Functional Medicine
General overview
Functional medicine is a systemic approach to the individual that focuses on identifying the origin of the disorder and fighting the root cause of the disease.
It is based on the evolution of research in nutritional, genomic and epigenetic science.
Main objectives of the method
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The aim of functional medicine is to restore a balance at the biochemical level.
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It starts from an evaluation of biochemical disorders, inflammations, intoxications, mitochondrial insufficiency, insufficient protein synthesis, etc., which can be carried out on the basis of laboratory tests and/or very detailed medical questionnaires.
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It then proposes dietary adaptations, lifestyle changes, various types of nutritional supplements to make up for deficiencies and fight against intoxications or insufficiencies.
Specificities of the method
Patients are required to undergo a series of medical examinations and complete several questionnaires, focusing particularly on diet and potential exposure to certain toxins. A nutritional program, dietary supplements, and potentially a sports program or sleep exercises, are indicated to improve body balance.
Functional medicine professionals define themselves according to these 5 principles:
"1) Functional medicine considers us all different; genetically and biochemically unique. This personalized health care treats the individual, not the disease. It supports the body's normal healing mechanisms, naturally, rather than directly attacking disease.
2) Functional medicine is based on science. The latest research shows us that what happens inside us is connected in a complicated network or web of relationships. Understanding these relationships allows us to see deeply into how the body works.
3) Your body is intelligent and has the capacity for self-regulation, which is expressed through a dynamic balance of all your body systems.
4) Your body has the ability to heal and prevent almost all diseases of aging.
5) Health is not only the absence of disease, but a state of immense vitality."
Who is this method for ?
Patients suffering from digestive problems, intolerances, neuro-hormonal problems, intoxications, inflammations...
Numerous studies have highlighted the biochemical disorders of neuro-atypic children. For example, analyses of ASD patients reveal under-methylation (>95%), stress-oxidative (>85%), excess copper, zinc deficiency, hypersensitivity to toxic metals, weakness of the immune and digestive systems, particularly intolerance to certain proteins such as casein, gluten under inflammation...
Functional medicine can thus prove useful in order to act on the restoration of good performance at the biochemical, cellular and molecular level.
What parents say about it
"In my practical FP studies, I was extremely frustrated by the lack of improvement in the majority of patients. »
"As a person with myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome), I can tell you first-hand that consulting a functional physician was the best thing I've done so far. Everything is based on biochemistry and molecular biology. I find it very fascinating, but of course I wish I hadn't had to be in this situation in the first place. Personally, I don't believe that functional medicine should be called "alternative medicine". »
Scientific references
Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care With Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6822085/
"This study suggests that the functional medicine model of care may have beneficial and long-lasting links to improved quality of daily life for patients, as measured by the PROMIS GPH and GMH scores. The use of PROMIS measures can provide timely information about a patient's overall health and could improve chronic disease management. »
Form Follows Function: A Functional Medicine Overview
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5101104/
"The practice of functional medicine highlights these four essential components
Listen to the patient explain their views on their illness at the time of initial admission.
Assess, prioritize and focus on modifiable lifestyle factors.
Organize the patient's clinical imbalances by underlying causes within a systems biology matrix framework; and
Create a therapeutic partnership between doctor and patient.
Functional medicine applies to all health care disciplines and specialties, all of which can apply this approach using the Functional Medicine Matrix Model as a model for organizing data and discovering new knowledge. The operating system and approach of functional medicine builds an interdisciplinary model and provides effective clinical tools to prevent, treat and reverse complex chronic diseases. »
Any remarks or comments ?
This work is based on a collaborative approach to sharing research and family experience.
If you have any comments, suggestions for modifications or corrections or clarifications to make, please let us know by email at contact@leneurogroupe.org