We are at the beginning of a healthcare revolution and there is a new system to use to find your best self. That system is called Functional Medicine. Our current model is built around germ theory. That if you treat a specific germ you will allow your body to heal. That is how penicillin was born and came to be. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. Penicillin was used to treat soldiers' battlefield infections and pneumonia. Penicillin is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections including: strep throat, ear infections, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Pneumonia, Staph infections, Meningitis, Salmonella Infections, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Lyme Disease.
But what do you do when antibiotics no longer work? What do you do when treating a single infection does not improve overall health. Functional Medicine with Terrain Theory helps us to unweave the interconnected webs to find the dysfunction and the disruption between the systems. The gut is connected to the cognitive function, and the lymphatic system is deeply influenced by the gut microbiome, and the endocrine system is greatly impacted by by the immune system, and so on.
Functional Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that seeks to understand the root causes of diseases and addresses the body as an interconnected system, rather than treating isolated symptoms. In Functional Medicine, the body is viewed as a complex web of interdependent systems, and health issues are addressed by focusing on underlying imbalances or dysfunctions in these systems. Here are some of the primary systems identified in Functional Medicine:
1. Digestive System
- The digestive system plays a central role in overall health. Functional Medicine focuses on the gut microbiome, digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination processes.
- Imbalances, such as leaky gut, dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), food sensitivities, or inflammation, can lead to a range of health problems, from autoimmune conditions to mood disorders.
2. Endocrine System
- This system involves glands that produce hormones, including the thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and reproductive organs.
- Common imbalances include thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), adrenal fatigue, insulin resistance, and estrogen/progesterone imbalances.
- Functional Medicine seeks to optimize hormonal balance through lifestyle, diet, and targeted supplements.
3. Immune System
- The immune system defends the body against infection and maintains homeostasis. However, dysfunction in immune regulation can lead to chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, or hypersensitivity.
- Functional Medicine addresses the root causes of immune dysfunction, such as gut health, chronic infections, environmental toxins, and diet.
4. Detoxification System (Liver & Kidneys)
- The liver, kidneys, and other organs involved in detoxification (such as the lymphatic system) are essential for removing toxins and waste from the body.
- Functional Medicine examines factors that impair detoxification, such as environmental toxins, poor diet, or nutrient deficiencies, and works to optimize liver function, kidney health, and the body's ability to detoxify naturally.
5. Cardiovascular System
- This system includes the heart and blood vessels, which circulate blood throughout the body.
- Functional Medicine aims to address risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances, and poor circulation, often through diet, exercise, and stress management.
6. Nervous System
- The nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, regulates communication throughout the body and controls both voluntary and involuntary functions.
- Dysfunction in this system may lead to anxiety, depression, chronic pain, migraines, or neurological diseases. Functional Medicine emphasizes balancing the nervous system by addressing stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and neurotransmitter imbalances.
7. Musculoskeletal System
- This system includes muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissue.
- Chronic pain, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis are addressed by identifying potential root causes such as nutritional deficiencies, inflammatory triggers, or gut health issues.
8. Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, Nails)
- The skin, hair, and nails are reflective of internal health. Skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or premature aging can be linked to hormonal imbalances, gut health, or toxicity.
- Functional Medicine takes a comprehensive approach to treating skin conditions by considering the impact of diet, stress, detoxification, and nutrient levels.
9. Mitochondrial Function
- The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for energy production. Dysfunction in mitochondrial function can lead to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and other energy-related issues.
- Functional Medicine emphasizes the importance of supporting mitochondrial health through nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle interventions.
10. Mental Health & Cognitive Function
- This system involves brain health, mood regulation, and cognitive function.
- Functional Medicine looks at factors such as neurotransmitter imbalances, gut health (due to the gut-brain connection), heavy metals, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation as potential causes for conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or cognitive decline.
11. Reproductive System
- This system encompasses the sexual organs and related hormonal functions.
- Functional Medicine addresses issues such as fertility problems, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and erectile dysfunction by looking at hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental influences.
12. Lymphatic System
- The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immune function and the removal of waste products from tissues.
- Impairment in lymphatic function can contribute to conditions such as lymphedema, chronic inflammation, or autoimmune diseases.
13. Circulatory System (Blood & Vessels)
- The circulatory system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
- Functional Medicine seeks to improve circulation, oxygenation, and blood flow by addressing factors like cardiovascular health, nutrient status, and inflammatory markers.
14. Microbiome (Gut Microbiota)
- The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a central system in health and disease. It involves trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that influence digestion, immunity, mood, and inflammation.
- Functional Medicine focuses on promoting a balanced microbiome through dietary changes, prebiotics, probiotics, and reducing exposure to harmful substances like antibiotics or environmental toxins.
Functional Medicine Approach:
- Functional Medicine practitioners use a systems biology approach, which views all these systems as interconnected and interdependent.
- They typically use a combination of personalized treatment plans that include dietary interventions, lifestyle changes, stress management, supplements, and sometimes lab testing (e.g., genetic testing, hormone panels, stool tests) to assess imbalances in these various systems.
In short, Functional Medicine recognizes that health issues often arise from dysfunction in multiple interconnected systems within the body, and treatment is most effective when the whole person and their unique biological context are considered.
You can find a Functional Medicine practitioner here:
https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner