User:Russell Mariani/sandbox

Russell Mariani is the Director of Health Education at The Center for Functional Nutrition in South Hadley, Massachusetts. He is a Health Educator, Nutrition Counselor and Digestive Wellness expert. He has been in private practice since 1980. He has his Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University (1977), a Masters of Arts degree in Health Education from Vermont College at Norwich University (2003), and continues acquiring ongoing education credits in the area of Digestive Wellness and Integrative Health through the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Nutrition. Since 1980 he has helped thousands of people regain their health through dietary and lifestyle improvements through classes, seminars, retreats and personal consultations.

He is passionate about teaching others how to be and become more proactive in their own self-care.

Russell graduated from the Kushi Institute for International Macrobiotic Studies in 1979. He was a Macrobiotic Counselor and teacher for many years. He was a founding member of the American Shiatsu Association in 1984. The Macrobiotic approach to health has been foundational in Russell’s commitment to helping others to be and become more proactive in their own self-care. Many of the core principles and practices of what we refer to as Functional Nutrition and Functional Medicine today, have their origins in the basic Macrobiotic approach to diet and lifestyle. Generally speaking these principles and practices have to do with a deep understanding of the natural world and how the human body is part of this larger eco-system. This orientation empowers us to understand that the best foods to consume are organic whole foods similar to the ones our own ancestors prepared and consumed for thousands of years before us. This orientation also empowers us to eat locally and seasonally and to understand that when it comes to the various choices we make every day; nothing is neutral. Every choice we make is either comple-mentary to the way our body has been designed to function or it is insulting. Russell’s books and health programs explain these dynamic principles and practices in full detail and help people to integrate these transformational habits, step-by-step into their daily lives.

"My interest in natural healing and whole foods nutrition began shortly after I was mis-diagnosed with colon cancer in 1973. Within three months the doctors settled on a diagnosis of pre-cancerous Ulcerative Colitis. I was 18 years old at the time. Believing I had little time to live and no time to waste, I started on my healing journey. I sought the answers to a few questions of vital interest to me at the time: How did this happen to me? What are the root causes of digestive disease? What role does diet and nutrition play in reversing the disease process and restoring one's vitality, energy, health? The answers I found were so inspiring and helpful that I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to the continuous learning and teaching of the fundamentals of nutrition and health. And that's what I've been doing since 1980. I encourage you to contact me to explore ways in which I can assist you in your personal quest to regain, maintain and optimize your health and well-being, especially if you are suffering from any digestive system problems."

“I can tell you this: There is simply no reason for anyone to suffer from any digestive system problem if they are serious about getting better. Many people have the desire to change, they are just not sure where or how to begin. What they need is an effective coach and guide. Someone who knows first hand, the kinds of physical symptoms and personal challenges they are experiencing. Someone who has learned how and why to change their own dietary and lifestyle habits. Someone who has helped thousands of people with digestive system problems just like theirs…to get better.”

“I have been assisting others in the quest for better health through better dietary and lifestyle choices since 1980. I am experienced in working with people addressing the full range of health challenges, including all the major (and minor) forms of degenerative disease. My experiences demonstrate that the human body has an almost infinite capacity to regenerate and heal as long as we cooperate consistently. Teaching people how to cooperate with the dynamic healing systems within their own body is the essence of the work that I do. I have a particular interest in and a long history of success with the prevention and correction of digestive system imbalances. I am passionate about teaching others how to be and become more proactive in their own self-care.”