Functional and Integrative Medicine
Browse all articles in Functional and Integrative Medicine.
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73 articles in Functional and Integrative Medicine
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73 articles in Functional and Integrative Medicine
Uncovering the Root Causes of Acid Reflux: A Holistic Approach to Relief
Acid reflux, also known as heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common digestive issue that affects a significant portion of the population. While many people turn to acid-blocking medications for relief, it's crucial to understand the underlying causes of reflux and address them through lifestyle changes and targeted treatments. The Prevalence of Acid…
Unraveling the Roots of Autoimmune Disease: A Functional Medicine Approach
Autoimmune diseases, a group of more than 100 conditions characterized by the immune system attacking the body's own tissues, have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Despite affecting millions worldwide, conventional medicine often falls short in effectively addressing these complex disorders. Functional medicine, however, offers a unique perspective by focusing on identifying and treating the…
Interpreting Lab Tests and Patient Health Histories to Gain Insight
Pausing Supplements Before Labs for Accuracy When patients are taking various vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other supplements, it can impact lab test results. This often leads to the question of whether or not patients should stop taking certain supplements in the days leading up to lab testing. There is no definitive rule, but generally the…
Unraveling the Roots of Illness: How Trauma and Society Shape Our Health
In the field of medicine, there is a growing recognition that our physical and mental well-being is profoundly influenced by factors beyond our individual biology. Increasingly, researchers and healthcare professionals are exploring the complex interplay between trauma, social conditions, and health outcomes. This article delves into the fascinating science behind these connections and examines how…
Reversing Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Power of Functional Medicine
The Growing Epidemic of Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease and dementia are rapidly becoming a global health crisis. The number of adults over 40 living with dementia worldwide is expected to triple from an estimated 57 million in 2019 to a staggering 153 million by 2050. This alarming increase is largely due to population growth and…
Harnessing the Healing Potential of Cannabis
A Brief History of Cannabis as Medicine Cannabis is far from a new medicine. In fact, humans have utilized cannabis therapeutically for over 5,000 years across ancient cultures like Asia, Greece and India. Historical records show cannabis was used to treat conditions ranging from gout to memory loss. However, in the 20th century its use…
A Lifetime Approach: Effective Naturopathic Management of Arthritis
Oxidative Stress: An Under-Addressed Arthritis Mediator While acute inflammation rightfully captures attention as a driver of arthritis, oxidative stress acts as an insidious perpetrator as well. Localized reactive oxygen species and systemic reduction of antioxidants associate with both severity and duration of rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis also demonstrates increased oxidative stress markers. Functional medicine pioneer Dr.…
Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Recurrent GI Distress
The Gut-Brain Connection The gut and brain have a powerful, bidirectional relationship. Stress and emotions can clearly impact gastrointestinal function. However, the opposite effect also holds true – gastrointestinal issues can directly affect mood, anxiety levels, cognition, and energy. For example, conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and hiatal hernia syndrome allow bacterial byproducts…
Assessing Metabolic Health Beyond Standard Metrics
Defining Metabolic Syndrome In the 1980s, endocrinologist Dr. Gerald Reaven observed that a cluster of clinical signs tended to appear together in patients and strongly predicted their risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Reaven referred to this cluster as "Syndrome X." Over time, this terminology evolved into what we now call metabolic…
Unlocking the Genetic Secrets Behind Rare and Complex Diseases
The Rapid Pace of Advancement in Genetic Technologies It's astonishing to reflect on how quickly genetic testing technologies have advanced over a relatively short period of time. Just a few decades ago, identifying disease-causing genes was an arduous process that could take years. Now, thanks to innovations like high-throughput sequencing, we can sequence a person's…
The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Revolution: How Real-Time Data Is Transforming Diabetes Care
A Tiny Sensor, A Wealth of Insight Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are transforming diabetes care by providing patients and clinicians access to a wealth of real-time glucose data. At the core of this technology is a tiny sensor, thinner than a human hair, which is inserted just under the skin to measure glucose levels…
Unraveling the Intricate Biology of Stress: Insights from a Leading Neuroscientist
The Intricate Physiology of Our Stress Response When we face stressful situations, our bodies kick into high gear through the activation of two key systems: the sympathetic nervous system (aka the "fight or flight" response) and the HPA axis which controls release of stress hormones called glucocorticoids. Adrenaline and norepinephrine come online within seconds, mobilizing…