The Functional Medicine Approach
You may have heard the term Functional Medicine being used more and more.
So, what is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine looks at the underlying cause of dysfunction and works to correct biochemical processes within the body. The application of dietary and lifestyle modifications is implemented to ease symptoms and reestablish optimal function within the body. In some cases, supplementation is necessary to restore balance.
I utilize a functional medicine approach working with my clients one on one, along with functional testing we get to the root of any health problem and address the underlying issues to restore balance within the body for optimal function.
Functional Testing
Functional testing is helpful in determining areas of dysfunction and opportunities for healing, not to diagnose or treat. Functional testing can help reveal nutritional deficiencies and weaknesses and assist in guiding the process of rebalancing the systems of the body. These functional tests can include stool analysis to determine GI function and possible dysbiosis, saliva or urine collection to assess adrenal and/or hormone imbalances and dried blood spot/blood draw to evaluate food sensitivities.
Functional testing:
Here are some of the functional tests I use when I work with clients one on one in my programs.
Diagnostics Solutions – GI Map (Stool analysis) – gives an overall snapshot of your gut health. It tests your gut-microbiota and digestive health. Can detect microbial imbalance, microbes contributing to illness, and indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function.
DUTCH Testing – Urine hormone testing & detoxification status – advanced hormone test, offering an extensive profile of sex (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and adrenal (cortisol, DHEA-s) hormones and melatonin, along with their metabolites (to identify preferred detoxification pathways), to identify symptoms of hormonal imbalances.
DiagnosticTechs/Genova/Doctor’s Data – Saliva hormone testing – measure the number of free hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], estrogen, melatonin, progesterone and/or testosterone) found in the saliva to identify symptoms of hormonal imbalances.
Great Plains Lab (GPL) – OAT (Organic Acid Test)– test will identify deficiency of essential nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants as well as oxidative stress and detoxification ability. All together we test for 65 metabolites that relate to yeast, bacteria, water soluble vitamins, oxalates, neurotransmitters, mitochondrial function, and other metabolic pathways which can have adverse effects on immune and neurological function.
GPL – AA (Amino Acids) – test analyzes 40 amino acids and provides a detailed explanation of the possible causes and consequences of detected abnormalities, along with nutritional information. Amino acid imbalances are frequently underlying factors in disorders such as ADD, depression, Tourette syndrome, tic disorder, OCD, seizures, and others.
NutrEval Plasma® – test is an advanced nutritional analysis designed to reveal nutritional imbalances or inadequacies. NutrEval Plasma evaluates the functional need for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients.
FIT Testing (KBMO)/MRT Leap – Food sensitivity testing – Food allergies and sensitivities are recognized to be correlated with many plaguing health conditions, but with proper identification and elimination of offending foods, many experience relief from their symptoms.
GPL – Toxin screening – to determine toxic exposure to heavy metals, mycotoxins (mold), and other environmental pollutants.
These are a few examples of functional tests that I provide in my practice. Working together we get to the root of the issue, resolve the underlying cause. I consider it a total health renovation, so you can live your healthiest, most vibrant life.
Contact me today to set up a Complimentary 30 Minute Session to learn more and see if the functional medicine approach is something for you.