What is functional medicine?
The functional medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that encourages patients and their doctors to work together to address the underlying root causes of disease and achieve optimal health. It requires a detailed understanding of each person's genetic, biochemical and lifestyle factors. Diet, lifestyle, emotional and genetic factors are assessed together.
It provides support for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, depression, autism, attention disorders, digestive diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgias, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, thyroid disease, infertility and cancer.
6 interconnected systems are examined
- Digestive and gastrointestinal system
- Cardiometabolic system
- Detoxification
- Energy production
- Immune system
- Hormones
The role of the laboratory
Laboratory testing is the most important pillar of functional medicine treatment. Each physician has created many functional medicine panels based on their own views. However, basic functional medicine panels must always include detailed tests targeting the conditions being investigated.