nutritional and functional medicine

“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates (460-375 B.C.)

what is nutritional and functional medicine?

Nutritional and Functional Medicine is a growing scientific and evidence-based clinical discipline that is concerned with the interaction of nutritional factors with human biochemistry and physiology, and the resulting effects on our bodily function and diseases.

why is nutritional and functional medicine important?

Nutritional and Functional medicine has been found to be helpful in some endocrine and metabolism disorders such as menstrual and perimenopause, thyroid disease; allergies and autoimmune diseases that can affect the skin and lungs eg eczema and asthma; mental and behavioural disorders eg anxiety; and even in the management of accumulated toxic substances. People who seek a nutritional consultation often complain of vague symptoms of fatigue or decreased mental performance, and abdominal bloating or cramping. Despite conventional medical testing they are often told that they are “healthy”.

how does functional medicine testing work?

Through a detailed history taking of symptoms and testing which may include targeted blood and specialised stool testing; certain nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances or imbalances in their gut micro-organisms may be detected eg parasites, yeast and unhealthy bacteria.

Such patients may be treated with anti-infective therapy, supplements and advised to avoid certain foods that may irritate the gut or which are not well digested or absorbed resulting in fermentation that aggravates bloating and cramping.

In addition, support for gut immunity may be provided to reduce inflammation. It will alsospeed up the gut healing process along with probiotics to return to a healthy balance of beneficial gut microbes. Once healed, gut symptoms are often improved with better digestion and absorption, better formed stool, and better mood and energy.

Both children and adults can benefit from these nutritional therapies.

Our doctors with an are of interest in nutritional and functional medicine: Dr Colin Koh.