follow-up testing to evaluate changes over time.

How Much Does the Program Cost?

Our program includes comprehensive testing and evaluation designed to provide information that can help identify potential health concerns, nutritional needs, and opportunities to improve your overall wellness.

Health insurance companies typically do not cover many preventive wellness services or comprehensive nutritional evaluations. We provide receipts that may be useful for tax purposes or HSA accounts, depending on your individual circumstances.

We accept:

• Cash
• Checks
• Major credit cards

Please see our price list for available program package plans and à la carte pricing.

Why Doesn’t Our Program Accept Medical Insurance?

Science Based Wellness & Chiropractic operates differently from a traditional insurance-based medical practice.

When a medical practice participates with health insurance networks, providers agree to contracts that determine which services may be covered and establish reimbursement amounts for those services.

Many insurance plans focus primarily on services related to diagnosing and treating medical conditions rather than comprehensive preventive wellness and individualized nutritional care.

Our approach allows us to spend more time with our patients and provide a more comprehensive evaluation without being restricted by insurance-based time and reimbursement requirements.

More Time for Personalized Care

Our approach is designed to provide the time necessary to review your health history, discuss your goals, evaluate your results, and develop individualized recommendations.

Dr. Nickels is passionate about providing personalized wellness care and believes patients deserve the time and attention necessary to understand their health and make informed decisions.

Because of this approach, Science Based Wellness & Chiropractic does not participate in medical insurance networks for these services.

Please note: Dr. Nickels does not profit from the sale of laboratory testing. Patients are paying for his time, expertise, interpretation of their results, and the personalized recommendations provided as part of their care.

What Should I Expect From My Personalized Plan?

A successful approach to nutrition requires commitment and consistency.

Following Dr. Nickels’ customized recommendations as directed gives you the best opportunity to achieve your individual wellness goals.

Be patient with yourself and give your body time to respond to healthy changes. For many people, meaningful improvements require consistent nutrition and lifestyle changes over a period of several months.

Our goal is not to provide a quick fix. It is to give you the information, guidance, and personalized recommendations you need to make lasting improvements to your health and wellness.

Start Your Personalized Nutrition Care in Ponte Vedra Beach

If you’re looking for a comprehensive nutrition program in Ponte Vedra Beach, Science Based Wellness & Chiropractic provides personalized nutrition guidance supported by extensive laboratory testing, body composition analysis, and one-on-one consultation with Dr. Nickels.

Our approach is designed to help you better understand your health, identify areas that may need attention, and create a personalized plan for nutrition and wellness.

Contact Science Based Wellness & Chiropractic today to learn more about our nutrition program and schedule your initial evaluation.