Functional medicine.

Functional medicine can be a game-changer for people dealing with chronic conditions like autoimmunity, neurological issues, hormonal imbalances, digestive troubles, and skin disorders. It can also provide relief in acute situations, such as viral infections like the flu.

Moreover, some health concerns are tricky to diagnose. But by deeply understanding human biology and disease processes, functional medicine practitioners can use signs, symptoms, and advanced testing to identify and address the underlying root causes. This holistic approach can make a real difference for people who have struggled to find answers.

Functional medicine can help address a wide range of chronic health issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Asthma and allergies
• Autoimmune conditions (diagnosed and undiagnosed)
• Bacterial infection (Lyme disease)
• Brain and mood disorders
• Cardiovascular disease
• Children’s health concerns
• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Compromised immunity
• Diabetes
• Digestive disorders (diagnosed and undiagnosed)
• Graves’ disease
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Hormonal imbalances
• Hypertension
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Menopause
• Metabolic dysfunction
• Obesity
• Recurrent infections (e.g., chronic UTIs, thrush)
• Skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis, hives, acne, eczema)
• Thyroid disorders
• Viral infections (e.g., shingles, Epstein-Barr virus)
• Women’s health issues (e.g., PMS, PCOS, period pain, irregular periods)

People with seemingly unrelated symptoms that don’t fit neatly into a specific category or condition can also benefit from the functional medicine approach. A perfect example is Adrienne, who had bloating and diarrhea, as well as thyroid and autoimmune issues, which we often see at BionwoRx.

Many people feel confused about which healthcare practitioner or specialist they should see for their health concerns. The functional medicine approach can help by taking a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the individual’s overall health to determine the underlying causes of their symptoms. Often, seemingly unrelated symptoms are actually connected, stemming from the same root factors. Through a deep understanding of the body’s interconnected systems, functional medicine practitioners can uncover these hidden connections and develop a tailored plan to address the whole person.

Beyond those dealing with complex health issues, functional medicine also benefits individuals who are generally healthy but want to prevent disease, extend their lifespan, or optimize their wellbeing. This includes elite athletes, high-performers, and health enthusiasts seeking to reach peak physical and mental potential.

The practice of functional medicine can vary depending on the type of practitioner you see, as it is a framework that includes doctors, nurse practitioners, and chiropractors. However, all functional medicine practitioners follow certain principles while working with patients to help them recover their health. Let’s take a closer look at how functional medicine is actually practiced.

Functional medicine approaches patient cases like a skilled detective. Practitioners thoroughly investigate all potential causes of a person’s symptoms, mapping out their medical history and health picture to uncover root issues and contributing factors. This meticulous detective work requires deep knowledge of biology, biochemistry, and disease processes, which allows them to develop customized solutions for each unique case.

Rather than jumping to quick conclusions, functional medicine practitioners take the time to thoughtfully explore and rule out possibilities, continually refining their plan as they home in on the true underlying causes. This inquisitive, creative approach demands patience and expertise, but leads to more effective, personalized treatment for the patient.

Caring for a plant is like caring for your health. If the leaves turn brown and spotty, you could paint them green to make them look better. But simply covering up the symptoms won’t address the root of the problem – the leaves will just turn brown again. Similarly, taking medications for quick relief may make your symptoms disappear temporarily, but the underlying issue remains. And those treatments can even lead to new problems down the line. The key is to identify and address the real cause, not just mask the symptoms.

When managing high cholesterol, it’s important to consider the potential side effects of statins. While statins effectively lower cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme involved in its production, that same enzyme is also necessary for the synthesis of CoQ10. CoQ10 is a critical antioxidant and cofactor that plays a key role in energy production. As a result, statin use can lead to reduced CoQ10 levels, which may cause side effects like fatigue, muscle pain, and an increased risk of developing diabetes. It’s important for patients and their healthcare providers to be aware of these potential tradeoffs when deciding the best approach to managing high cholesterol.

Functional medicine doesn’t just ask “What’s the best drug or treatment to quickly relieve this disease?”. It also explores the deeper questions – “Why did this occur in the first place, and what needs to be addressed to restore true health?”

The health of a tree depends entirely on its environment – the soil, sunlight, and water it has access to. Similarly, our human health stems from the ‘exposome’: the various lifestyle factors that surround us, like nutrition, stress, pollution, exercise, relationships, and sleep.

For a tree, the problem might be inadequate sunlight or too much water. For someone with a chronic condition, it could be poor diet, excessive stress, or heavy metal toxicity. By actively addressing these underlying factors, we can restore health and maximize longevity.

