Is It Value It? (2026)

Final up to date: 2026 | This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. If you enroll through my link and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll rise up to $250 off and I’ll earn a fee at no further price to you.

Hiiii pals! I hope you had a beautiful weekend and that you simply’re having fun with the morning. At present I needed to speak about one in every of my favourite subjects: IHP.

In case you’ve been following alongside right here for some time, that I’ve spent years constructing out my diet and health teaching observe and that I’m somebody who genuinely loves studying. I’ve collected quite a lot of certifications over time (Precision Diet, NASM Private Coach, Weight Loss Specialist, Ladies’s Health Specialist, Corrective Train Specialist, 200-hour yoga RYT, and extra), and every one has added one thing significant to the way in which I work with shoppers.

However there was all the time a spot.

Working with diet shoppers on-line, I stored working into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was occurring – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine problem, a mineral deficiency – and all I might do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or decoding check outcomes is just not inside the scope of observe for a diet coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my staff who might run these checks, however as my on-line observe grew, I needed to have the ability to do that work myself.

That’s what led me to the Integrative Well being Practitioner (IHP) certification, and after finishing each Degree 1 and Degree 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, persevering with training, and a few very difficult checks later), I may give you a radical, sincere image of what to anticipate.

Fascinated with Enrolling? Start Here.

Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Degree 1, or $250 off each ranges.

IHP Certification Evaluate: What I Realized, What It Prices, and Is It Value It (2026)

What Is the IHP Certification?

The Integrative Health Practitioner certification was created by Dr. Stephen Cabral, a Board Licensed Physician of Naturopathy, founding father of EquiLife and the Integrative Well being Practitioner Institute, and writer of the worldwide bestseller The Rain Barrel Impact. (In case you haven’t learn it but, get it. It’s free!) After almost 20 years, over 600,000 pages of analysis, dozens of certifications within the pure well being discipline, and over 1 / 4 of one million personal shopper classes…. Dr. Cabral is the actual deal.

I’d been following him on Instagram for a few years and had him as a visitor on the podcast earlier than I enrolled. Once we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I needed to be taught as a lot as I might from him, and when the partnership got here collectively, I took it as an indication that the timing was lastly proper.

This system is constructed on 7 integrative disciplines:

Ayurvedic medication – the science of life and body-typing

Bioregulatory medication – the science of self-healing and rebalancing

Chinese language medication and herbalism – unlocking nature’s therapeutic knowledge

Japanese philosophy – utilizing the thoughts to heal the physique

Conventional naturopathy – “proper dwelling” to reverse sickness

Orthomolecular medication – nutritional vitamins and minerals as medication

Useful medication – state-of-the-art lab testing to uncover underlying root causes

Every little thing is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the way in which he presents advanced data, making it accessible and simple to implement. His real-world medical expertise is invaluable, and it comes via in each lesson.

The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?

IHP Degree 1: The DESTRESS Protocol

Level 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS methodology: a root-cause life-style framework constructed round Weight loss program, Train, Stress administration, Toxin elimination, Relaxation, Emotional steadiness, Supplementation, and Success mindset.

Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral contains steered studying, complementary podcast episodes, and tons of client-ready handouts and assets all through. The total Degree 1 course can take round 6 months relying in your tempo. It’s tremendous complete.

I beloved Degree 1. I discovered myself studying one thing invaluable from each single lesson. But it surely’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The applying actually is available in Degree 2.

Need the total breakdown? Learn my full IHP Level 1 review here.

IHP Degree 2: Useful Labs

That is the place issues obtained actually thrilling for me. Throughout every module I stored pondering: that is precisely what I need to be taught. That is how I need to assist my shoppers.

Level 2 is sort of totally targeted on practical medication labs. You learn to suggest particular residence lab checks, analyze outcomes, and recommend motion plans primarily based on what you discover.

