Why Functional Medicine?
This year I have been delighted to start studying Functional Medicine, it's not been easy fitting it in, but it means a lot to me to have done it. I completed my Advanced Functional medicine practitioner training in April through the IFM (Institute of Functional Medicine). More recently i've completed a module on Environmental Health (previously known as Detox Medicine).
Many people ask Why Functional Medicine and what is it? Let me try and explain.
For years I have been interested, while nursing, in looking at the whole person rather than just trying to give a diagnosis, and this is what Functional Medicine does. We look at individuals as exactly that, and avoid using a ‘diagnosis label’ as putting them into the same treatment box as everyone else with the same condition. But it is even more than that; Functional Medicine focuses on prevention of disease and optimization of the body’s amazing intricate systems.
The IFM summarise what Function Medicine is here –
'Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and evaluating the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long- term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.'
Nutrition is at the core of functional medicine and an area I love learning about. The saying that ‘food is medicine’ is more true today than ever. With increasing chronic disease, and the complications thereof causing our hospitals to become so stretched for resources, we need to address the root of the problem and start not only with ourselves, but our children as well, today. Equipped with this knowledge I am 100% committed to ensuring that all we do at Nourish in the products we make, the advice we give and the companies we support promotes your health and wellbeing.
In a day and age when we can google to try and find the answer to our symptoms, how we should eat, the latest ‘diet’ recommendations, it can be so confusing to know where to turn. I have frequently been guilty of this over the years. Functional medicine has reinforced to me how it is a unique journey for everyone, and what we eat is core to some of those answers. I hope you will join us over the next few weeks as we take a look at what we eat, how we eat and how to optimize health and wellbeing.
If you're looking for recipe inspiration take a look at our NEW eCookbook for Water for Good, it's packed full of delicious recipes crammed with delicious wholefood recipes.
