The Power of Functional Medicine: A Solution to Autoimmune Disease

🧬Functional medicine rethinks disease by looking at the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.

🔥Inflammation is a major driver of autoimmune diseases, and reducing it can lead to significant improvement.

🍽️A healthy diet with whole, fresh foods is crucial for creating a healthy human and reducing inflammation.

💊Addressing deficiencies and imbalances in nutrients, hormones, and gut health plays a key role in healing autoimmune diseases.

🏋️Other factors like stress management, sleep, and movement are essential for overall health and can contribute to healing autoimmune diseases.

What is functional medicine?

—Functional medicine is an approach that focuses on addressing the root causes of disease instead of just treating symptoms. It looks at the whole person rather than focusing on a specific disease.

Is functional medicine effective for autoimmune diseases?

—Yes, functional medicine has shown remarkable results in treating autoimmune diseases. By identifying and addressing the underlying causes, such as inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and imbalances, significant improvement can be achieved.

Can diet play a role in healing autoimmune diseases?

—Absolutely. A healthy diet with whole, fresh foods can help reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and provide the necessary nutrients for healing. Eliminating inflammatory foods and optimizing nutrient intake is a key strategy in functional medicine.

Are there any specific nutrients or supplements that can help with autoimmune diseases?

—Yes, certain nutrients and supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil), vitamin D, and probiotics, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and support immune function. Working with a functional medicine practitioner can help identify individual needs and create a personalized supplement plan.

What other lifestyle factors are important for healing autoimmune diseases?

—In addition to a healthy diet, managing stress, optimizing sleep, getting regular exercise, and fostering social connections are crucial for overall health and can contribute to healing autoimmune diseases. These factors promote a balanced immune system and support the body's healing processes.

00:03Dr. Mark Hyman welcomes viewers to his weekly house call series. The topic for this week is rheumatoid arthritis and the potential alternatives to medications.

00:06Functional medicine offers a new way of thinking about health and disease. It looks at the underlying causes rather than just treating symptoms.

00:15Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, affect a large number of people. Functional medicine aims to address the root causes of these diseases.

01:00Functional medicine identifies five major causes of all diseases, including autoimmune diseases: toxins, microbes, allergens, poor diet, and stress.

01:26The key to healing autoimmune diseases lies in reducing inflammation. Functional medicine focuses on eliminating inflammatory triggers and providing the necessary nutrients for healing.

02:26Dr. Hyman shares a success story of a young girl with autoimmune disease who experienced a remarkable recovery through functional medicine. By addressing her diet and gut health, her symptoms improved significantly.

03:26Functional medicine offers a holistic approach to autoimmune diseases. It includes dietary changes, balancing hormones, addressing gut health, and considering other therapies like heavy metal detox or infection treatment, if necessary.

04:26Dr. Hyman encourages viewers to explore functional medicine and provides a free ebook on the 10-day detox autoimmune solution. He also encourages sharing experiences and questions for future house calls.