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Functional Medicine


A root cause approach

What is Functional Medicine?


Functional medicine is the key to revolutionising healthcare. This comprehensive, evidence-based approach is personalised for each individual, combining the holistic principles of traditional and alternative healthcare with modern biological science, disease processes, testing, and medications to achieve effective health outcomes.

“Functional medicine is the best of both modern and traditional healthcare. It’s about figuring out the root cause of a health issue, and addressing it with strategies informed by science.” - Jabe Brown

Our functional medicine approach involves an in-depth and extensive investigation of a person’s entire health picture. This includes diet and lifestyle factors, supported by comprehensive testing. We create a unique roadmap for recovery for each person, emphasising the importance of building long-term resilience.

health spectrum

Chronic diseases are now understood to be caused largely by modifiable elements such as diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors that influence gene expression and promote disease. Functional medicine focuses on disease resolution and prevention by reducing known risk factors. We recognise that health and disease exist on a spectrum, and many conditions can be prevented, reversed, or put into remission.

Our practitioners are trained to identify signs of dysfunction—a state that occurs before a condition fully manifests—and recommend treatments that improve health and prevent disease, rather than relying on medications that merely mask symptoms.

This approach to chronic disease management can halt or even reverse disease progression while enhancing long-term health. Functional medicine is uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in addressing the rapidly declining health trends and the growing burden on the healthcare system, particularly as the population ages.

Functional Medicine is detective Work 

Functional Medicine: Investigative and HolisticTreating the Root Cause for Lasting Health


Functional Medicine: Investigative and Holistic

Functional medicine takes a detective-like approach to understanding and addressing health issues. Rather than merely treating symptoms, it systematically explores all possible underlying factors contributing to a person’s condition. By creating a detailed timeline of a patient’s medical history and mapping their health picture, practitioners identify root causes and contributing factors. 

This investigative process requires time, skill, and a deep understanding of biology, biochemistry, and pathophysiology. Functional medicine allows practitioners to connect the dots between different aspects of a patient’s health, continually refining the treatment plan until the true causes are identified and addressed. 


“Functional medicine is a map, a GPS system, a way of navigating through the landscape of an illness. It’s the medicine that connects the dots between all the things that are going wrong in our biology.”  - Mark Hyman

Treating the Root Cause for Lasting Health

 Functional medicine prioritises resolving the underlying causes of disease rather than simply managing symptoms. It’s like caring for a tree: addressing browning leaves by painting them green or cutting them off might mask the issue, but the root problem remains, allowing symptoms to return. 

For example, 

Conventional management of high cholesterol with statins can reduce cholesterol levels but may cause unintended side effects like fatigue, muscle pain, or increased diabetes risk by disrupting essential processes like CoQ10 production. 


Functional medicine delves deeper, asking questions like “Why is cholesterol high?” and uncovering potential causes such as metabolic imbalances, intestinal hyper-permeability, stress, or toxin exposure. At Raworganica Nutrition, we go beyond rapid relief, seeking to understand why a condition arises and what needs to be addressed for long-term health and wellness.










Understanding the Exposome: The Key to Health


The health of a tree depends on its environment—soil quality, sun exposure, water access, etc. Similarly, human health is determined by the ‘exposome’: factors like nutrition, stress, pollution, exercise, relationships, and sleep. For a tree, the problem might be a lack of sun or excess water. For a person with a chronic disease or other chronic health issues, it might be poor nutrition, stress, or heavy metal toxicity. By addressing these factors, health can be restored, and longevity maximised.


The Functional Medicine tree

Uncovering the Root Causes of Illness with Functional Medicine

“Functional medicine asks not just ‘what is the best drug or intervention for rapid relief of this disease?’, but also ‘why did it occur, and what needs to be resolved for a return to health?" our functional medicine practitioners are dedicated to finding the root causes of illness. They achieve this by examining three critical components:

​

Antecedents

These factors put someone at risk of developing a problem, such as a genetic predisposition.

​
Triggers

​​These are incidents likely to induce the onset of an imbalance or disease state, such as a stressful life event or a microbial or viral infection.

​

Mediators or Drivers

These are elements that contribute to the progression of a condition, Suc​​h as a nutrient deficiency or food sensitivity.

A thorough case-taking is the first step in our investigative process. No stone is left unturned, as even a minor clue can solve a person’s health puzzle.

Holistic Health Through Functional Medicine

Holistic Health Through Functional Medicine

"A Whole-Body Approach to Healing."

We view the body as an interconnected system, addressing root causes for individualised and sustainable care.


We embrace a holistic approach to health, recognising the body as an interconnected whole rather than a collection of isolated systems. Functional medicine takes a “systems biology” perspective, which considers how all biological systems interact to maintain health. Chronic diseases and their management are often complex, involving multiple systems working together. Whole-Body Approach to Healing

By taking this comprehensive view, our practitioners can provide individualised care tailored to each person’s unique health picture. This approach allows us to go beyond symptom management, addressing the root causes of health challenges for sustainable and effective outcomes.