Right here’s what’s coated:

Meals Sensitivity Testing: IgG reactions to 190 meals on a scale from not important to excessive. These are sensitivities (not allergy symptoms) and might present up as complications, joint ache, pores and skin rashes, poor temper, and extra.

Parasite and Micro organism Stool Testing:  key intestine micro organism and parasite markers linked to mind fog, low vitality, physique ache, and complications.

Natural Acids (OAT): an analysis of intestinal yeast and micro organism that may contribute to fatigue, habits points, immune dysfunction, and extra. Many individuals with persistent sickness and neurological points present up right here. I run this check with shoppers virtually each single day.

Omega-3 Testing – your Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio, which has actual implications for coronary heart well being, irritation, temper, vitality, pores and skin, and muscle and joint ache. (Enjoyable reality: analysis reveals that when Omega-3 ranges within the blood attain 9% or extra, the danger of sudden cardiac demise drops dramatically. That alone was eye-opening.)

Adrenal Hormone Testing – estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol patterns all through the day.

Thyroid Adrenal Hormone Testing – provides testosterone, DHEA, thyroid markers (T4, T3, TSH, TPO antibodies), insulin, A1C, and vitamin D. Weight reduction has much more to do with hormone steadiness and metabolism than most individuals understand.

HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Evaluation) – a foundational lab utilizing only a hair pattern that appears at mineral ranges, electrolytes, and poisonous heavy metals, and offers perception into how your physique is responding to emphasize and whether or not you’re a sluggish or quick oxidizer.

Observe: these labs aren’t meant to diagnose, forestall, deal with, or treatment any illness, however they supply extremely particular and actionable details about your particular person physique. I really love this facet of the labs; we’re in search of underlying imbalances however nothing scary.

About two-thirds of the way in which via Degree 2, I noticed that if I stored making an attempt to grasp each module earlier than transferring on, I’d by no means end, since you might truthfully spend a lifetime going deep on any one in every of these checks. One of the best ways to actually be taught this materials is to do it: learn actual outcomes, re-watch the related module as you undergo every marker, and maintain layering in podcasts, books, and persevering with training. That’s nonetheless how I method it.

For the total Degree 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Level 2 review here

How A lot Does the IHP Price?

Pricing can change, so I all the time suggest checking present enrollment particulars immediately.

That mentioned:

Degree 1 is the lower-cost entry level, with fee plan choices accessible

Each ranges collectively is the place the larger funding (and greater low cost) is available in. I feel that Degree 2 is ABSOLUTELY value it. (Value saying right here that I’m at present working my approach via Degree 3 and loving each second)

Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Level 1, or $250 off both levels

IHP additionally periodically runs enrollment specials, so it’s value retaining a watch out if timing is an element for you.

For context on worth: the practical lab coaching alone – one thing only a few coach-level certifications supply at this depth – would price considerably extra if pursued via particular person programs or medical coaching packages.

What I Truly Love Concerning the IHP Program

It fills an actual hole in conventional well being teaching. As a diet coach and private coach, there’s a tough ceiling on how deep you possibly can go along with shoppers. The IHP certification – particularly Degree 2 – gave me instruments to really get to root causes, not simply supply normal life-style steerage.

Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. In case you observe him on Instagram or take heed to his podcast, you already know this. He’s extremely educated, however it’s also possible to simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one that really needs to assist folks heal. That comes via in each lesson.

The help construction is superb. There’s a personal Fb group for IHP candidates and authorized practitioners, stay Zoom Q&A calls, and – for Degree 2 graduates who full an extra mentorship program – they’ll even refer shoppers to you immediately. The handouts and assets are one other big plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal observe, which makes it straightforward to start out implementing with shoppers instantly.

Self-paced with lifetime entry. No cohort deadlines to emphasize over. You’ll be able to transfer rapidly when life permits and decelerate when it doesn’t. (That is why it’s taken me 18 years to finish Degree 3 lol.) They’re additionally continually including new modules, handouts, and content material to the platform.

