Functional medicine: a tried and tested concept

Functional medicine is still in its infancy in Europe. The situation is quite different in the USA - a country that is several years ahead of us when it comes to chronic diseases. Americans have been fat for longer than us Europeans. But that's not all. Many things that we in Europe enthusiastically welcome for reasons of convenience or economic efficiency have been used there for years - and bring with them a flood of inflammation-related diseases. The conventional American "healthcare" system does not catch all these long-term illnesses - which is certainly one reason why functional medicine was able to gain a foothold there earlier than in this country. In the States, there are now entire clinics of Functional Medicine practitioners who work hand in hand with coaches like me to help their clients/patients make the choices that will get their lives back on a healthier track.

Functional medicine is individual medicine

A central aspect of functional medicine is the focus on people as individuals. Every person is unique and has a variety of factors that influence their health. This includes genetic predispositions, lifestyle, dietary habits and the psychosocial environment. Functional medicine allows each patient to be considered as an individual, and therefore enables treatment strategies and interventions to be tailored to their specific needs.

Functional medicine is causal medicine

Functional medicine is characterized by the eternal question of "why" - the search for the root cause, i.e. the root of a disease or complaint. Why does a person become ill with their individual set of genes, their individual life and health history and their individual living environment? Which lifestyle factors lead to this clinical picture. And above all - how do they relate to each other? What influences well-being or the chance of recovery in a positive or negative way? Functional medicine refrains from dividing the body into individual systems, but sees it as a large unit and recognizes the interactions between the individual systems. Functional medicine always considers the person as a whole - health or illness, which can be translated so beautifully as dis-ease, i.e. not feeling well, are the result of many different components. Not only genetics, but also factors such as nutrition, so-called "primary foods", namely psycho-emotional factors, exercise, toxicity, etc. play a decisive role in whether we feel well or unwell, healthy or ill, full of energy or lethargic, enthusiastic or stressed as we go about our daily tasks. An essential aspect of functional medicine is the approach of epigenetics - our daily decisions influence the expression of our genes - we decide on the basis of our everyday decisions and actions whether our genes are activated or not and thus have a direct influence on all relevant systems. Be it the hormonal system, the immune system, the nervous system, digestion, metabolism or our ability to detoxify!

Functional medicine is holistic medicine

Functional medicine combines the best elements of conventional and alternative medicine to create a new, optimal version of medicine. It is based on a holistic approach to support the optimal function of all body systems and organs and uses state-of-the-art laboratory tests to identify the possible causes of your symptoms and offer solutions, such as

• Micronutrient supply and general nutritional status
• Gut health and the microbiome
• Pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, yeast fungi (Candida) and viruses
• Environmental pollution such as mycotoxins, chemicals and heavy metals
• Detoxification
• Metabolism and hormones
• Inflammation and immune function
• Mitochondrial health and energy production
• Epigenetics
• Stress physiology
• Neuronal health

Functional medicine is data-based medicine

In addition to a detailed, systematized symptom analysis and consideration of the health history, functional medicine uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to obtain as detailed a picture as possible of the possible causes of the malaise, but above all to identify the central factors that promise the greatest potential for positive change. For this purpose, not only blood values, but also stool, urine and saliva samples are used to obtain detailed information, e.g. on individual genetics, metabolic regulation, nutrient deficiencies, food intolerances, detoxification capacity, mitochoendrial function, toxicity, hormones, neurotransmitters and much more.

Functional medicine is preventive medicine

Another important aspect of functional medicine is the emphasis on prevention and proactive health promotion. Rather than waiting until symptoms appear and become severe enough to make appropriate diagnoses, this approach aims to identify health imbalances in advance and take appropriate action to prevent them. This can be done through education, regular health checks and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Overall, functional medicine enables people to make informed decisions about their health and increase their sense of control over their well-being.

Functional medicine is lifestyle medicine

Once existing imbalances and individual weaknesses, but also strengths, have been identified, all body systems can be optimized within the framework of functional medicine through targeted lifestyle and nutritional interventions in order to create the basis for optimal health and performance - and this from any starting position: whether young or old, sick or healthy - health optimization is always possible!

