Christine Cherpak-Castagna DCN, CNS, CDN, LDN, BCFWP, CIHC, INHC
About:
Dr. Christine Cherpak-Castagna is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist, Board Certified Functional Wellness Practitioner, Cell Blueprint Pro Practitioner, 3X4 Genetics Practitioner, and Certified International Health Coach.
As a practicing Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, she has a strong background in integrative clinical nutrition and a passion for educating individuals on healthful living through nutrition. Dr. Cherpak-Castagna was educated from an integrative and functional framework, allowing her to provide whole-person, relationship-centered healthcare. The foundational principles of interconnections, holism, transformation, diversity and resilience underscore Dr. Cherpak-Castagna’s commitment to facilitate optimal nutrition and health—attending to one’s whole body, including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms, as opposed to a body composed of parts in need of “fixing.” Leveraging the science of functional nutrition, mindset techniques and lifestyle upgrades, Dr. Cherpak-Castagna empowers clients to resolve their health issues. Her specific expertise is women’s wellness, gastrointestinal and immune health, nutritional biochemistry and nutrigenomics.
Dr. Cherpak-Castagna has an extensive science and research background, as well as teaching experience on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is recognized for effectively communicating complex course materials, embodying a strong healing presence, deep capacity for listening, and the ability to mitigate retention issues. Additionally, Dr. Cherpak-Castagna is a professional collaborator and subject matter expert in gastrointestinal, prenatal/postpartum and immune health, nutritional biochemistry and nutrigenomics. She has demonstrated a record of research and publishing excellence, including collaborative publications of numerous articles in top-tier academic journals.
Dr. Cherpak-Castagna lives in Long Island, New York. She embraces watching the sunrise or sunset throughout the four seasons. Some of Dr. Cherpak-Castagna’s favorite moments are spent walking on the beach with her husband and daughter, doing yoga, laughing with family and friends, visiting art museums, and viewing a rehearsal ballet at The Juilliard School. Passionate about giving back to her community and helping others, Dr. Cherpak-Castagna founded a 501(c)3 non-profit, cooks and donates meals for the homeless through the Family Service League, and serves on various ministries at her church.
Education:
- Maryland University of Integrative Health (Doctor of Clinical Nutrition)
- Stony Brook University (Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies with a concentration in Gender, Sexuality, and Public Health; Cohort Fellow, The Honors College, Interdisciplinary Honors Program)
Classes Teaching:
Dr. Cherpak-Castagna teaches Nutrition Across the Lifecycle 1: Adolescence, Adulthood and Older Age; Clinical Applications II: Chronic Disease.
Publications:
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES:
“Cross-sectional survey of graduate clinical nutrition students describing dietary choices and recommendations” (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2021)
“Parkinson’s disease: possible mechanisms for nutritional approaches” (Journal of Restorative Medicine, 2020)
“Mechanisms of nickel-induced cell damage in allergic contact dermatitis and nutritional intervention strategies” (Endocrine, Metabolic, Immune Disorders and Drug Targets, 2020)
“Menstrual cycle fluctuations of progesterone and the effect on sleep regulation” (Journal of Restorative Medicine, 2019)
“Mindful eating: a review of how the stress-digestion-mindfulness triad may modulate and improve gastrointestinal and digestive function” (Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 2019)
PEER-REVIEWED ABSTRACTS/POSTER PRESENTATIONS:
“Study design to validate an evidence-based medicine skills assessment for integrative health” (Published abstract and poster presented at: Maryland University of Integrative Health Research Symposium 2021; April 9-16, 2021; Laurel, MD)
“Cross-sectional survey of graduate clinical nutrition students describing dietary choices and recommendations” (Published abstract and poster presented at: Maryland University of Integrative Health Research Symposium 2020; April 3, 2020; Laurel, MD)
“Mechanisms of nickel-induced cell damage in allergic contact dermatitis and nutritional intervention strategies” (Published abstract and poster presented at: Integrative Healthcare Symposium 2020; February 20-22, 2020; New York, NY)
“Spontaneous rupture of membranes and labor induction with oral castor oil: a case report” (Published abstract and poster presented at: Maryland University of Integrative Health Research Symposium 2019; April 5, 2019; Laurel, MD)
“A theoretical/historical analysis of Disability Studies and its contribution to other categories of identity including race, class, religion, ethnicity, and sexuality” (Published abstract and poster presented at: URECA Undergraduate Research Symposium; April 25, 2007; Stony Brook, NY)
“A novel staffing approach to address patient satisfaction in the Emergency Department” (Academic Emergency Medicine, 2005)
Professional Associations:
American Nutrition Association