What is health anyway? Is health merely the absence of disease? Are you healthy just because you don't have symptoms? Or does real health go a little deeper than that?
According to our modern allopathic medical system, each symptom of disease exists in isolation - and each bodily system is treated as separate from the others. This is what doctors learn in medical school - to diagnose "disease" via symptoms, and prescribe medications to treat these specific symptoms.
If you have a skin rash, you are sent to a doctor (dermatologist) who deals specifically with skin rashes. If you have digestive or stomach problems, you see a gastroenterologist. If you have heart problems, you are sent to see a cardiologist.
But what if all these symptoms were actually related?
With the conventional approach, rather than finding the root problem and addressing it, you would instead think you suffered from three different maladies and would likely end up on (at least) three different drugs!
On the other hand, holistic approaches to health - such as Functional Medicine - actually address the patient as a whole. ALL of your symptoms are considered together, and treatment is tailored to each individual's unique needs - rather than standardized "treatments" being used to treat specific symptoms separately. Functional Medicine doctors are trained to "treat people, not diseases," according to author and Functional Medicine doctor, Mark Hyman.
Addressing the entire spectrum of health is understandably more involved and time-consuming than simply focusing on one particular symptom or disease, but if you want to achieve truly balanced health and wellness, there are 7 key areas that you will need to address - both on your own as an individual, and with your doctor.
According to our modern allopathic medical system, each symptom of disease exists in isolation - and each bodily system is treated as separate from the others. This is what doctors learn in medical school - to diagnose "disease" via symptoms, and prescribe medications to treat these specific symptoms.
If you have a skin rash, you are sent to a doctor (dermatologist) who deals specifically with skin rashes. If you have digestive or stomach problems, you see a gastroenterologist. If you have heart problems, you are sent to see a cardiologist.
But what if all these symptoms were actually related?
With the conventional approach, rather than finding the root problem and addressing it, you would instead think you suffered from three different maladies and would likely end up on (at least) three different drugs!
On the other hand, holistic approaches to health - such as Functional Medicine - actually address the patient as a whole. ALL of your symptoms are considered together, and treatment is tailored to each individual's unique needs - rather than standardized "treatments" being used to treat specific symptoms separately. Functional Medicine doctors are trained to "treat people, not diseases," according to author and Functional Medicine doctor, Mark Hyman.
Addressing the entire spectrum of health is understandably more involved and time-consuming than simply focusing on one particular symptom or disease, but if you want to achieve truly balanced health and wellness, there are 7 key areas that you will need to address - both on your own as an individual, and with your doctor.
Here are the most important aspects of true holistic health and wellness, according to Dr. Hyman:
Key #1: Optimize Nutrition
You've probably heard the saying, "you are what you eat." Every bodily system requires specific raw materials for optimal function, and if you aren't eating enough of the right things (or are eating too much of the wrong things), you are doing your body a disservice.
Most people in the modern world suffer from some form of nutritional imbalance - despite (or perhaps because of?) the nearly limitless supply and variety of food we are surrounded with every day.
Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, protein, fats, and carbohydrates are all necessary elements of good nutrition, and must be consumed in the right forms and quantities in order to ensure optimal health - both physical and mental. (See this post for some simple tips for eating better without counting calories or stressing about food.)
Key #2: Balance Your Hormones
This is one aspect that is rarely addressed by modern medicine - except in cases of extreme imbalance and disease. Your body produces hundreds of different hormones - all with their own specific functions to perform within the body. If any of them are "out of whack" it can cause a chain reaction, throwing many of your bodily systems into chaos. You need all of your various hormones to work in harmony together in order for you to be truly healthy.
Key #3: Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is another major problem that is rarely addressed by conventional doctors - and it is a hugely common issue in today's world. Everything from poor diet, to toxins in the environment (cigarette smoke, smog, & other air pollutants), to chronic stress causes inflammation throughout the body, which has now been linked to almost every chronic disease - including psychiatric disorders and neurological conditions. Reducing chronic inflammation is one of the most important keys to achieving holistic health.
Key #4: Fix Your Digestion
The gut is another area where imbalance is common in the Western world. More discoveries are happening almost every day about how important gut bacteria is to our overall health. From inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's, to chronic pain conditions, to poor oral health, and even mental issues such as depression and addiction, there is evidence that imbalanced gut bacteria may be at least partially to blame.
Your digestive system not only has to properly digest and assimilate the nutrients you consume, it also has to protect you from pathogens and allergens, and eliminate waste. Making sure this bodily system is in tip-top shape can go a long way towards ensuring good health in all areas.
Key #5: Support Detoxification
The toxic load most of us face on a daily basis in today's world is so much more overwhelming than most of us realize. There are toxins just about everywhere - in our food (pesticide residues, artificial additives, improperly processed oils, etc.), water (more pesticide residues, drug residues, and more), air (smog, smoke, offgassing, cleaning product fumes, etc.), and homes.
Obviously it is impossible to avoid all of these, though you can take steps to lower your exposure by making thoughtful and informed choices in all of these areas. But you also need to do all that you can to support your body's natural detoxification processes and keep them functioning optimally.
