Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a systematic and comprehensive approach towards addressing the underlying causes of disease which involves an understanding of the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic conditions. Functional medicine is an evolutionary approach to health management in which the patient and practitioner work together in a therapeutic partnership. Functional medicine has expanded the conventional disease-focused medical practice by treating the patient synergistically rather than just simply isolating a set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners analyze the background, genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors of the patient to determine the way these aspects interact and effect health, longevity and disease development. The rates of complex chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental and emotional disorders and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis are rising rapidly. Functional medicine considers the entire picture of the patient within the context of their environment and how they are reacting to the stresses and toxins of modern life in order to determine the best treatment protocol possible for them.
Whereas conventional medical practice focuses more on acute care, applying specific prescriptions such as drugs or surgery to deal with the immediate symptoms of disease and trauma; the methodology of functional medicine specialises in preventing and treating complex chronic conditions and disease effectively by discovering and analysing the root cause. Functional medicine operates on the cutting edge of scientific research, constantly developing and integrating new information, tools and techniques into treatment protocols especially in the areas of complex, chronic health conditions. Functional medicine practitioners are trained to assess the underlying causes of complex chronic conditions and utilise nutrition, exercise and lifestyle strategies to prevent and treat disease. Functional medicine takes a science based approach to health care, analysing each patient and their interaction with their physiology and lifestyle, as well as the internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) aspects of life and the effects these have on overall wellbeing and total health. Functional medicine combines integrative medicine with conventional medical practices, placing focus on prevention through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle management. Functional medicine employs the latest in diagnostic techniques and laboratory testing, innovative tools, therapeutic diets, detoxification support and stress management techniques which will support you in your journey towards optimal health, longevity and total wellbeing.
Together with a nutritional therapy consultation and the appropriate functional medicine testing it is possible to accurately identify and target specific imbalances in various body systems:
· Endocrine (Hormone)
· Digestion & Intestinal Barrier Function
· Immune Function
· Detoxification Systems
The Hormonal system takes the role of commander and control center of the body. Hormones regulate energy production, fat burning and emotional feelings. Hormonal imbalances are extremely common and can manifest themselves in conditions such as weight issues, fatigue and depression. Hormone disregulation is often a reaction to a source of stress which can be emotional stress, physiological stress from pain and inflammation, or dietary stress and food intolerances.
The digestive system is the pathway for the absorption and assimilation of the nutrients from the food we consume. Typical symptoms of digestive distress are bloating, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea. A person with healthy digestive function should feel vibrant and energized for several hours after eating without cravings or mood fluctuations. No matter how great your diet, if you are not absorbing your food correctly you will never be truly well.
The detoxification system is the bodys route of elimination for detrimental toxins and chemicals such as mercury, parabens and the by products of alcohol, toiletries and medications. Living in the modern world we are experiencing a constant level of chemical and heavy metal toxin exposure that is extremely taxing and takes a toll on our body. The foods we eat, the medicines we take and the products we use as well as every day environmental exposure creates a toxic load on the body that must be processed by the various pathways of the detoxification system. The liver is central component of the detoxification system and filters toxins from the blood to be neutralized and excreted. If the liver becomes congested it can lead to toxins returning back into the bloodstream. Impeding the detoxification system can lead to many complications and symptoms of toxicity in addition to accelerating aging and encouraging the potential for degenerative diseases.
These internal systems work in conjunction with one another and the health of the entire body relies on the careful balance of each system and their ability to work together. The innovative and complimentary treatment strategies of functional medicine can rebalance the body, restoring it to optimal health and ensuring it stays there.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TESTING
Bewellbeing are proud to offer the highest quality functional medical testing and analysis available. Bewellbeing compose a deeply detailed, personalised profile of you through a spectrum of predictive and diagnostic tests that determine metabolic function, genetic uniqueness and biological markers that identify current health status as well as uncover any risk factors at their earliest stages. Several testing options are available, from complete blood work to more innovative and investigative testing methods:
Amino Acid Profile: Determines essential amino acid imbalances that affect both physical and mental function. Includes all the essential amino acids and their breakdown products.
Nutrient & Toxic Elements Profile: Identifies the toxic burden, which can render considerable damage to the brain and nervous system as well as sufficiency of nutrient elements.
Fatty Acid Profile: Fatty acid balance can impact on health and development.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins Profile: Measures fat-soluble vitamin levels – COQ10, Vitamins A, E, and D to reflect antioxidant status.
Lipid Peroxides Profile: Indicative of whole body free radical activity.
Antioxidant Status Profile: Measures oxidative damage at a cellular level, indicative of antioxidant status.
Homocysteine Profile: Risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, chronic disease conditions.
Organic Acids Profile: Reveals the nutritional and metabolic basis of symptoms including energy cycle intermediates, B vitamins, neurotransmitters, detoxification and gut bacterial markers.
Hormone Profiles: Full male and female hormone panel.
Estrogen Ratios: Measures ratios of specific estrogen metabolites which may initiate and promote hormone related cancers.
Gastro Intestinal Stool Profiles: Identifies bacteria, parasites, fungal/yeast levels. Measures primary gut immune defense Secretory IgA
IgG4 Food Antibodies Profile: Using the ELISA sandwich method the IgG4 (subset 4) Food Antibodies Profile is a more selective and clinically relevant marker of chronic food-immune reactions and possible intestinal permeability. IgG4 is less likely to produce false-positive allowing for more targeted and relevant results.
Cardion Cardiovascular Health Profile: Includes: amino acid profile, fatty acid balance, organic acids (metabolic functions)
Plaq Profile: Assesses risk for both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke through the measurement of Lp-PLA2 a vascular specific inflammatory enzyme which is implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque.
All the above tests can be included as a package or taken individually.
Laboratory testing services, analysis and supplement costs are not included in the initial consultation fee.
Test results are analysed in depth to reveal your unique and absolutely accurate health profile which is then used to determine a bespoke treatment protocol. Your treatment protocol will encompass a detailed dietary and appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement program. Other integrative healing modalities such as homeopathy and hormone balancing may be included if indicated in the test results in order to achieve the most beneficial results possible for you.
HORMONE BALANCING
Diagnosis and measurement of hormonal dysfunction is a very delicate science. Functional medicine knows the most important evaluations to make and integrative treatment approaches to apply in order to re balance hormone levels and aid the body in adapting to stress. In modern society we are constantly exposed to toxins and chemicals that negatively affect health and hormone function. Xenoestrogens, parabens, poor detoxification, stress, lack of sleep and nutritional imbalances all contribute to hormone disruption and metabolic derangement. Hormones are designed to operate synergystically and their relationships with each other are vitally important, as an excess of one hormone can suppress another. The functional medicine approach to returning the body to an optimally balanced state is through a careful compilation of dietary modifications, nutraceutical supplementation, bio identical hormone therapy, botanical treatments and other lifestyle changes in order to optimize hormone function as naturally as possible and to find the safest and most successful strategy for long term health. All forms of stress, physiological, psychological and emotional are direct antecedent triggers and mediators of hormonal dysfunction. The innovative and complimentary treatment strategies from Bewellbeing target physical, emotional and psychological sources of stress and equip you with practical tools for stress relief.