About

Francesca Orlando, DSc, MS, BCHN®, NBC-HWC, NTP, CGP

Functional & Integrative Nutrition Specialist

Dr. Francesca Orlando is a functional and integrative nutritionist dedicated to helping individuals restore balance, resilience, and vitality through a personalized, evidence-based approach to healing. With over 15 years of clinical experience, she blends advanced nutritional science with compassionate, root-cause-oriented care to support complex health conditions and optimize long-term wellness.

Dr. Orlando holds a Doctor of Science in Integrative Health and a Master of Science in Integrative Nutrition. Her doctoral research focused on non-pharmacological sleep interventions for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, while her earlier graduate work examined genetic mechanisms in the developing fetus influenced by maternal nutrition—reflecting her commitment to understanding how nutrition impacts the body at every stage of life.

My Practice and Background

In her practice, Dr. Orlando integrates insights from nutritional biochemistry, functional medicine, pathology, and lifestyle science to uncover the underlying drivers of imbalance. She considers the full terrain of health—nutrition, inflammation, environment, genetics, and emotional well-being—to design tailored protocols that empower clients to reclaim their energy, focus, and confidence in their bodies.

Dr. Orlando is Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN), Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition® (BCHN®) and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). She is also a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) and a Certified GAPS Practitioner (CGP), bringing a unique integrative lens to both preventive and restorative care.

Beyond her clinical work, she serves on the faculty at the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), mentoring future practitioners in the art and science of integrative nutrition.

Rooted in science and guided by compassion, Dr. Orlando’s mission is to bridge research and real-world healing—helping every client feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Licenses

LDN license Maryland DX7973
CNS certificate 19198

What Is A Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)?

A Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) is an advanced, accredited credential for professionals practicing personalized, science-based medical nutrition therapy. CNS professionals hold Master’s or Doctoral degrees, complete 1,000 hours of supervised experience, and pass a rigorous examination to address root causes of chronic health conditions.

Key Aspects of a CNS:

  • Expertise: They utilize personalized nutrition, which considers an individual’s unique biochemistry, to create tailored nutrition interventions.
  • Requirements: Candidates must have a graduate degree (MS/PhD) in nutrition or a related field, complete 1,000 hours of documented, supervised, hands-on clinical experience, and pass the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) examination.
  • Scope of Practice: CNSs work in private practice, hospitals, integrative medicine clinics, and academia, focusing on nutrition assessment, intervention, and monitoring to improve health, manage chronic diseases, and provide functional, evidence-based care.
  • Accreditation: The CNS is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
  • Licensure: The CNS credential provides a pathway to state licensure for nutrition practice in many states, often distinguishing them as top-level practitioners alongside Registered Dietitians.

Difference from Other Professionals:
While Registered Dietitians (RDs) often focus on clinical nutrition in traditional hospitals, CNSs frequently specialize in functional and personalized nutrition, diving deeper into personalized nutrient needs and chronic, complex conditions.

What Is A Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)?

A Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) is a qualified nutrition professional who has met specific state-mandated education, training, and examination requirements to legally practice medical nutrition therapy and counseling. While national Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credentials define qualifications, the LDN is a state-specific license ensuring safety and expertise in nutrition care.

Key aspects of an LDN include:

  • Legal Authorization: In many states, holding an LDN is required to provide personalized nutrition counseling, particularly for medical conditions.
  • Education and Training: They typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree (with master’s requirements emerging) and have completed supervised clinical practice.
  • Scope of Practice: LDNs work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, creating medical nutrition therapies for disease management.
  • Distinction from “Nutritionist”: Unlike the unregulated title of “nutritionist,” an LDN is a regulated, recognized expert with verified credentials.

Some states may use different acronyms, such as Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (CDN) or Licensed Dietitian (LD), but all serve as state-level authorization to practice dietetics.