About Leona

Over the past fifteen years, Leona has dedicated her expertise to assisting thousands of individuals in reclaiming their health and well-being by adopting a food-first approach to meet their goals. With a wide clientele spanning around the corner, across the country, and around the world, she has been the go-to nutritionist for Los Angeles industry leaders, CEOs, celebrities, and athletes.

Leona conducts mostly virtual appointments to cater to her clients’ schedules and also offers some in-person appointments in Santa Monica, CA. Her unique skill set has made her the preferred nutritionist in Los Angeles for local residents, families, as well as medical professionals in Southern California who seek her distinct and thoughtful food-as-medicine approach for themselves and their patients.

Leona places great value on traditional modalities that prioritize holistic care, seamlessly integrating this approach with state-of-the-art functional and nutritional lab testing to provide a truly personalized approach. Her observations have shown that even the simplest adjustments to one’s diet and lifestyle can yield significant and positive transformations, affecting both physical and mental well-being, and ultimately enhancing all aspects of life.

Leona is a seasoned family practitioner and a trained Integrative Functional Nutritionist. She obtained her certification in Nutritional Medicine and Herbal Medicine from The American University of Complementary Medicine, located in Los Angeles. During her studies, she had the privilege of learning under the guidance of Diana Noland, MPH, RD, CCN, DIFM, an esteemed faculty member of the Institute for Functional Medicine. Additionally, Leona has spent over a decade immersed in the field of Functional Medicine, undertaking comprehensive training through The Institute of Functional Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She holds additional certifications in functional endocrinology and functional lab analysis from the University of Bridgeport, taught by Dr. Datis Kharrazian of the Kharrazian Institute. Moreover, Leona is a Certified Functional Medicine Coach, receiving her training and certification from The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy in collaboration with The Institute of Functional Medicine.

DNA made out of food on a plate In addition to her extensive credentials, Leona is also certified in Culinary Nutrition by The Academy of Culinary Nutrition and holds a certification in Nutrigenomic Medicine from Dietitians of Canada. She is a certified Personal Trainer recognized by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Furthermore, Leona is a DONA International-certified Birth Doula and a certified First Line Therapy practitioner, specializing in personalized lifestyle medicine through, Metagenetics. Continuously captivated by the transformative power of food and the human body’s innate ability to heal, Leona is dedicated to keeping up to date with the latest advancements in nutrition science, functional medicine, as well as developments in nutrigenomics, fertility, and regenerative agriculture. Leona enjoys spending her time creating food-as-medicine in her own kitchen! On the weekends Leona can often be spotted with her family at the local farmers markets, or tending to her own garden. Leona helps her clients cut through the many conflicting trends and get to the heart of what is key for their own health, in a practical, positive, and supportive space.

Leona collaborates with Lotus Integrative Medicine Santa Monica and Southern California Integrative Wellness Center.

Leona’s Personal Story

At sixteen years old, I experienced a severe case of mononucleosis, common among teenagers. However, my symptoms worsened over weeks and months, rather than improving. Months later, I dealt with substantial weight gain, skin rashes, acne, IBS, extreme exhaustion, brain fog, excruciating full-body pain, and an irregular menstrual cycle. Also, scans showed an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit, and my doctor recommended immediate surgery. I was also diagnosed with activated autoimmune markers, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

I was prescribed pain meds, antidepressants, and birth control, but these medications did little to make me feel any better, I felt very scared and lost.

For the first time in my life, out of sheer desperation, I examined my health with a holistic perspective, I realized that my diet was absolutely horrible and had been for years, I was living off of cheese, bread, candy, and soda. Desperate for improvement, I delved into nutrition, devouring books on the subject, alongside other natural health and mind-body medicine resources.

I slowly started to change my diet and eventually, I went all in. I changed to a 100% organic diet and made homemade fermented foods like Kombucha in my family kitchen well over a decade before these things would even become more common health trends. I started eating for my health. I explored the impact my emotional and mental health had on my pain and adopted mind-body practices. I also applied herbal remedies to support my cycle and hormonal health.

One by one, symptoms I’d endured for well over a year fell away, including the ovarian cyst which led to my surgery being canceled. The cyst had vanished.

This early experience transformed my life, and my health, and reshaped my mindset, I discovered the power of food, natural living, and the remarkable influence the mind has over the body, all before the age of eighteen, and I never looked back. My adult life, personally and professionally, has always been rooted in and informed by prioritizing health and wellness, natural living, natural healing, and the power of food.

Leona is the best health care professional I have ever consulted.

Greta H.

West Hills

Leona is absolutely brilliant and makes the process a truly enjoyable experience!

Laura L.

Santa Monica, CA

Leona is the most knowledgeable person you can find in the field of nutrition!

Pedro U.

Los Angeles, CA

All I can say is that Leona pretty much saved my life!

Conrad R.

Los Angeles, CA