What Is Functional Medicine?
Bio-identical Hormone replacement Therapy, Blood Nutrition Therapy and Anti-aging therapies are all under the umbrella of Functional Medicine. The common thread: to improve cellular metabolic function with nutrition, supplements or natural hormone replacement; which ultimately helps your body get the nutrient it needs to strengthen and help resist diseases and the ravages of aging.
The Functional Medicine Process
- A comprehensive personal family history and nutritional evaluation is first filled out then a comprehensive blood analysis is done which is the cornerstone of the initial evaluation.
- Depending on the results of the test and your problems or goals more specialized tests may be ordered.
- Based on the finding of your tests an individually customized nutritional program is set up just for you.
- Retesting will be done in 2-4 weeks to make sure the treatment plan is working and if there needs to be any changes in your treatment plan.
The goal of treatment is not to treat a disease pattern but to find any metabolic imbalances or deficiencies and correct them so that the body can function at its peak performance. This is why two patients with the same disease pattern will have two different treatment plans.
Having a metabolic imbalance or deficiency and then correcting it will improve the way your cells work and if the imbalance is related to a disease process it may have a favorable impact on that process.
What Is A Vitamin?
A vitamin is a supplement which supplies the cells with a nutrient that the body is lacking. Taking an antioxidant supplement then helps prevent oxidative damage. What I want you to understand is having the correct ratio of nutrients in your cells is the only way your cells can function the way they are suppose to function.
Taking mega doses of supplements because they were recommended by a friend or someone at the health food store or because you read they were good for you is not the best way to take supplements. This is because taking too much of the wrong supplement can cause metabolic imbalances. The only way to know if you are getting the correct nutrients is to test and then retest.
Specialized Tests
Bone Health panel
Preliminary urine screening assay test for patients with high risk for osteoporosis. The test checks for bone resorption markers that can be measured in the urine. Test can be used as an adjunct tracking tool in bone and mineralization assessment after initial densitometry is performed. It can be used for follow –up monitoring efficacy of hormone replacement therapy in the prevention of osteoporosis in both sexes.
Urinary Bile Acid sulfate test
Uses a urine sample to provide direct assessment of liver function. Shows how the liver is detoxifying and assesses if the liver function is compromised. Compromised function leads to a build up of toxic substances that can damage liver cells and leads to increased risk for cancer and a variety of other degenerative diseases.
Urine Halides Test
Bromide and fluoride are Halides which are highly antagonistic to Iodine. Iodine is an essential element required for normal function of the thyroid gland, immune system and breast tissue. Iodine insufficiency is associated with “sub-clinical” thyroid deficiency, weight gain, loss of energy, goiter and impaired mental function and has protective effects against fibrocystic breast disease and cancer. The urine Halide test can assess for antagonist Halides.
Organic Acid test
Cellular energy profile measures carbohydrate metabolism and mitochondrial cell function. Helps develop precise targeted nutritional therapy to optimize the energy of the body‘s cells. Used for Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Adrenal Stress Index Cortisol test
Cortisol affects the SigA line of defense in the mucosal immunity. Low SigA is associated with an increase risk of infections and food reactions. DHEA is affected by cortisol and this results in an imbalance in sex hormones. Thyroid is also affected by cortisol levels. If you’re not correcting cortisol levels then your thyroid levels may not improve.
Mineral and Heavy Toxic Elements
Toxic elements have been implicated in syndromes with fatigue as the primary symptoms.
Amino Acids
Amino Acids play a key role in the body’s production of energy. They play a major role in nearly every chemical process that affects both physical and mental function. When amino acid supply is low to meet tissue demand, important body functions suffer. This results in the appearance of signs and symptoms ranging from immune system effects to cardiovascular disease to emotional disorders and more.
Fatty Acids
Identifying and treating fatty acid deficiencies has been shown to increase energy levels with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Balancing FA helps reduce inflammation in the body.
Gastrointestinal Panels
For individuals with chronic and vague GI symptoms. For detection of specific intestinal pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and various parasites. To evaluate intestinal irritation and inflammation, Digestion related screens for food intolerance to common offending foods. Intestinal permeability(leaky gut) and malabsorption problems.
Male Hormone panel
Decrease in male hormones can cause a decreased muscle mass, strength, libido, vigor, low energy, insomnia, depression, and hair loss. Optimal health is dependent on the balance of all the hormones, and not just a single hormone. The male hormone panel will show the normal and the abnormal levels of six distinct hormone. If the levels are outside the expected limits, an objective individualized treatment plan can be developed.
Female Hormone panels
The female hormone panels consist of three separate panels.
- Regular cycling
- Postmenopause
- Perimenopause
Tests can help identify hormone imbalances related to the cycle of life you may be in and individualized hormone replacement plans can be developed.