Understanding the Interconnectivity of Body Systems

"Unveiling the Connections Within."

Our approach recognises how stress and system imbalances influence health, ensuring comprehensive and targeted solutions.

The psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune (PNEI) system is a powerful example of how the body’s systems are deeply interconnected. The nervous, endocrine, and immune systems form a super-system influenced by psychological factors, such as stress, which can significantly impact overall health. psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune

For instance, in autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus, psychosocial stress can disrupt the nervous system, leading to increased levels of inflammatory immune cells, pro-inflammatory hormones, and a decrease in anti-inflammatory hormones.

Functional medicine practitioners at Raworganica Nutrition assess not only the immune system but also other systems, such as the digestive or nervous systems, to create a complete picture of the patient’s health. This comprehensive evaluation helps uncover the root causes of conditions and provides a pathway to lasting health.

Addressing Complexity for Long-Term Wellness

"Solving the Puzzle of Chronic Disease."

We tackle the multifaceted causes of illness, providing holistic, evidence-based care for lasting wellness.

Our commitment to understanding the complexity of the body enables us to address the multifaceted causes of chronic diseases. we recognise that conditions like type 2 diabetes often result from a combination of factors, including inflammation, hormonal imbalances, genetics, diet, exercise, and mental health. System- other system interactions

Instead of focusing on a single cause, our functional medicine approach evaluates how these factors interact within each individual. By addressing these interconnected influences, we provide holistic, evidence-based care designed to promote resilience and optimal wellness, empowering our clients to achieve long-term health.

Many imbalances contribute to one condition

The Power of Personalised Care in Functional Medicine

"Your Health, Your Unique Solution."

We craft tailored treatment plans that address your individual root causes for effective, lasting health outcomes.

We understand that every individual is unique, and so are their health challenges. Functional medicine takes a personalised approach to address the root causes of illness by considering an individual’s diet, lifestyle, and health history. Unlike a one-size-fits-all method, we create treatment plans tailored to each person’s biochemical individuality. 

This approach ensures that two people with the same diagnosis may receive entirely different treatments, each designed to target their specific root causes and drivers. By combining clinical expertise with the latest scientific evidence and the patient’s story, we craft strategies that not only restore health but also help individuals thrive in alignment with their body’s needs. root causes

We craft tailored treatment plans that address your individual root causes for effective, lasting health outcomes. For example, chronic inflammation—a key driver of many conditions like heart disease, depression, arthritis, cancer, and obesity—is addressed differently for each person based on their unique triggers, such as diet, lifestyle, or genetics.

Empowering Patients in Their Health Journey

"Collaborative Care for Long-Term Wellness."

We empower patients to take control of their health with support, education, and lasting behaviour changes.

True healing goes beyond diagnosis and treatment—it requires empowering patients to take control of their health. At Raworganica Nutrition, we foster a collaborative relationship with our patients, ensuring they feel supported and heard throughout their health journey. To enhance this partnership, we include health coaches as part of our team, helping patients set goals, build self-management skills, and make lasting behaviour changes. 

This approach increases patients’ connection to their bodies and boosts their health literacy, enabling long-term well-being. By prioritising patient empowerment and education, we aim to create a sustainable path to health that lasts a lifetime.


We empower patients to take control of their health with support, education, and lasting behaviour changes. For instance, our health coaches work with individuals managing autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis to reduce stress, improve dietary habits, and lower inflammatory markers through personalised strategies that promote healing and resilience.

Why Functional Medicine is the Future of Healthcare

"Redefining Healthcare Through Prevention and Root-Cause Resolution."

Functional medicine offers a proactive, cost-effective approach to reversing chronic conditions and improving quality of life.

As chronic diseases continue to rise globally, functional medicine is poised to address the healthcare crisis by focusing on prevention, education, and root-cause resolution. While this highly individualised approach requires significant time and effort, its long-term benefits outweigh the initial costs. Functional medicine not only prevents or reverses chronic conditions but also improves overall quality of life, making it a cost-effective and transformative solution for the future of healthcare. 

By embracing this paradigm shift, the medical industry can move toward a model that prioritises addressing the underlying causes of disease rather than managing symptoms.

Watch Mark Hyman’s TEDMED talk on why functional medicine is the future of medicine​​

Functional medicine is already here, offering innovative, evidence-based care and empowering patients to live longer, healthier lives—embodying Thomas Edis​on’s vision of the doctor of the future. empowering healthcare approach

Functional medicine offers a proactive, cost-effective approach to reversing chronic conditions and improving quality of life. As demonstrated in studies, patients with chronic illnesses such as hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular issues, and digestive disorders experience better quality of life outcomes with functional medicine compared to conventional methods, proving its potential as a transformative healthcare solution.

"Conventional vs. Functional Approach:

Understanding the Limitations of Standard Lab Reference Ranges"

One key idea to grasp the distinction between the two approaches is that the conventional method is focused on identifying pathology and disease. When analysing lab results, the reference ranges are used to detect the development of advanced stages of illness.

