Functional medicine and functional nutrition

You hear a clattering noise in the engine of your car. Picture these two "fixes":

• Turn up the radio really loud so you don't hear the noise.
• Take the car in to have the engine looked at and repair what is found.

Both scenarios made the noise go away, right? Which is better for the car?

The loud radio made the symptom (the noise) go away. But ask yourself:

• Did it fix the problem?
• What happens when you ignore the noise?
• How is the "noise" impacting other parts of the engine?

This is one of the fundamental differences between conventional medicine and functional medicine.

Conventional medicine tends to manage the disease instead of addressing the underlying cause. Prescriptions are written to alleviate symptoms without trying to understand why the symptoms came about. Often times disregarded, is the impact of these drugs on other systems of the body as well. This kind of treatment often overlooks the overall physical, mental and social health of the patient.

Functional medicine is a patient centered approach that looks at the whole person, not just isolated parts and their symptoms. It acknowledges that the organs and systems of the human body are complexly intertwined and closely related. It seeks to find out why the symptoms are happening instead of just treating them.

Functional medicine acknowledges that genes, environment, diet, activity, thoughts and beliefs contribute to the uniqueness of an individual. It recognizes the biochemical individuality of patients. In diagnosis, tests are performed to evaluate organ function as opposed to pathology diagnosis. Functional testing challenges the body's systems and then evaluates how the body responds.

Functional nutrition therapy is a critical part of this approach. Focusing on the underlying biochemistry, nutrition therapy can be used to modify the body's biological responses. Nutrients act as precursors for innate biochemistry in the body. Specific types and amounts of nutrients can facilitate or even stimulate physiologic function. Individualized nutrient therapy can produce desirable effects.

Functional nutritional therapy can include food, nutritional supplements, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications. The more comprehensive picture of a patient's life we obtain, the more we can guide them toward lifestyle changes that can have beneficial effects on their health. This has proven especially effective with chronic diseases.

Individualized treatment will continue to grow as we learn more about the relationship between genetics and nutrition.

There is a wide spectrum from optimal wellness to acute illness. The idea of functional medicine is to look at even minor imbalances of the body and determine their cause. By early intervention, function and vitality can be improved and maintained.

Functional medicine and functional nutrition are the wave of the future. Registered Dietitians are uniquely qualified to lead the way. Assure you are ready for this emerging type of health care by educating yourself now on functional nutrition concepts.