The Institute for Functional Medicine

“Food is the most important lever we have to pull on this and people need to understand that what they eat is transforming everything about their health at every moment.” IFM's Board President of Clinical Affairs Mark Hyman, MD recently shared with The Telegraph 16 different life-lengthening diet tweaks that anyone can implement. Read the list and try out a few of Dr. Hyman's favorite recipes here: https://hubs.la/Q02J68vV0

Understanding the connection between the health of the gut microbiome, the severity of COVID-19 infection, and persistent long-haul symptoms is an active area of research. The most recent studies suggest that the gut microbiome contributes to both the course and the severity of COVID-19. How can functional medicine clinicians harmonize the microbiome to promote healing in these patients? Explore ways to keep the gastrointestinal tract nourished with necessary nutrients for a healthy microbiome in the following graphics, and learn more about the connection between the microbiome and COVID-19 in this article: https://hubs.la/Q02H_TVR0

A wide variety of environmental toxicants make their way into our everyday lives, and exposures to common chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides may lead to adverse health effects. How does toxicity fit into a patient’s total health picture, and how can functional medicine help? https://hubs.la/Q02HJWjS0

While there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), adopting a nutritional approach for ameliorating symptoms has already proven beneficial for some patients. Specific nutrients and dietary patterns have been investigated for neuroprotective properties, slowing progression of disease symptoms, and improving a patient’s quality of life. Explore how nutrition can help to prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases in the following graphics, and read more on the topic here: https://hubs.la/Q02Hxt4k0

What percent of human pesticide exposure does the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate occurs indoors? Swipe through to test your knowledge and reveal the answer. Explore new clinical approaches to evaluate total toxic load and learn to apply personalized therapeutic strategies to enhance biotransformation and detoxification at IFM's Environmental Health Advanced Practice Module (APM). Join us September 27-28 in Chicago, IL or online for a case-based, integrated approach to effectively deliver the tools necessary for clinicians to diagnose and treat the toxic component of their patients’ total health pictures. Learn more and register here: https://hubs.la/Q02H7p8k0

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis lead to digestive dysfunction and chronic inflammation in the digestive system, resulting in some similar symptoms, yet there are fundamental differences between the two diseases. Understanding the potential etiologies, manifestations, and pathogenesis of the most common inflammatory bowel diseases may help to personalize and focus effective treatment interventions. In the following video, IFM Educator and founding director of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's advanced IBD fellowship Dawn Beaulieu, MD, IFMCP, discusses the functional medicine approach to IBD. Read more about IBD causes & solutions in the following article: https://hubs.la/Q02H0fcq0

Exercise can be utilized as a therapeutic approach to support mitochondria, with the potential to promote increased mitochondrial biogenesis and density, as well as to improve function and oxidative capacity.* A 2021 review of clinical trials and animal-based models found that endurance and resistance training, separately and combined, have suggested benefit for mitochondrial aging and muscle disorders. Swipe through these graphics to learn about these exercise benefits, and learn more about mitochondria & the bone-muscle unit in the following article: https://hubs.la/Q02GQ9Yn0

In recent years, more pharmacists have been receiving functional medicine training with the goal of becoming integrated into an expanded functional medicine collaborative care team. As part of their role, pharmacists can provide information about the potential for drug-induced nutrient depletion, when a pharmaceutical prevents absorption, retention, or normal function of a particular nutrient, as well as provide ways to correct the issue. On today’s episode of "Pathways to Well-Being," we welcome functional medicine pharmacists Lara Zakaria, PharmD, CNS, IFMCP and Melody Hartzler, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, to discuss drug-induced nutrient depletions and the role of pharmacists on collaborative care teams. Listen to the full episode or read a transcript here: https://hubs.la/Q02GDWHW0

Ultra-processed food (UPF) is common in the modern Western diet. Excessive consumption of UPF has previously been associated with negative health impacts. How does high intake of these foods impact brain health? Read more about UPF and Alzheimer's risk in the following article: https://hubs.la/Q02GsF-N0