
I’m Alyssa Simpson, a Registered Dietitian specializing in gut and digestive issues.
BUT, I’m also an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Therapist. I’m dedicated to resolving the issues causing the symptoms that are bothering you, not just giving you a temporary fix. I use a combination of tools to address the root cause of your gut problems so you can finally feel better.
When you work with me, you reap the benefits of my advanced training in medical nutrition therapy, integrative and functional nutrition, specialty testing, personalized meal planning, and dietary supplementation.
My philosophy is simple. Your body craves balance, and nutritious food provides the fuel to support this desirable state. But factors in your environment and even your frame of mind can offset this delicate balance. The result is one miserable digestive system.
If you’re not familiar with Functional Medicine, it showcases nutrition as the cornerstone of TRUE WELLNESS. And the foundation of your well-being depends on your gut health.
If you’ve seen a doctor for your digestive problems, you know our current healthcare system is based on merely identifying illness and treating symptoms. But functional and integrative medicine methods show us we can truly heal by discovering and correcting our unique imbalances. So often, the root cause of illness lies in the gut, so this is where I start.
I’ll work with you to get the solutions you’re looking for and help you reset your system. And since so many processes in your body hinge on digestive health, you’ll not only get relief from symptoms; you’ll experience the advantages good gut health has on your total well-being!
Using this specialized approach, I’ve been able to restore hope and health to thousands of patients. These are people who tried doctor after doctor but were left with no answers or, even worse, were told there was nothing wrong with them.
At every virtual appointment, we’ll dig into strategies and use proven methods to correct your unique imbalances so you can truly heal.
I love seeing people finally feel relief and begin to thrive once they start working with me. I enjoy the challenge of developing sustainable nutrition plans that get real results for people living with digestive problems because I’m one of them!
About a year after starting my private practice, I developed acid reflux. Since my specialty is helping patients with digestive conditions, it was exciting to use my skills to manage my own. But what was even more eye-opening was the opportunity to see what it’s like to be in my patient’s shoes. I was able to see firsthand how stress was triggering my reflux. I also witnessed how changing my diet and lifestyle to correct imbalances transformed my health.
I’m now symptom-free and feeling better than ever. When I’m not busy with patients, you can find me spending time outdoors in the Gilbert, AZ area. An athlete at heart, I love the feel-good benefits of hiking, spoiling my dog with long walks, group exercise classes, weight lifting, and running. My young nieces also keep me on my toes!
Two very special people helped shape my interest in nutrition. The first is my mom, who I credit with teaching me to love healthy food as a child. The second is my high school cross-country and track coach, who taught me the importance of eating to fuel my performance.
I’m so grateful I get to do what I’m most passionate about – working to get people with challenging digestive issues back on track! I know you’ve tried lots of things to soothe your gut symptoms before landing on my website. Get in touch, and I’ll show you how to get control of your gut health. I can’t wait to help you get better!
I originally came to Alyssa for my stomach pain, although I also suffered from fibromyalgia, migraines, and sinus issues. Within 2 weeks into the program, the stomach pain and migraines had diminished. I have not had a migraine since, and migraines were a weekly occurrence prior to that. In addition, I no longer needed medication for sinus issues, and have completely weaned from the Lyrica that I had been taking for the Fibromyalgia. Plus as an added bonus, I have lost 15 pounds!
Prior to beginning my journey with Alyssa, I was experiencing daily bouts of incontinence and severe acid reflux. My legs were swollen, and I was suffering from daily joint and muscle pain. In just 90 days, the swelling is gone in my legs and my IBS is basically non-existent. The pain & stiffness in my joints and muscles and my ability to walk improved. I feel like Alyssa has added years to my life. She is very approachable, non-judgmental, and brilliant at what she does.
I was experiencing chronic constipation, bloating, abdominal distention, water retention, and weight gain that wouldn’t budge. Alyssa provided a comprehensive plan that calmed my system down. The combination of an appropriate nutrition plan, sensitivity testing, and SIBO treatment provided tremendous physical, and emotional, relief — it wasn’t my imagination! Something WAS off with my body and the healthy foods I had been eating were making it worse. Alyssa taught me how to eat healthy for my body and my unique needs.
My symptoms had been ignored and treated as inconsequential for my entire life. My IBS was presented as something I would just have to deal with, and I was used to being brushed off and told that there was nothing that could be done. Alyssa treated me as if she understood and could help. After working with Alyssa, I have identified most of the foods that are an issue for me and how to avoid them. I can go out now without worrying about having to leave early because of my stomach or trying to mask humiliating gas.
I was dealing with a lot of symptoms of IBS and knew that dietary changes would help. My IBS was causing daily bloating, abdominal cramping, and frequent bowel movements. I had heard the low FODMAP diet is restrictive, and I was so overwhelmed at first after reading up on it so I wanted to have professional guidance. Alyssa was amazing in how she walked me through each step. I was not only successful but it was easy. I feel so much better!!
I had seen my primary care doctor and a gastroenterologist and was not getting any better. I had bloating and uncontrollable diarrhea for over a decade. I would wake up after 8 hours of sleep feeling exhausted. I had tried medications that killed the bad bacteria in the gut, probiotics. Nothing changed. I am so glad that the gastroenterologist suggested that I see Alyssa. No more bloat, no more embarrassing diarrhea. I wake up feeling refreshed. I feel amazing. I already have recommended Alyssa to friends.
After 9 months with intense digestive issues and no solutions from my doctors, I wanted another opinion and a new way of looking for a solution. I had tried eating gluten free, soy free, dairy free, and low FODMAP. Alyssa help me create a safe list of foods and heal my gut. After a couple of months all my previous symptoms are now gone and I feel better than I did before I became ill!
Education And Experience
- B.S. in Dietetics, Arizona State University 2003
- Completion of supervised practice program, Patton State Hospital 2004
- Dietetic Registration Exam 2004
- Nutrition Coach, Lifetime Fitness 2004-2005
- Nutrition Coordinator, Adelante Healthcare 2005-2010
- Passed Certified Diabetes Educator Exam 2009
- Diabetes Health Coach, Nurtur 2010-2012
- LEAP Therapist certification 2011
- Private Practice 2012-present
- Partnered with Arizona Digestive Health since 2013
- Nutritionist at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Well & Being Spa, under Chief Medical Officer Tieraona Low Dog MD, Director of Fellowship of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, founded by Dr. Andrew Weil 2013-present
- Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy (IFMNT) Level II Certificate of Training Course 2014
- Completed Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy (IFMNT) Level III Certificate of Training Course 2015
- Trained on the use of the Low FODMAP Diet by Monash University May 2023
- Completed Certified Gastrointestinal Nutritionist Certification June 2023
Associations
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
- Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE)
- Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM)
- Central District of the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (C-AZAND)