Functional medicine

Functional medicine is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on interactions between the environment and the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and immune systems. Proponents of functional medicine propose that it can address the root causes of chronic disease and reduce patient dependence on pharmaceuticals.

Overview

Functional medicine practitioners use a variety of unconventional and conventional methods to assess and treat patients. These methods include genetic testing, microbiome testing, and nutritional counseling. They also use a variety of dietary supplements and stress-management techniques.

Criticism

Functional medicine has been criticized by some in the medical community for lacking scientific evidence. Critics argue that the field is not based on sound scientific principles and that it often promotes unproven treatments. Despite these criticisms, functional medicine continues to grow in popularity.

See also

• Alternative medicine
• Chronic disease
• Endocrine system
• Gastrointestinal system
• Immune system
• Microbiome
• Nutrition
• Stress management

References

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External links

• Institute for Functional Medicine