What is Functional Health?

In taking a functional (Fn) approach to our health, we start with assessing the body systems to see how well they support each other in performing everyday tasks and then layer that with functional blood chemistry analysis and records of food intake to prioritize a comprehensive nutrition program based on these clinical finds and overall personal health goals.

In doing this type of work, we most commonly find three primary body systems that routinely show up in needing assistance:

  1. Digestion
  2. Endocrine
  3. Immune

Function [fuhngk-shuhn]

(noun)

  1. the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role.
  2. a factor related to or dependent upon other factors

(verb)

  1. to perform a specified action or activity; work; operate
  2. to have or exercise a function; serve

Digestion

In starting our functional body system work together, there is no more important place to start than the DIGESTIVE system. The overall digestive system involves 10 organs and intricately involves other body systems such as the nervous system, endocrine system and immune system.

If your digestive system is not functioning, we start to see some of the following symptoms:

  • Heartburn
  • Bloating
  • Burping
  • Gassiness
  • Nausea
  • Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
  • Vomiting
  • Bowel movement inconsistencies

Over time, if the digestive system is not supported and functionally restored then this physiology can lead to the following disease states:

  • GERD
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Gallstones
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Gastritis
  • Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis
  • Food Allergies
  • Hemorrhoids

Often times before a person gets a disease diagnosis, the underlying body system dysfunction has been a problem for years. But fear not, the human body has an incredible capacity to heal itself. We believe that the body is self-healing and self-regulating given that it is free of nerve interference and properly fed.

Endocrine

Endocrine

Onto the ENDOCRINE system! This system is made up of a group of glands which are responsible for producing and balancing our hormones. These hormones have the ability to influence the functionality of every cell, organ and tissue in the entire body. If your endocrine system is not functioning, we start to see some of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Appetite fluctuations
  • Reduce mental clarity, “brain fog”
  • Muscle weakness
  • Mood instability
  • Menstrual cycle imbalance
  • Temperature fluctuations
  • Weight loss or gain
What is Functional Health - Jen Franco

Over time, if the endocrine system is not supported and functionally restored then this physiology can lead to the following disease states:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Hyperthyroidism or Grave’s Disease
  • Depression and/or anxiety
  • Adrenal Insufficiency or Addison’s Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Infertility
  • Hypothyroidism or Hashitmoto’s Disease
  • PMDD

The endocrine system functions very differently in Women than is does in Men and because of that we have dedicated information to each of these topics:

Immune

The last of the three primary body systems that routinely show up in supporting functional health is the IMMUNE system. What of the many unique attributes about the immune system is that rather than a few glands or organs making up the immune system, the whole body rather, is an entire immune system. Several systems such as the digestive system, the endocrine system, and the lymphatic system help to make up the whole-body immune system.

If your immune system is not functioning, we start to see some of the following symptoms:

  • Delayed growth and development
  • Frequent or recurrent infections
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
    Swelling and inflammation of the joints
  • Inflammation of the internal organs
  • Recurrent digestive distress
  • Skin infections
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiency

Over time, if the immune system is not supported and functionally restored then this physiology can lead to the following disease states:

  • Arthritis or Rheumatoid
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma and/or Allergies
  • Eczema or Psoriasis
  • Chronic Obstructive
  • Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
  • Hepatitis
  • Inflammatory Bowel
  • Disease (IBD)
  • Lupus
Remember! The human body has an incredible capacity to heal itself. We believe that the body is self-healing and self-regulating given that it is free of nerve interference and properly fed. As we evaluate each person with a functional approach to restoring health, our primary role is to identify which body systems need the most help. Once identified, we want to feed and enhance those glands, tissues and organs to get them back up and running and contributing to functioning body systems and overall healthy body.

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