Key #6: Boost Energy Metabolism
Life is energy. Every cell in your body will continue to produce energy until you die. However, the process can be impaired by any of the above areas being out of balance. Making sure that your metabolic engine is running smoothly ensures that your body will successfully continue to extract energy from the food you eat and the air you breathe for a longer period of time. (In fact, some believe that we could potentially live forever if we didn't lose our ability to metabolize energy!)
Key #7: Find Your Inner Calm
To wrap it up, this quote from Dr. Hyman says it all:
"The overwhelming stresses of the 21st century, including social isolation, over work, and disempowerment create enormous stresses on our nervous system leading to burnout and breakdown. A life of meaning and purpose, a life in balance with connection, community, love, support, and a sense of empowerment are essential for health."
If we were to successfully treat the imbalances in each of these seven areas, there is no doubt that we would see a reversal of virtually all of the chronic modern diseases that plague our population today - including mental issues like the epidemic of depression and depressive disorders which have become so rampant in recent years.
Don't settle for the easy route of just "popping a pill" if you are suffering from unpleasant health symptoms - because that's all your doctor tells you to do. You're certainly not doing any favors for your long-term health and longevity. Instead, take the time to carefully address each of the key areas above, and make positive changes. Your body - and those who love you and want you around for as long as possible - will thank you!
If you would like to learn more about Functional Medicine, or find a Functional Medicine doctor in your area, visit the Institute for Functional Medicine and click on "Find a Practitioner."
To your health and wellness,
Rose.
Key #1: Optimize Nutrition
You've probably heard the saying, "you are what you eat." Every bodily system requires specific raw materials for optimal function, and if you aren't eating enough of the right things (or are eating too much of the wrong things), you are doing your body a disservice.
Most people in the modern world suffer from some form of nutritional imbalance - despite (or perhaps because of?) the nearly limitless supply and variety of food we are surrounded with every day.
Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, protein, fats, and carbohydrates are all necessary elements of good nutrition, and must be consumed in the right forms and quantities in order to ensure optimal health - both physical and mental. (See this post for some simple tips for eating better without counting calories or stressing about food.)
Key #2: Balance Your Hormones
This is one aspect that is rarely addressed by modern medicine - except in cases of extreme imbalance and disease. Your body produces hundreds of different hormones - all with their own specific functions to perform within the body. If any of them are "out of whack" it can cause a chain reaction, throwing many of your bodily systems into chaos. You need all of your various hormones to work in harmony together in order for you to be truly healthy.
Key #3: Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is another major problem that is rarely addressed by conventional doctors - and it is a hugely common issue in today's world. Everything from poor diet, to toxins in the environment (cigarette smoke, smog, & other air pollutants), to chronic stress causes inflammation throughout the body, which has now been linked to almost every chronic disease - including psychiatric disorders and neurological conditions. Reducing chronic inflammation is one of the most important keys to achieving holistic health.
Key #4: Fix Your Digestion
The gut is another area where imbalance is common in the Western world. More discoveries are happening almost every day about how important gut bacteria is to our overall health. From inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's, to chronic pain conditions, to poor oral health, and even mental issues such as depression and addiction, there is evidence that imbalanced gut bacteria may be at least partially to blame.
Your digestive system not only has to properly digest and assimilate the nutrients you consume, it also has to protect you from pathogens and allergens, and eliminate waste. Making sure this bodily system is in tip-top shape can go a long way towards ensuring good health in all areas.
Key #5: Support Detoxification
The toxic load most of us face on a daily basis in today's world is so much more overwhelming than most of us realize. There are toxins just about everywhere - in our food (pesticide residues, artificial additives, improperly processed oils, etc.), water (more pesticide residues, drug residues, and more), air (smog, smoke, offgassing, cleaning product fumes, etc.), and homes.
Obviously it is impossible to avoid all of these, though you can take steps to lower your exposure by making thoughtful and informed choices in all of these areas. But you also need to do all that you can to support your body's natural detoxification processes and keep them functioning optimally.
Key #6: Boost Energy Metabolism
Life is energy. Every cell in your body will continue to produce energy until you die. However, the process can be impaired by any of the above areas being out of balance. Making sure that your metabolic engine is running smoothly ensures that your body will successfully continue to extract energy from the food you eat and the air you breathe for a longer period of time. (In fact, some believe that we could potentially live forever if we didn't lose our ability to metabolize energy!)
Key #7: Find Your Inner Calm
To wrap it up, this quote from Dr. Hyman says it all:
"The overwhelming stresses of the 21st century, including social isolation, over work, and disempowerment create enormous stresses on our nervous system leading to burnout and breakdown. A life of meaning and purpose, a life in balance with connection, community, love, support, and a sense of empowerment are essential for health."
If we were to successfully treat the imbalances in each of these seven areas, there is no doubt that we would see a reversal of virtually all of the chronic modern diseases that plague our population today - including mental issues like the epidemic of depression and depressive disorders which have become so rampant in recent years.
Don't settle for the easy route of just "popping a pill" if you are suffering from unpleasant health symptoms - because that's all your doctor tells you to do. You're certainly not doing any favors for your long-term health and longevity. Instead, take the time to carefully address each of the key areas above, and make positive changes. Your body - and those who love you and want you around for as long as possible - will thank you!
If you would like to learn more about Functional Medicine, or find a Functional Medicine doctor in your area, visit the Institute for Functional Medicine and click on "Find a Practitioner."
To your health and wellness,
Rose.
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