Kaitlyn Franken began searching for a private practice where she could complete the internship required for her Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida. That search—an essential step toward becoming a health specialist—turned out to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when she interviewed with Dee Harris, owner of D-Signed Nutrition in Bonita Springs.

“I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do with my degree, but when I took a nutrition course, I felt genuinely passionate about it,” Franken recalls. “I decided my internship should be in the private practice of dietitians as opposed to a clinical registered dietitian training in a hospital setting. When I interviewed with Dee, she said, ‘We’re actually functional medicine dietitians.’ I was perplexed because I had no idea what that meant.”

That conversation changed everything. “Dee completely shifted my perspective on health. I was captivated by her explanation of functional medicine—reviewing bloodwork, stool testing, hormones, lifestyle, food quality, and even what people put into and onto their bodies. I remember leaving her office feeling so excited about what I would learn from someone so knowledgeable,” says Franken.

After four months as an intern, Harris hired her. “Those months affirmed that I wanted to specialize in functional medicine and nutrition. I went on to earn my Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. I completed the fully remote program while working virtually in Dee’s office for two years. After graduation, I became a Certified Nutrition Specialist through the American Nutrition Association and a Florida Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist.”

A natural fit for the D-Signed Nutrition team, Franken channels her passion and expertise into supporting gastric health, detoxification, and the impacts of post-bacterial and viral gut infections. She is committed to helping clients achieve optimal well-being through personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans, including guidance on creating low-toxicity living and working environments to reduce inflammation and overall toxic burden. Through comprehensive functional and conventional testing and in-depth assessments, she develops individualized meal, supplement, and lifestyle strategies for those seeking vibrant health or relief from persistent medical challenges.

Franken’s work centers on telehealth—an approach that provides convenience, accessibility, and flexibility. “Clients can complete their bloodwork wherever they live using LabCorp, which is practically everywhere in Florida. I send a requisition, they schedule the appointment, and LabCorp sends the results directly to us,” she explains. “Some people really appreciate not having to come into the office, especially if they travel a lot to their homes in other states as this does not interrupt our care. For functional medicine stool tests to further assess gut health by looking at pathogen load, digestion markers and more, along with urine hormone metabolite testing, I place an order, and our different specialized lab companies ship the kits to the client’s home. Once the tests are completed, we receive their reports by email. Everything we do is designed for the convenience of our clients—they don’t have to leave the comfort of their home.”

D-Signed Nutrition is located at 3531 Bonita Bay Blvd. in Bonita Springs. For more information call 239-676-5249. Visit D-SignedNutrition.com.

D-Signed Nutrition, LLC - 3531 Bonita Bay Blvd, Ste 300, Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Bay Executive CenterMedical Nutrition Therapy and health coaching that personalizes your program to restore health and wellness. Improve digestion, elimination, brain health, immun... Read More »