When considering health from a conventional perspective, individuals are often classified as either having a disease or not having a disease; if they do not have a disease, they are typically seen as healthy.

Standard lab reference ranges are constructed based on a bell curve, with 95% of individuals falling within a clinically normal reference range.


Learn m​​​​ore

black stethoscope with brown leather case
Conventional medicine and functional medicine

Conventional medicine and functional medicine are two distinct health systems that offer different perspectives on diagnosing, treating, and preventing health issues. 

Each approach has its strengths and limitations, and understanding the differences between them can empower you to make informed choices about your healthcare journey.

Functional Lab Testing

​

You can think about functional lab reference ranges as optimal ranges. We’re looking at a tighter, smaller range and anything outside of that is suboptimal, and it gives us clues that something within that person's physiology is out of balance, EVEN IF they are not at a diagnosable disease state. 

We want to identify an imbalance of normal physiology so we can address these underlying dysfunctions and root causes—ideally before it gets to a pathological disease state. With this approach, we can catch things trending in the wrong direction early on, and we have the opportunity to restore balance and prevent or reverse the disease state.


OUR FUNCTIONAL​​ LAB TE​​STS​​​​​​


Please keep in mind: as functional nutritionists, we are NOT doctors. While we can work collaboratively with you and your other practitioners, functional nutrition is not a replacement for conventional medicine.

Why consider a functional nutritionist?

Are you experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, burnout, weight fluctuations, and mood changes, but your doctor insists that everything is normal?

You suspect there may be underlying thyroid issues, yet all test results indicate otherwise. Despite not feeling like yourself, all medical tests show no abnormalities.

Do you struggle with persistent digestive issues like constipation, bloating, or heartburn without a clear cause?

Are you curious about how your diet can impact your well-being and unsure if you're following the right nutritional plan?

You've immersed yourself in research on food, nutrition, and wellness, but need guidance on how to apply this knowledge effectively.

Feel like your concerns are falling on deaf ears with your current healthcare providers?


Our role as functional providers is to actively listen. We are here to understand your unique story and uncover the root of the issue. We want to assure you that your experiences are valid, even if others have dismissed them as being all in your head.


Before the advent of modern medical technology and scientific pharmacology, physicians traditionally had to inspire in each patient a confidence in his inner ability to heal. To be effective, a doctor had to listen to the patient, develop a relationship with him, and he had also to trust his intuition. Those are the qualities [practitioners] seem to have lost as we have come to rely almost exclusively on “objective” measures…  — Dr. Gabor Maté

Frequently asked questions


Yes, functional medicine is evidence-based, and its foundation is continually strengthened as more research is published. The evidence supporting functional medicine is expanding, with studies addressing a wide range of health concerns, including COVID-19, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiometabolic issues like diabetes and atrial fibrillation, arthritis, digestive health concerns like SIBO, as well as various gut, skin, heart, hormonal, and mood disorders. Functional medicine’s growing body of evidence underscores its effectiveness in addressing complex and chronic health issues through a personalised, root-cause approach.

A functional medicine practitioner is a healthcare professional trained and certified in the functional medicine approach. They specialise in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases through personalised care. These practitioners possess a broad understanding of disease processes, health, natural remedies, and lifestyle medicine. Various health professionals, including doctors, nurses, naturopaths, and chiropractors, can train in the functional medicine approach, allowing them to integrate this holistic and evidence-based methodology into their practice.

A functional medicine practitioner uses a systems biology approach to understand how the body works and to solve health issues. Their primary focus is on finding and addressing the root cause of illness, rather than merely treating symptoms.

Functional medicine practitioners take a holistic approach to healthcare, considering all aspects of a person’s life that may contribute to their illness. They work closely with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include diet and lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and other natural therapies. This individualised approach aims to restore balance and promote long-term health and well-being.

Integrative medicine involves healthcare providers working together in an integrative way, such as a doctor and dietitian collaborating to improve a patient's overall health. However, integrative medicine may still rely on conventional methods and might not always take a holistic approach or focus on uncovering the root cause of a condition. This means a patient may see some improvement, but their health issue may not be fully resolved if an underlying cause or contributing factor is not investigated and addressed.

Functional medicine, on the other hand, also embraces an integrated approach, often partnering with specialists like psychologists, endocrinologists, and neurologists to resolve complex issues. The key difference is that functional medicine practitioners are dedicated to identifying and treating the underlying causes of disease, aiming for lasting positive health outcomes. This root-cause focus sets functional medicine apart, providing a deeper, more comprehensive approach to achieving and maintaining health.

  Our Health Approach     See more

Discover the Power of Functional Nutrition

We blend the best of both worlds in our approach to health. Our functional nutritionists combine modern scientific methods and objective assessments with the art of active listening, intuition, and building strong client relationships.

We utilise functional testing to provide precise, personalised insights, ensuring a holistic and effective nutrition plan tailored just for you. If you're seeking a personalised approach to nutrition, functional nutrition might be the perfect fit. Embrace a path to better health with Raworganica Nutrition's unique, science-backed, and empathetic approach.


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