functional medicine In Riyadh
Functional medicine is an evolution in the health care that offers a new operating system for the 21st century medicine 1. It is a science-based, systems-biology approach that understands the biochemical individuality of the patient by conducting lab tests, along with a detailed genetic analysis to identify the primary cause of the disease and restore the body’s biochemical balance 2.
Chronic conditions are complicated dysfunctions of the human body, caused by many factors. Many researches attributed autoimmune, neurocognitive, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, mainly, to environmental exposures and nutrition, which can alter the individual’s epigenetics makeup3. The need of addressing the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlies the disease is very crucial and it is the basis of functional medicine4.
Instead of treating the symptoms, a certified medical physician with functional medicine profession spends adequate time with the patient, listening to their medical histories, complaints and investigating influences by performing a biochemical inspection through advanced lab testing, looking at nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, biochemical abnormalities, viral or bacterial presence, immune system dysfunctional reactions, gut leakage, heavy metal toxicity, along with the patient’s genetic composition and vulnerabilities5, seeking an underlying root cause6. Treatment is personalized, and considers physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient, yet, the main transformation of a person’s health is through dietary interventions and lifestyle changes, which would fix the gut microbiome and treat imbalances and toxicities naturally and safely.
The effect of a nutritional intervention on reversing chronic diseases has been studied from an epi-genetic prospective 7. Certain nutrients and bioactive food components can alter the DNA methylation, and thus the gene expression8. Some studies found that natural diet contributes in reversing the process associated with disease and aging through an increase in the activity of telomerase, which is an enzyme responsible for elongating telomeres and thus maintaining health and longevity9.
Functional medicine has been employed by many conventional medical centres, including Cleveland clinic, as part of the medical services offered for their patients with chronic diseases.
According to the practice in Cleveland clinic10, functional medicine can treat many different conditions including:
- Auto-immune diseases (ex. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and MS).
- Allergies
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Digestive disorders (ex. Irritable bowel syndrome, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and ulcers).
- Neurodegenerative diseases.
- Food sensitivities.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Thyroid disorders.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Many other chronic conditions.
functional medicine is:
Individualized approach where the patient is treated instead of the disease since every patient may have different root causes underlying their condition.
Instead of treating the symptoms alone, FM seeks the root cause of the conditions by conducting advanced diagnostic testing.
Treatments are safe, natural and non-invasive with no harsh chemicals or drugs causing side effects.
Considers all aspects of an individual when treating conditions: environment, mind and body.
The patient is empowered with positivity, educated about their condition and motivated to play an active role in their healing process.
Combines both modern healthcare and complementary and alternative medicine for a holistic individualized treatment, focusing on diet and lifestyle.
Functional tests and the treatments restore balance in the body and thus, reverse disease.
Poor health outcomes are prevented before symptoms may arise.
Using scientific peer reviewed journals, treatments are effective as they are evidence based.
our functional medical services include:
It includes both basic and special advanced investigative testing that are not routinely offered in traditional primary care, looking for underlying abnormalities such as nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicities, hormonal imbalances, food allergies, bacterial overgrowth and intestinal permeability. These diagnostic assessments not only help in targeting the root cause and restoring health, but also in discovering the dysfunction before it progresses to disease. Many patients seen in general practice come back with normal tests even though they don’t feel well. A functional medical practitioner will pay a special attention to what would be considered as normal lab range to detect hidden health stressors before a disease is evident.
Exposure to pesticides, preservatives, heavy metals and pollutants weakens our immune system and interferes with different hormonal functions in the body, leading to many chronic conditions, particularly chronic fatigue.
Detoxification helps in getting rid of toxins from the body and assists the organs to clear out any environmental and heavy metal toxicities naturally. Cleansing comprises of functional nutrition, supplements, lifestyle changes as well as holistic evidence-based therapies in order to calm the inflammation. It promotes physical and mental well-being along with healing naturally without any use of chemicals.
Gut health plays an important role in the function of the immune system and overall health, contributing to a wide range of chronic conditions. Based on the underlying cause like SIBO, parasites or gut dysbiosis, a nutritional intervention plan is made to eliminate inflammatory diet and encourage food that can certainly be used as medicine to help heal your body and prevent illness. Functional Nutrition promotes health and healing with an individualized approach, as it focuses on how food affects the biological mechanisms in different individuals.
Vitamins and supplements help in correcting deficiencies and support healing from chronic conditions. However, many sold supplements are harmful to the body due to contamination with chemicals, heavy metals or preservatives. Our practitioners prescribe high quality, non-GMO and natural supplements used with an evidence based holistic approach.
Our general physician will help in the diagnosis and evaluation of your condition, refer to a suitable practitioner, as well as maintain a positive integration between conventional and holistic treatments offered to the patient.
Mental and emotional wellness is crucial in a holistic approach and is a prime factor among the causes of disease. Anxiety, phobias, depression, insomnia and cognitive impairment are related to the gut health, nutritional deficiencies, biochemical imbalances, environmental stress and poor sleep. Naturopathic and functional medicine approaches seek and correct the root cause, as well as offer the patients different holistic treatments to help destress and restore mental and emotional health.
Mental and Emotional treatments include:
- Yoga and meditation
- Acupuncture
- EMDR
- Nutritional and life style modification.