I’m trained to use the Functional Medicine (FM) model in my personalised nutrition practice with clients. Functional Medicine is a preventative, proactive, client-centered approach, which takes into account the client’s complete health and family history, biochemical individuality, lifestyle as well as cultural, social and ethical factors. In terms of illnesses, FM strives to understand the underlying causes and any physiological imbalances that are at the root of the symptoms that the individual is presenting with.

While conventional medicine aims to pharmaceutically manage symptoms of a labelled disease, often in a “one-size-fits-all” manner, FM practitioners dig deeper into root causes by assessing and addressing the individual’s functional imbalances, environmental inputs and genetic predisposition, and their mutual interactions. Since all body systems and functions (digestion, absorption, energy production, defence, detoxification, communication and transport) are interconnected and form complex networks of interactions within the body, any environmental factor, whether harmful or helpful, will create a cascade of interrelated physiological responses. In chronic disease, almost always one or more of these functions has been declining for a relatively long period of time, creating functional imbalances before a full-blown disease develops.

After a thorough assessment, including a full personal and family medical history and potential laboratory testing, clients are offered nutritional and lifestyle advice, based on the most up-to-date research available. By using dietary and lifestyle interventions that address the root causes, it may be possible to restore balance in any of the challenged functional areas and ultimately prevent, or even reverse, disease. The fundamental aspects of FM are represented in the Functional Medicine tree in the following figure.

The Functional Medicine Tree – For the tree to flourish, it’s necessary to look after its foundation (roots), the most basic elements of health. When the roots are influenced by predisposing genetic factors (‘antecedents’), events that provoke dysfunction (‘triggers’) and others that promote ongoing physiological processes (‘mediators’), it can lead to functional imbalances. If these imbalances are not corrected, it eventually leads to signs, symptoms and disease. However, by using lifestyle interventions that address the root causes, it is possible to restore balance in any of the challenged functional areas and ultimately prevent, or even reverse, disease.

GENES load the gun – the ENVIROMENT pulls the trigger!

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