FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Functional medicine is an integrative, science-based healthcare system that treats illness and promotes wellness in a different way from conventional medicine. The approach in functional medicine is to focus first on assessing the biochemically unique aspects of each patient, and to then employ an individually tailored intervention to restore balance to the patient - physiologically, psychologically and structurally. The value of the functional medicine approach is its cost effectiveness and the high rate of patient compliance with treatment. Two of the driving forces behind functional medicine are Jeffrey Bland, PhD, President of Healthcomm International, Inc., and Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories.

Functional medicine addresses four primary functions in the body and seeks to bring each into balance:

• Nutrition and Digestion
• Detoxification and Elimination
• Immune function
• Endocrine (hormonal) function

Functional medicine evaluates the following major symptom categories:

• Fatigue
• Pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Skin problems
• Immune problems
• Mental and emotional/behavioral problems
• Reproductive health
• Syndrome X
• The process of optimal aging

As an example of the value of functional medicine, consider the following. Choosing which supplements to take to maintain optimal health is a daunting task even for someone with training in natural healthcare. Functional medicine uses noninvasive, specialized laboratory tests that can show which supplements and substances are indicated to support optimal functioning of the body's many systems - systems that come under stress from the environment, lifestyle or genetics. Many of these tests are listed below.

The following information will help in understanding the difference between the Conventional Clinical Approach and the Functional Medicine approach:

Conventional Clinical Approach	Functional Medicine Approach
Focuses on the illness or disease itself - not on the underlying causes leading to it.	Focuses on suboptimal functioning of the body's systems as the underlying cause of illness and disease.
Focuses on how the patient compares to the "average."	Focuses on the biochemical individuality of the patient.
Treatment focuses on suppressing the signs and symptoms of an illness, not on eliminating its causes.	Treatment focuses on correcting the functional imbalances that can cause illness.
Views the organ systems and functions as isolated and acting alone.	Considers the interconnectedness of the organ systems and functions. Considers genetic triggers and mediators (hormones) of body function
Conventional Laboratory Testing	Functional Laboratory Testing
Lab tests focus on pathology - the disease. Tests are not useful until disease is present.	Lab tests focus on suboptimal functioning. Tests are useful before disease can be identified.
Lab results identify "what" symptoms are occurring.	Lab results identify "why" symptoms are occurring.
Lab results identify a single cause.	Lab results identify the interrelationships among the causes.
Symptoms are separated from one another.	Symptoms are viewed in relationship to one another.
Lab results are compared to the "average" for the population.	Lab results are compared to what is "normal" for the individual.
Lab results are numerical data only.	Lab results are graphical data together with numerical values.
Lab results are used only as a clinical tool.	Lab results are used as a clinical tool and to educate the patient.
The results, which show "what," are not link to the therapeutic treatment.	The results, which show "why," act as a guideline for therapeutic treatment.

 

List below are common laboratory tests used in functional medicine to assess current health.

(1) Antioxidant Checkup (Oxidative Stress Test)
(2) Bone Checkup (Bone Resorption Test)
(3)Detoxification Checkup (Liver Detoxification Profile)
(4) Digestive Checkup (Intestinal Permeability Test) & (CDSA Test)
(5) Female Checkup (Female Hormone Profile)
(6) Male Checkup (Male Hormone Profile)
(7) Mineral Checkup (Elemental Analysis Hair)
(8) Sleep Checkup (Melatonin Profile)
(9) Stress Checkup (Adrenocortex Stress Profile)

(1) Antioxidant Checkup (Oxidative Stress Test)

An adequate reserve antioxidants is necessary to defend against free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable chemical molecules that affect the cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory and immune systems. Free radicals produce lipid peroxides that can be measured to indicate the status of antioxidant levels. In addition, depleted glutathione and superoxide dismutase reserves can be ascertained.
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(2) Bone Checkup (Bone Resorption Test)

This can be an especially useful test for post-menopausal women who are at high risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures. A simple urine specimen can reveal bone breakdown before conventional methods. A chemical called deoxypyridinium is the marker measured to determine bone loss.
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(3) Detoxification Checkup (Liver Detoxification Profile)

This test shows how well the liver eliminates toxins from the body by testing the function of phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways. Inefficiency of the liver's ability to remove toxins can lead to allergies, inflammatory joint disease, neurological diseases and fibromyalgia. This is a combination test. Specimens of saliva and urine are collected after the patient consumes caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen which challenges the multiple detoxification pathways of the liver.
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(4) Digestive Checkup (Intestinal Permeability Test) & (CDSA Test)

Intestinal Permeability Test: A high degree of intestinal permeability has been linked to many chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and failure to thrive. A patient's urine is tested after consuming two simple sugars. Based on the absolute and relative amounts of sugar in the urine, the test indicates either malabsorption problems or leaky gut syndrome.

The CDSA (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis) utilizes a stool sample to determine digestive function, the presence of normal levels of helpful bacteria and the presence of pathogenic bacteria and parasites. It also tests for specific markers that have been linked to high risk cancers such as breast cancer and colon cancer.
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(5) Female Checkup (Female Hormone Profile)

Maintaining balanced hormone levels is essential for optimal menstrual cycles and maintenance of bone and cardiovascular health. Using saliva samples, the test assesses levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.
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(6) Male Checkup (Male Hormone Profile)

Proper levels of male hormones helps strengthen bone and muscle tissue, improves thinking ability, heightens energy levels and increases sex drive. Using saliva samples, the test assesses levels of testosterone and DHEA.
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(7) Mineral Checkup (Elemental Analysis Hair)

Essential minerals are factors in cellular function and are necessary for the body’s structural and metabolic processes, in particular, enzyme reactions. Toxic minerals can affect many areas. They can damage brain function and activity, cause kidney damage and cause symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, insulin resistance and digestive problems. This test monitors fifteen essential minerals and twelve toxic minerals. The essential minerals include calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, boron, iodine, lithium, rubidium, selenium, sulfur, and vanadium. The toxic minerals include aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, thallium, tin, and uranium.
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(8) Sleep Checkup (Melatonin Profile)

A saliva sample measures melatonin levels. Low levels of melatonin may cause low body temperature, prevent ovulation, poor cardiovascular health and immune disorders.
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(9) Stress Checkup (Adrenocortex Stress Profile)

Four saliva samples taken during the course of the day measure DHEA and cortisol levels. These two hormones are directly involved in the body’s resistance to stress, as well as cardiovascular function, modulating thyroid function and immune system response.
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