Functional Medicine

Things I learned from studying and researching Functional Medicine. A Functional medicine doctor once told me that Functional Medicine was meant to empower and inspire.  That given the right opportunities, the body will heal itself. It's our responsibility to take ownership of our health, our bodies and our life though. 

One major problem with allopathic healthcare is that they don't get to the root cause and they are only looking for disease. So it's our job to take action, turn things around, ideally naturally and sustainably. 

That same Functional MD taught me the Learning Pillars of Health and how to apply them to your life. I have found these things so important in my daily life for myself and my family. 

1. Detox: to heal, repair, and restore the gut, reduce inflammation, and remove deficiencies. Its best to detox with food and supplements and to always detox slowly. Stress can also be emotional & chemical (pollution, air, foods, drugs, spraying, alcohol), & physical (inflammation, energy, autoimmunity). 

2. Balancing of Hormones; Most of us are out of balance, whether it be estrogen, cortisol, thyroid, or liver. Allopathic practitioners rarely utilize hormone testing like FMDs. Did you know? Hormones when out of balance, cause calories to store as fat. Adrenal glands and Cortisol when out of balance, stores fat/calories in the belly. There are 600 hormones in our body. The Fat burning hormones (anti-aging) are growth hormone, DHEA, Testosterone, Thyroid. Fat storing hormones are insulin, estrogen, cortisol. Hormone imbalances are the main drive of their illnesses.

3. Mentorship is necessary; whether it to be someone to guide, explain, or help you find solutions utilizing other alternative practitioners like naturopath, osteopath, functional and integrative medicine. They can help determine underlying cause, create unique plans, educate and empower, guide through your journey, hold you accountable, encourage and celebrate your wins with you. 

4. Nutrition which is the purpose of food-that which is eaten to sustain life, provide energy and promote growth and repair of tissues. Food is medicine. Up to 80% of the immune and nervous system is housed in the gut. The Gut, liver (supporting it, natural detox & controls inflammation), skin, and kidneys.

5. Fitness is also important because our bodies need to move to heal and function properly. 

Unfortunately insurance companies are paying your medical doctors. Its a broken system of medicine by just writing RX (prescriptions) and / or treating and managing disease but not the root causes or wellness. Conventional medicine is a money model not a wellness model. Our quality of life is not payable. Prevention or prolonging health is not payable. It's not medically necessary to them. Because it's a money model, not about good health.

Of all the things you can invest in, your life and your health should be a priority. If you aren't happy with the results or your health, Do something different! Ask what's your why? What’s Your goals or your purpose? Do it for yourself, do it for your family. The amount of work you put in, is always the amount you get out of it. Life can transform if you put in the work. Stop procrastinating and take action.

"Tell me , and I may remember. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand."

"It's not chanCe, it's the chanGe. Put in the work. Take action. Make changes. Do something different. Do something about it."

To see some of our recommended and experienced providers with CF please reach out via email or visit the Provider Program under your member account.