Within the short time-frame (typical office visit) that most conventional practitioners are allocated to spend with clients, often the script for a pharmaceutical is the quickest answer to the two questions functional medicine practitioners ask of clients: "What Do They Need More Of?" and "What Do They Need To Get Rid Of?"

Within the functional approach it all starts with an involved history.                                                                                

Within our personal stories are the:  

       5 causes of disease with exposure:   Toxins, Allergens, Infections, Stress, and Diet

                                                                                                                      (Nutrition)            

       7 biological systems to optimize :   Digestion and Nutrition (raw materials)

                                                              Structural Building Blocks (the infrastructure)

                                                              Energy Metabolism and Resources

                                                              Hormonal (communication)

                                                              Detoxification Pathways(sewage and waste management)

                                                              Immune and Inflammatory Pathways (protection and defense)

                                                              Mind-Body and Body-Mind (all cells live in community)  

 The Ingredients for optimal function:

1.  Food:  Food is by far the most powerful clinical intervention in chronic disease.  Evaluation of a client's diet for low glycemic foods, the proper fatty-acid composition, healthy omega-3 fats vs omega-6 fats, foods low in saturated fats and no Trans fats.  Looking for  a high level of phytonutrients and antioxidants,  healthy proteins-lean, healthful, predominantly plant-based proteins or pasture-raised animal products,  high amounts of vitamins and minerals, and  foods that are not highly allergenic  (gluten, dairy, and others based on personalized prescription).  Evaluating the diet for toxic burden minimizing food with added hormones, pesticides, antibiotics, or other artificial additives.  Also evaluating the diet for a healthy PH balance, a healthy salt: potassium ratio, and a high fiber content to help slow the insulin response and optimize digestive health.

2.  Evaluating Food Allergens.   Delayed hypersensitivity food responses are among the most potent triggers for chronic symptoms and immune system over activity leading to autoimmune disorders. Food elimination/provocation is a most powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool and evaluation of the manifestations of gluten intolerance and the continuum of gluten-related disorders is imperative.

3.  Fixing the Gut:   Health starts in the gut. The digestive tract has an independent nervous system and contains 60% of our immune system. Evaluation of digestion and elimination as well as getting rid of inappropriate gut flora and replacing beneficial gut flora is crucial.

4.  Optimize Nutrient Status:  Nutrient deficiencies affect up to 92% of Americans. Evaluation and replacement of important nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D3, Co Q10 are crucial to cellular functioning and wellness.

5.   Balance Hormones:   Dietary disruption of hormones (sugar and refined flour), endocrine disruptors or xenobiotics (petrochemicals and heavy metals), and chronic stress are rampant. Four categories of hormones are the most important to assess and treat: insulin resistance,   hypothalamic- pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction and adrenal insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and sex hormone dysfunction. Diet, exercise, stress management, bio-identical hormone replacement, nutrient support, and herbal therapies are among the most effective tools.  

6.   Supporting Energy Metabolism:  The end result of many nutritional, toxic, allergic, infectious, and dietary insults is injury to the mitochondria, the cellular power plants, which if unchecked lead to oxidative stress, loss of energy, and ultimately, apoptosis or cell death. Mitochondrial dysfunction has led to epidemics of obesity, diabetes, fatigue, developmental and neuro-degenerative disorders, and accelerated aging.

7.  Enhance Detoxification:   Detoxification is one of the most important and metabolically demanding functions of our physiology. The toxic burden of 2.9 billion pounds of petrochemical toxins and 6 million pounds of mercury unloaded into our environment every year has put undue stress on our capacity for detoxification.  Identifying heavy-metal toxicity, particularly mercury and lead is crucial to unburden the cells to provide maximum functioning.

8.  Supporting Healthy Mind Body Balance :    Helping patients find meaning and connection in the context of illness and within the tapestry of their lives, relationships, and beliefs is more important than ever before.  Supporting the patient to develop skills in self-care and nourishment are both the first and last steps in healing.