Functional medicine practitioners take a comprehensive approach to understanding the root causes of illness. They begin by looking for:

• Antecedents – factors that put someone at risk, like a genetic predisposition
• Triggers – incidents that can induce an imbalance or disease, such as a stressful life event or infection
• Mediators or drivers – contributors to the progression of a condition, for example a nutrient deficiency or food sensitivity

This thorough case-taking is the first crucial step in the investigative process. By leaving no stone unturned, even minor clues can help put the pieces of a person’s health puzzle together.

The functional medicine approach views the body as a complex, interconnected system, rather than focusing solely on individual parts or systems. While specialized knowledge is crucial, many health issues involve multiple biological systems. By taking a holistic perspective, functional medicine practitioners can offer more comprehensive and personalized care to patients.

The PNEI system is a prime example of how the body’s systems interconnect. The nervous, endocrine, and immune systems work as an integrated “super system” that can be influenced by psychological factors. This highlights the detrimental impact that stress can have on the body.

For instance, in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, psychosocial stressors can influence the nervous system. This can lead to high levels of inflammatory immune cells called cytokines, pro-inflammatory hormones, and reduced anti-inflammatory hormones.

The body operates as an interconnected system, with various functions working together directly or indirectly to maintain homeostasis – a dynamic adaptability that responds to internal and external environmental factors.

In the case of an autoimmune condition, a functional medicine practitioner will take a more holistic approach. Rather than solely focusing on the immune system as the issue, they will assess the health of other key systems, such as the nervous system or digestive system, to determine the underlying cause based on the patient’s overall health picture.

The human body is incredibly complex, so the functional medicine approach acknowledges that chronic diseases usually have multiple underlying causes, not just a single factor.

The human body is incredibly complex, so the functional medicine approach acknowledges that chronic diseases usually have multiple underlying causes, not just a single factor. For example, inflammation, hormones, diet and exercise, toxin exposure and cardiovascular health can lead to diabetes.

Interestingly, a single imbalance can lead to a variety of health issues. For instance, chronic inflammation is a key driver behind many – if not all – chronic conditions, such as heart disease, depression, arthritis, cancer, and obesity.

Functional medicine prioritizes personalized care as a central focus of its approach.

Functional medicine is a deeply personalized approach, considering each individual’s unique needs. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol, functional medicine practitioners take the time to thoroughly understand a patient’s diet, lifestyle, health history (including family history), and biochemical makeup. This allows them to develop a truly tailored treatment plan that addresses the root causes of the person’s health concerns.

By blending their clinical expertise with the latest scientific evidence and the patient’s own health narrative, functional medicine practitioners create a strategy that is uniquely suited to each individual. The focus is always on determining “what will be right for this patient?” This empowers patients not only to regain their health, but also to live in alignment with what their body needs to thrive.

For example, two people with the same autoimmune condition may have entirely different contributing factors and root causes, requiring distinctly different treatments. Functional medicine embraces this individuality, moving away from a generic approach to one that is deeply personalized.

To get to the root of a health issue, testing is often required. This detective work can involve a variety of tests, including:

• DUTCH testing: This is the best current methodology for investigating hormones. It uses a urine sample collected over time to analyze hormone metabolites, not just the hormones themselves.
• OAT (Organic Acids Test): A broad metabolic test that can provide clues about underlying health imbalances.
• Stool testing: Checks for pathogens, assesses digestive function and the health of the microbiome, and identifies gut inflammation markers.
• Cardiometabolic testing: The latest insights into cardiometabolic health, like lipoprotein particle profiles and oxidized LDL.
• Comprehensive thyroid panel: Goes beyond just TSH and T4 to include the full picture of thyroid markers like T3, rT3, TPOAb, TGAb, and TRAb.
• Environmental toxin testing: Checks for exposure to toxins like mycotoxins, heavy metals, and other pollutants.

This thorough approach to testing can help uncover the root causes of a patient’s health concerns.

Effective healthcare requires more than just excellent testing, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. It also demands empowering patients and partnering with them on their journey to good health. After all, people are complex creatures – not just physically, but mentally as well. An effective care plan requires a deep understanding of the individual and how to facilitate meaningful behavior change.

By fostering a collaborative relationship, healthcare providers can help patients feel heard, supported, and in control of their own care plan. This empowering approach is at the heart of functional medicine, recognizing that patients are active participants in their health, not passive recipients of treatment.

By fostering an empowering partnership between practitioner and patient, we empower our patients to take charge of their health and actively participate in their healing journey. A key part of this approach is boosting the patient’s ‘health literacy’ – helping them understand the factors that impact their wellbeing and become more in tune with their body. This deep connection and understanding is vital for true healing to occur, equipping people with the tools to effectively manage their health for a long, vibrant life.