When you are healthy, you have a thousand wishes. When you are sick, only one.
WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?
Functional medicine is a holistic and science based approach to health and disease. Rather than simply managing symptoms, it focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of health concerns.
This approach considers the complex interactions between organ systems, lifestyle, nutrition, stress, environmental exposures, and genetics. The aim is to uncover and eliminate root causes so the body can return to homeostasis (balance), allowing all physiological systems to function optimally—ultimately restoring health.
We examine:
-
How digestion, hormones, the immune system, and the nervous system are interconnected
-
What triggers may be contributing to symptoms (e.g., food sensitivities, stress, infections, toxins)
-
How lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and stress management support recovery
Example:
In cases of persistent fatigue, we go beyond checking for imbalances or deficiencies in blood values. Simply correcting deficiencies may offer only temporary or limited relief in individuals with chronic symptoms. Instead, we investigate the origins of the complaint using a comprehensive approach—evaluating environmental influences such as mold or water damage in the home, as well as gut health, adrenal function, dietary habits, stress levels, and other contributing factors.
TEST! DON'T GUESS WITH YOUR HEALTH!
An important part of my approach involves identifying and mapping out disruptive or burdensome factors in the body. These may include:
-
Environmental toxins such as plastics, pesticides, plasticizers, heavy metals, and air pollution
-
Toxins produced by molds and bacteria, including mycotoxins and endotoxins
-
Hidden infections, such as parasites, fungi, viruses, or bacterial overgrowth
-
Hormonal imbalances caused by issues like estrogen dominance, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, or exposure to endocrine-disrupting substances from food, cosmetics, and the environment
-
Gut-related issues such as leaky gut, dysbiosis, food intolerances, and poor nutrient absorption
-
Chronic stress, unresolved emotional patterns, or traumatic experiences that impact the nervous and immune systems
To gain a clear understanding of these factors, I use advanced laboratory testing. This includes stool analyses, blood and urine tests, saliva testing, hair mineral analysis, and, when appropriate, genetic profiling.
These tests provide valuable insights into the functioning of your immune system, digestion, gut microbiome, detoxification pathways, hormonal balance, and genetic predispositions.
By examining all these elements together, we can accurately pinpoint and address the root causes of a wide range of complaints—including chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, migraines, digestive issues, skin conditions, Long Covid, burnout, POTS, and mental emotional disorders like depression and anxiety.
A Synergistic Approach: Functional Medicine and Orthomolecular Therapy
Functional medicine and orthomolecular therapy complement and reinforce each other. While functional medicine focuses on uncovering the root causes of your complaints, orthomolecular therapy supports your body’s natural healing processes through:
-
Identifying and addressing the root causes of your symptoms
-
Targeted supplementation with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids to relieve burdens and restore balance
-
Implementing lifestyle changes and stress management strategies
This powerful combination promotes sustainable recovery from within and helps prevent future health issues by addressing the underlying factors that disrupt your body’s equilibrium.