April 2019
Introducing: The Importance of Functional Medicine
Written by Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
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Nutritional Consultant – 86th Street • InVite® Health
Allie Might is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who chose this path to fulfill her passion of nutrition and to teach individuals preventative measures against diseases, and how to gain energy and maintain a healthy weight. Allie received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and has obtained Continuing Education Units from Purchase College, State University of New York. Allie is passionate about cleansing and detoxification and loves helping clients achieve their ideal weight with ease. Email Allie: AMight@invitehealth.com |
Have you ever wanted to be able to do more? That was exactly my thought this past summer as I spent time working with so many clients with a variety of ailments. I wanted to be able to help them reach their health and wellness goals more efficiently and help them feel better. I wanted more than addressing a specific health issue or helping people to lose weight.
I've been a Health Coach for almost nine years now and was ready to take my knowledge to the next level to better inspire people on their personal wellness journey. This is when I started looking into going back to school and researching the best education and program for me. I decided on Functional Medicine and enrolled in the School of Applied Functional Medicine.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is the study of the root cause of disease. For example, if a client is looking for something to help with headaches (instead of just addressing the headache) I will look to figure out what may be causing the headaches and work on that issue, rather than only treating the headache itself. Some root causes of the headache could be a deficiency, an allergy or intolerance, or even stress.
What does a consultation with a Functional Medicine Coach look like?
When we have a consultation together, we will address many different areas of your overall health. We will go over your goals, lifestyle, diet, health concerns and current lab reports from your doctor (if you have them readily available). We will discuss topics such as supplements and/or medications you are currently taking, hormones, stress levels, digestion, allergies/intolerances and detoxification. We will formulate a plan unique to your history and needs, as we start to figure out the root cause of the issue(s) you are experiencing. I may recommend diet changes and supplements to, not just support this issue at hand, but figure out what seems to be the root cause of the issue.
What supplements do I typically recommend for overall wellness and why?
When it comes to supplementation, there are a few supplements that I normally recommend clients to take as part of a healthy regimen. While there are sometimes unique exceptions, I feel just about everyone could benefit by taking a Multivitamin, an Omega-3 such as Fish Oil, and a Probiotic. All other supplementation should be recommended based on the individual’s needs and goals.
According to an article from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, taking a multivitamin is like having an extra insurance policy.1 A superior multivitamin mineral formula helps to supplement what one is missing from their diet. You want to look for a comprehensive formula where you not only get vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but specific ingredients like Coenzyme Q10 to support energy and metabolism. Superior multivitamins contain ingredients that will help to combat nutrient depletions and inadequate levels of essential nutrients in the body.†
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential part of a healthy diet, consisting of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Studies have shown that omega-3's have incredible anti-inflammatory properties. When we have too much inflammation in our bodies, “it can increase our risk of developing chronic illness, including, but not limited to cardiovascular disease.”2 The DHA component of the omega-3 can be helpful for the health of our brains. We've learned that taking DHA can help improve memory and lower the risk of Alzheimer's Disease.2†
In the Functional Medicine world we believe that illness and disease can be traced back to gut health. This is why we feel it is of the upmost importance to keep our digestive system strong and healthy. A great way to do this is to incorporate a Probiotic into our daily routine. According to a study from Harvard Medical School, probiotics can “help digestion, help the absorption of food and nutrients and help protect us from harmful bacteria that can make us sick.”3 It is also important to take to help rebalance gut bacteria when they become compromised from taking an antibiotic.3 But not just any Probiotic will do! A superior non-GMO Probiotic will supply five different strains of health activity to thrive and fight off unhealthy bacteria in your body. The addition of Inulin from chicory root provides a source of nutrition for microbes to survive and colonize in your gut.†
Incorporating a superior multivitamin, an omega-3 and a high-quality Probiotic can start to get you on the right track to supporting your health concerns. I look forward to assisting you to reach your health goals through
Functional Medicine. To set up a free nutritional consultation with me, please email me at AMight@invitehealth.com or call (800) 632-0541.
Sources:
1. “Vitamins.” The Nutrition Source, 15 Feb. 2019, www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins/.
2. “Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA: health benefits throughout life.” Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 22 April 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3262608/
3. “The Benefits of probiotic bacteria.” Harvard Health, 22 April 19, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-benefits-of-probiotics