Have you been told that your thyroid gland is “sluggish” or that it just “needs a little support?”
A recent study showed that up to 90% of thyroid prescriptions were given to patients with normal thyroid function. This problem spans across all areas in medicine. Misdiagnosis and over prescription is rampant both by conventional doctors who often want a quick fix so they can move to the next patient as well as integrative who are ignoring established science in favor of unproven hypotheses and group think.
Read moreMost of what you've been told about MTHFR is wrong. Just to start, variants in MTHFR do not cause problems with detoxification. I am going to tell you what the doctors selling vitamins won't. I’ll help you understand the real biochemistry so that we can can debunk some of the major myths and misconceptions about MTHFR.
Read moreAs a physician who focuses on the reasons why my patients become ill, I’ve come to appreciate just how much the environment around us impacts our health. Whether it is lead in our drinking water, mold in our air, or plastics in our food, it seems that wherever we turn we are confronted with yet another environmental threat. How can we stay healthy in an increasingly toxic world?
Read moreIn my practice, I frequently use a nutritional formula called Elemental Select from Moss Nutrition to help patients prolong fasts and see similar results. An elemental formula is one in which fats, proteins and carbs are broken down so that they are very quickly and efficiently absorbed in the GI tract. For weight loss, I ask patients to begin fasting by skipping breakfast, and drinking only coffee, tea or bone broth.
Read moreMost of my patients find that they are cognitively sharper and find that their fasting days are more focused and efficient. They feel lighter and often report their mood is improved. Those with GI symptoms typically find their symptoms are 75% reduced on fasting days. After a few weeks, they see weight loss.
Read moreWe are being exposed to a growing number of toxic chemicals every day - and our health is declining as a result. While some exposures are unavoidable, the key is to look for simple changes that can reduce our toxic load so that we can live longer and healthier lives. Let’s talk about tea.
Read moreMany patients with mold exposure develop problems that go far beyond runny noses - these patients are plagued by a variety of symptoms. Crippling fatigue, severe depression, brain fog and anger are quite common. Many develop chronic pain, and other patients show signs of neurologic damage through symptoms of tremors, neuropathy and even seizures.
Read moreMany functional medicine doctors have taken to calling themselves “medical detectives.” But are they following the right clues, or has the case gone cold?
Read moreResearch has shown us know that a lack of sleep not only increases the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia, but can also lead to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. What many don't realize is that poor sleep causes these problems by leading you to gain weight, or prevent you from losing weight even when you are dieting and exercising.
Read moreI love the ketogenic diet. I use this myself to help control my blood sugar, and find that it can be extremely helpful for a range of medical conditions. For the right patient, using this diet can be life changing. I have seen several patients who have struggled with weight their entire life find that the ketogenic det was the first diet where they realized steady weight loss that stayed off. Others have been able to suppress seizures and reduce their need for seizure medication. Still others love the convenience of staying energetic for long periods of time, and find that they think better and are more productive when they use this diet.
Read moreThere are problems in Functional Medicine that need to be openly discussed.
Over the years, I’ve listened closely to my patients so that I can learn what is making them sick. Because I commonly see people who have worked with many different doctors before finding my office, I have learned a lot about how different practices operate.
It isn’t always pretty.
Read moreIn my clinical practice, one of my main areas of focus is helping patients improve their longevity. I am consistently looking for areas that my patients can change so they can live healthier and happier lives. Let’s talk about an overlooked risk factor - heavy metal exposure.
We know from established research that high levels of lead are associated with elevated blood pressure, increased heart sizes and increased deaths from heart attacks and strokes. After the disaster in Flint, MI many people are becoming aware of the harms that can come from lead exposure.
Read moreWe are living in an increasingly polluted and toxic world. Estimates are that blood lead levels are ten times to 100 times higher than people living in the preindustrial era.
Read moreMy job as a Functional Medicine doctor is to help patients figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. I spend a lot of time helping people with digestive symptoms, and I’ve uncovered a lot of the different reasons why people struggle with bloating, gas, abdominal pain.
Read moreThere are a ton of recommendations circulating online promoting the use of vitamin D in preventing and treating COVID-19. It seems reasonable that people would recommend this, as we know that low levels of vitamin D are associated with poor health and more respiratory infections. Finally, we know that Vitamin D has a variety of effects on the immune system.
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