Course
25

Supplements

Overview
Build safe, effective supplement plans by matching deficiencies and symptoms to evidence‑based bioavailable nutrients, co-factors and timing.
Format
Online
Units
11
Recommended for
  • Detoxification
  • Inflammation
  • Hormonal management
  • Digestive function
  • Energy improvement
Supplements

The learning framework

1
Why supplementation is frequently misused
Supplementation can be one of the most misused tools in health practice,often applied without sequence, context, clinical justification, or consideration of scope,resulting in excessive protocols that create dependency, mask underlying dysfunction, overwhelm clients financially and logistically, and fail to address root causes while potentially causing nutrient imbalances, adverse interactions, or wasted resources.
2
The problem with protocol dumping
Most practitioners lack training in supplement form and bioavailability, dosing precision, nutrient interactions, phasing based on Priority Order of Dysfunction, quality assessment, documentation requirements, monitoring protocols, or recognising when supplementation is inappropriate,leading to "protocol dumping" where clients receive 15+ supplements without clear rationale, sequence, or exit strategy, creating confusion, poor adherence, and suboptimal outcomes.
3
A structured framework for responsible supplementation
The Supplements module trains you to select and phase nutrients based on bioavailability, physiological need, clinical context, and evidence,building structured, lean, purpose-driven protocols that enhance foundational care, support specific therapeutic goals, include clear documentation and monitoring, and avoid dependency, excess, or inappropriate application outside professional scope.

What you'll learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
Understand supplement form, bioavailability, and quality
Differentiating between chelated minerals, amino acid chelates, liposomal delivery, micellised forms, and standard forms, recognising how form affects absorption, tolerance, and efficacy,assessing excipient quality and avoiding fillers, allergens, and low-quality formulations.
Differentiate between precursors and active compounds
Understanding when to provide building blocks versus direct supplementation, recognising NAC versus glutathione, methylfolate versus folic acid, and when endogenous production capacity determines supplement choice.
Apply the Priority Order of Dysfunction to supplement sequencing
Ensuring foundational systems are addressed before advanced supplementation, avoiding premature detoxification support, methylation protocols, or mitochondrial interventions when gut, blood sugar, or stress regulation require priority.
Understand vitamin D supplementation and cofactor requirements
Recognising vitamin D's roles beyond bone health, optimal dosing based on testing, and essential cofactors including magnesium, vitamin K2, and calcium for safe, effective supplementation.
Apply targeted nutrients for specific therapeutic goals
Understanding applications for Calcium D-glucarate in estrogen metabolism, Curcumin for inflammation, Vitex for progesterone support, Boron for hormone and bone health, TUDCA for bile flow and liver support, CoQ10 for mitochondrial and cardiovascular function, and PQQ for mitochondrial biogenesis.
Support metabolic and mitochondrial function strategically
Using glucose disposal agents, antioxidants, and bile flow support once foundational stability is achieved, recognising these as supportive rather than foundational interventions.
Assess nutrient interactions and contraindications
Understanding competitive mineral absorption, medication-nutrient interactions, conditions requiring medical supervision before supplementation, and when supplementation is contraindicated.
Document supplement protocols with clear rationale
Recording clinical reasoning, dosing, form, timing, expected outcomes, monitoring plans, and phased reduction strategies,maintaining professional standards and legal protection.
Monitor outcomes and adjust protocols
Tracking symptom changes, retesting biomarkers, logging adverse events, recognising when supplements should be reduced or discontinued, and avoiding long-term dependency.
Build lean, evidence-based supplement protocols
Prioritising food-first approaches, supplementing only when clinically indicated, using the minimum effective dose and duration, and creating clear exit strategies.

Why this matters

The ability to create targeted, effective protocols
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Rather than generic supplement stacks, you'll design precise interventions based on individual need and clinical context.
Confidence in form, dosing, and interactions
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You'll know which forms are superior, appropriate dosing ranges, and how to avoid adverse interactions.
Better client outcomes and adherence
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Lean, purpose-driven protocols are more affordable, sustainable, and effective than overwhelming supplement lists.
Professional credibility and legal protection
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Proper documentation, rationale, and monitoring demonstrate competence and maintain scope compliance.
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Supplementation
Supplement Protocols
Nutraceuticals
Bioavailability
Chelated Minerals
Liposomal Delivery
Vitamin D
Calcium D-Glucarate
Curcumin
TUDCA
Your path to becoming a Certified Practitioner

How to get started

1st Step
Submit your Application
Apply online in just a few minutes. Our team will review your experience, education and goals to ensure this certification aligns with your professional path.
2nd Step
Join the IOH community
Once accepted, you’ll gain instant access to our global network of practitioners, mentors and resources that support your learning from day one.
3rd Step
Begin your first module
Start your studies inside the IOH learning portal — with guided mentorship, live calls, and access to the Oracle AI system that turns knowledge into action.

Expand your knowledge

All Courses
What does an Integrative Nutritional Therapist do?
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An Integrative Nutritional Therapist utilises the latest evidence-based research to create an integrative approach to optimising each client’s health and wellbeing.

They design bio-individual nutrition plans, personalise supplementation where appropriate, and interpret functional laboratory data, including blood work, to gain deeper insights, achieve better accuracy and tailor every intervention to the individual.

How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?
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Conventional medicine often waits until a disease is clearly present before intervention begins. Treatment is focused on managing or suppressing a diagnosed condition.

Functional medicine looks upstream. It assesses the early drivers of dysfunction and works to prevent disease from developing in the first place, or restore balance in the body. It uses a whole-systems view of the body, then applies personalised, preventative nutrition and lifestyle interventions to support long-term health rather than only reacting once things have gone wrong.

What will be my scope of practice after completing this certification?
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After completing the certification, you will be recognised and insured as a Integrative Nutritional Therapist inclusive of Nutritional Therapy and Functional Blood Work, with a clearly defined scope of practice.

You will be trained and insured to:

  • Design bio-individual nutrition plans
  • Recommend and prescribe over-the-counter supplementation up to safe, optimal intake thresholds
  • Utilise functional blood work from a wellness perspective to guide your reasoning and recommendations
  • Collaborate with and refer to medical professionals when red flags, pathology or out-of-scope conditions are identified

Our scope of practice has been aligned with nutritional therapy standards and externally audited, so you can work with confidence and clarity.

Is your course accredited?
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Yes. Our certifications are accredited by multiple independent professional bodies, including the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) and the Complementary Medical Association (CMA).

To receive these accreditations, our curriculum undergoes forensic external auditing to ensure every component is up to date, evidence-informed, ethically delivered and aligned with recognised Nutritional Therapy and Functional Health standards. This includes rigorous evaluation of our academic content, assessments, delivery methods and scope of practice frameworks.

This external oversight gives you confidence that the qualification you are investing in is credible, robust and widely recognised within the industry, with clear pathways for insurance, professional membership and global practice.

Will I be able to practise internationally?
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Yes. Our graduates are eligible for insurance through IICT that is recognised across 36 countries, including:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom.

This allows you to work with clients internationally, including in online practice, provided you respect local regulations and the scope of practice defined by your insurer and professional associations.

Need help?
Get in touch with us
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