Functional medicine is medicine at eye level

Another special feature of Functional Medicine is its focus on the partnership between patient/client and therapist - health can only be achieved if the patient/client sees him/herself as responsible - is prepared to change things in his/her life that are not good for him/her. Functional medicine does not heal through medication alone - it does not prescribe a pill for the ailment. It shows ways that can lead to an improvement in health - but this presupposes that the customer/patient is also prepared to follow them. At this point, it also becomes clear why coaches like me play such a central role in this model - behavioral change is not easy and a simple prescription by the treating physician is simply not sufficient due to the complexity and extent of the changes that these changes bring about in the client's everyday life. In this model, the functional doctor sets the goal - the coach works with the client to find ways to achieve this goal in the long term. The coach listens to concerns and difficulties and is ready with ideas and solutions when things get difficult. He informs, inspires and enables his clients to tackle the changes that are so important to them so that it does not remain just another theoretical treatment plan, but the doctor and patient achieve the result that they have set themselves together.

Differences between conventional medicine and functional medicine

Conventional medicine, often referred to as conventional medical treatment, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It uses standardized treatment protocols and medication to alleviate or eliminate symptoms. The focus is often on improving health in the short term, while the underlying causes of the diseases are not always adequately addressed. This means that patients may be taking multiple medications to treat symptoms without knowing the root cause of their ailments. Due to the interconnectedness of all systems in the body, failure to address the root cause and treat symptoms with medication can lead to situations where symptoms are alleviated but the overall health situation is worsened - which can of course lead to new symptoms in the long term.

In contrast, functional medicine takes an integrative approach that focuses on identifying and treating the causes of disease. This approach views the body as a complex system in which all parts are interconnected. Functional medicine aims to identify the underlying imbalances and correct them through targeted measures such as dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes and natural therapies. This method not only promotes the healing of existing ailments, but also overall health and well-being.

The role of nutrition and lifestyle in functional medicine

Nutrition and lifestyle play a central role in functional medicine. Dietary intake has a direct impact on health and well-being. A balanced diet rich in nutrients can help reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system and improve overall health. In functional medicine, the patient is encouraged to develop healthy eating habits based on natural, unprocessed foods, eliminating (individual) food triggers and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

In addition, lifestyle is considered a decisive factor for health. Regular physical activity, muscle building, adequate sleep and effective stress management are essential elements of a healthy lifestyle. Functional medicine promotes the integration of movement into everyday life, whether through sport, yoga or other forms of physical activity. These activities not only contribute to physical health, but also to improving emotional well-being.

Stress management is another important aspect of functional medicine. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of health problems and in today's world is linked to the development of almost every chronic illness and the symptoms that accompany (or precede) it - either as a primary cause or as an amplifier of the problematic dynamic. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises are recommended in functional medicine to reduce stress and promote emotional balance.

Functional medicine - how does it work?

Functional medicine works through a systematic approach that aims to identify and treat the underlying causes of disease. The process usually begins with a detailed symptom history, in which the patient's medical history, lifestyle habits, environmental factors and existing diagnoses and diagnostics are recorded and analyzed. This makes it possible to identify potential risk factors and imbalances that may contribute to health problems.

After taking a medical history, a comprehensive diagnosis is usually carried out, which can include various tests and examinations. These include blood tests, allergy tests, hormone tests, microbiome analyses, metabolic analyses, toxin analyses, genetic analyses and many more. These tests help to identify specific biochemical imbalances or dysfunctions in the body. Based on these results, an individual treatment plan can be developed that is tailored to the specific needs of the patient.

The treatment plan may include a variety of interventions, including dietary adjustments, nutritional supplements, exercise and sports elements and stress management techniques. The focus is on increasing resilience on as many levels as possible to enable the body to heal and restore optimal balance. This is done not only by treating symptoms, but by promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting the body's natural resilience.

Conclusion: The benefits of functional medicine for holistic well-being

In summary, functional medicine offers a holistic and individualized approach to promoting wellness and treating illness. By focusing on the root causes of health problems and taking into account the unique circumstances of each patient, this approach promotes a better understanding of one's own health and encourages active involvement in the healing process. The emphasis on prevention and proactive measures helps to avoid illness and sustainably improve quality of life.

Functional medicine offers numerous benefits, including personalized treatment plans, an integrative approach to healthcare and the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices. This method enables people to make informed decisions about their health and actively work on their well-being. By considering the connections between physical, emotional and social factors, functional medicine creates a comprehensive understanding of health.

At a time when many people are looking for alternative approaches to improve their health, functional medicine offers a promising solution. By combining science, proven intervention protocols, functional diagnostics and individualized, intensive care, patients can regain control of their health and lead a full, healthy life.