Functional Medicine

Experience the power of personalized care with Functional Medicine

 Functional Medicine is a highly personalized, holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, rather than just treating symptoms. This involves exploring a multitude of factors such as nutrition, stress, genetics, environment, and hormonal imbalances. Treatments often involve a combination of lifestyle modifications, diet, exercise, supplements, and conventional medicine when necessary.

Understanding Functional Medicine

At the heart of Functional Medicine is the belief that each individual is unique. We assess your specific health needs through comprehensive testing and evaluations, diving deep into areas like nutrition, gut health, hormone balance, and immune function. By addressing these underlying imbalances, we create a personalized treatment plan designed to support long-term wellness and prevent future health issues.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, or simply looking to optimize your overall well-being, Functional Medicine offers a holistic path to healing and vitality. Let us help you take control of your health and live a life of energy and balance.

Our Approach to Functional Medicine

At Elevate Health + Wellness, we’re committed to providing you with personalized care and remarkable results. Our approach to functional medicine is grounded in the following principles:

Comprehensive Consultation: Your journey begins with a thorough consultation, where our Functional Medicine practitoner, Dr. Joshua Dowdy, D.C., M.S., will assess your health concerns, current nutrition and lifestyle habits, current supplement regimine, and develop a customized plan for evaluation via comprehensive testing. Once we have the results from our comprehensive testing, Dr. Dowdy will design a treatment plan tailored to your idividual needs. 

Comprehensive Testing : We utilize various evaluation techniques that will give us an in-depth look at the function of multiple systems within the human body. This allows us to then understand how the body is functioning and what areas need improved upon. Some of the tests that we may run are: 

Blood Work: A Window into Your Health

Blood work refers to a series of laboratory tests performed on a blood sample to assess various aspects of your health. It’s one of the most common and effective ways for doctors to monitor and diagnose conditions, evaluate organ function, and detect any imbalances in the body.

By analyzing your blood, we can gather vital information about:

• Nutrient Levels (e.g., vitamins, minerals)
• Blood Sugar and insulin sensitivity
• Cholesterol and lipid profiles
• Liver and Kidney Function
• Immune System activity
• Hormone Levels

Blood work serves as an essential tool in preventive care and early detection of diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions, thyroid disorders, and more. The results help guide treatment decisions and give a clear picture of your overall health. Whether you’re undergoing routine testing or looking for answers to specific health concerns, blood work provides crucial insights, allowing for personalized and targeted care.

Metabolomics Spotlight Testing: Uncovering Your Body’s Biochemical Blueprint

Metabolomics Spotlight Testing is an advanced diagnostic tool that examines the small molecules, or metabolites, produced by your body’s metabolic processes. These metabolites offer a detailed snapshot of your body’s current biochemical activity and can reveal how well various systems—like your digestion, energy production, detoxification, and hormonal balance—are functioning.

Unlike traditional testing, which often focuses on a single marker or system, Metabolomics Spotlight Testing takes a comprehensive look at multiple metabolic pathways. It helps identify:

• Nutrient Deficiencies: Pinpoints vitamins, minerals, and cofactors that are lacking and essential for cellular function.
• Toxin Exposure: Detects the buildup of environmental toxins or internal metabolic waste products.
• Oxidative Stress: Measures the body’s response to stress and inflammation at the cellular level.
• Energy Production Efficiency: Assesses how well your body produces energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
• Gut Health and Microbiome Activity: Provides insight into digestive health and microbiome function.

This testing is invaluable for individuals with chronic health conditions, unexplained symptoms, or those seeking to optimize their health. By analyzing metabolites, we can identify hidden imbalances that may contribute to fatigue, weight issues, hormonal problems, or other health challenges. The results from Metabolomics Spotlight Testing are used to create a tailored treatment plan, including personalized nutrition, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplements, helping you achieve optimal health at the biochemical level.

GI Spotlight: Comprehensive Gut Health Assessment

The GI Spotlight is a specialized test designed to provide a deep understanding of your gut health by examining the state of your digestive system and microbiome. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall health. Imbalances in your gut can contribute to various health issues such as bloating, IBS, food intolerances, fatigue, and even mood disorders.

This test evaluates key aspects of your digestive system, including:

• Gut Microbiome Composition: Analyzes the balance of beneficial bacteria and the presence of harmful microbes, such as pathogenic bacteria, yeast, or parasites.
• Digestive Function: Measures enzymes, stomach acid levels, and how effectively your body breaks down and absorbs nutrients.
• Inflammation Markers: Identifies levels of inflammation in the gut, which can signal conditions like leaky gut syndrome or other GI disorders.
• Immune Response: Assesses how well your gut is supporting your immune system, as 70% of immune cells reside in the gut.
• Gut Barrier Integrity: Determines the health of your intestinal lining and whether there are signs of increased permeability (leaky gut).

The GI Spotlight test provides a comprehensive overview of your digestive health, allowing for targeted interventions to restore balance. Based on the results, personalized recommendations may include dietary changes, probiotics, supplements, and lifestyle modifications to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellness.

With this in-depth analysis, you can identify hidden gut issues and take proactive steps to optimize your digestive health, leading to better energy, mood, and overall well-being.

Genomic Spotlight: Personalized Health Through Genetic Insights

Genomic Spotlight is an advanced genetic test that analyzes your DNA to provide a personalized understanding of how your genes influence your health, metabolism, and risk for certain conditions. Unlike other forms of testing, which focus on current symptoms or biological markers, this test delves into your genetic code to uncover predispositions and guide preventative health strategies.

By examining specific genetic variants (also known as SNPs—single nucleotide polymorphisms), Genomic Spotlight reveals:

• Nutritional Needs: Identifies how your genes impact nutrient absorption and utilization, helping you tailor your diet to optimize your health.
• Detoxification Pathways: Evaluates how efficiently your body processes toxins and eliminates waste, offering insights into susceptibility to environmental toxins.
• Metabolic Function: Provides details on how your body processes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, which can guide weight management and energy optimization strategies.
• Hormonal Balance: Assesses genetic factors that influence hormone production and metabolism, which can be helpful in addressing issues like thyroid imbalances, reproductive health, and mood disorders.
• Disease Risk: Highlights genetic predispositions for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, allowing for early intervention and prevention.

The results of Genomic Spotlight testing offer a blueprint for a highly personalized health plan, tailored to your unique genetic makeup. Whether you’re looking to optimize your fitness and nutrition or prevent future health issues, this test empowers you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle. With the Genomic Spotlight test, you can take a proactive, preventative approach to your wellness, leveraging the power of your DNA for a healthier future.

Contact Us

Are you ready to start your journey to optimal health? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how our functional medicine program can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.