You don’t want a well being background to start out. Now we have IHPs who utterly modified careers due to this program, and likewise bodily therapists, nurses, medical doctors, private trainers, and dental professionals. It really spans backgrounds.

The mission behind it’s stunning. The concept is that you simply heal your self after which go on to heal others. That’s one thing I imagine in utterly, and it’s been further significant to me as I’ve been alone therapeutic journey.

What I’d Inform You to Know Going In

The teachings require your full consideration. This was my solely actual frustration: Dr. Cabral goes into quite a lot of data (much more so in Degree 2), and I felt like I wanted to be at my desk taking notes, not listening on a stroll or throughout a commute. The upside is it forces you to really take in the fabric, however you possibly can’t blast via it as rapidly as you would possibly need to.

It’s not a medical credential. The IHP doesn’t provide the authority to diagnose, deal with, or prescribe. That is true of all well being teaching certifications, and it’s one thing to go in understanding. You’re working inside the scope of a well being practitioner, which continues to be significant and impactful; it’s only a completely different lane than medication.

You’ll have to buy your individual insurance coverage after Degree 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Different Steadiness. It’s pretty straightforward to arrange, but it surely’s an ongoing price to issue into your planning. (I feel I pay about $160/12 months)

It takes actual time. Degree 1 sometimes takes round 6 months; Degree 2 can take 6 months to a 12 months. There’s no shortcut, and truthfully, that’s acceptable for the quantity of fabric coated.

Is the IHP Value It in 2026?

For me, 10000% sure.

I need to be sincere about why, although. I got here to this already working within the well being area, with a selected hole I wanted to fill and a real ardour for any such work. IHP crammed that hole. I’ve been ready so as to add a brand new layer to my 1:1 teaching, work with members of the family and pals utilizing these instruments, and deepen my very own therapeutic course of with data I didn’t have earlier than. (The timing was further significant for me personally. Coping with some surprising well being problems with my very own made the practical lab materials really feel extremely related.)

I’ve additionally been the one who was advised “nothing is incorrect” or “you’ll simply need to stay with it” by a number of physicians. I do know firsthand how a lot it issues to have somebody in your nook who thinks in root causes, who doesn’t surrender on you when commonplace labs look “regular.” That’s the form of practitioner I need to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.

In case you’re a well being skilled in search of one other option to serve your shoppers, or if you happen to’re somebody who needs to heal your self after which assist the folks round you, I genuinely can’t suggest this program sufficient. I’d do each ranges, particularly if practical labs are your purpose. That’s the place the actual magic occurs.

Take a look at the IHP program and use code FITNESSISTA for as much as $250 off

I solely suggest packages I’ve personally accomplished and imagine in. Enrolling via my hyperlink helps this weblog at no further price to you.

Fast FAQs

Do I want a well being background to enroll?

Nope! This system is open to everybody: profession changers, well being professionals, and genuinely curious folks alike.

Can I simply do Degree 1?

Sure. Degree 1 is its personal certification. But when practical lab work is your purpose, you’ll need each ranges. I’d begin with Degree 1 to verify the fabric resonates, then proceed to Degree 2. (If you are going to buy each on the similar time, the pricing is best, although.)

How lengthy does it take to complete?

Degree 1 is often round 6 months at a snug tempo; Degree 2 is comparable or a bit longer. There’s no time restrict, so you possibly can go at no matter tempo works on your life.

What can I really do with this certification?

You’ll be able to add practical well being teaching to your current observe, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your individual private well being data, and contribute to content material you create. Degree 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain shopper referrals via the IHP community.

Is there neighborhood help whilst you’re going via it?

Sure! The personal Fb group is lively and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use commonly.

Check out the details here and my code is FITNESSISTA on your low cost

Have questions in regards to the IHP that I didn’t cowl right here? Drop them within the feedback. I learn each single one and am completely satisfied to assist!

xo,

Gina

I’ll be updating this publish yearly to mirror any modifications in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.