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 What the ‘Bleep’ is Functional Medicine with Dr. Will Cole, #32

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Show Notes

Dr. Will Cole talks to us about what Functional Medicine is, the types of ailments he encounters through his practice, how he goes about diagnosing autoimmunity, and the steps that are taken to alleviate the symptoms and set his patients off on a healthy journey. If you’re feeling like something is wrong, not feeling quite well, and yet your doctor is telling you your lab work shows you’re fine, this is the episode for you. Don’t let those symptoms just sit there. Dr. Cole offers his suggestions for your next steps.

Did you know: 50 million Americans have auto immune diseases. In comparison, cancer affects up to 9 million Americans and heart disease up to 22 million Americans.

Autoimmune is when the immune system attacks itself, causing inflammation. In order to diagnose an autoimmune disease, conventional medicine looks for 70% destruction before it will diagnose the disease. In the meantime, those with 30%, 40%, 50% destruction are trying to live life feeling horrible and not knowing what is wrong. Some will even be told they “could” develop XYZ disease. But they’ll need to wait until destruction reaches 70% before diagnosis and meds can be prescribed to suppress symptoms! That doesn’t even address the root cause. That’s why functional medicine is becoming increasingly popular and the go-to solution for most Americans.

 

What is Functional Medicine?

There are 3 main differences between functional medicine and conventional medicine.

Labwork references range– In conventional medicine usually your results come back normal even when you’re feeling awful because they’re being compared to a large range of the population, and if you fall within their range it means you’re functioning about the same as all the other sick people with your symptoms, so you’re normal. If you’re not in that range, you’re DIAGNOSED and PRESCRIBED meds.

Functional medicine looks at much tighter ranges in that reference range, and looks for the people who are feeling well and are healthy, then compares your lab scores to them.

 

Comprehensive Labs- Functional medicine runs more comprehensive lab work. They also look at your health history, at microbiome dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, toxicity issues, so the root cause issues can be dealt with.

 

Not everyone is created equal- The realization that everyone is created differently. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to getting well. What works for one person can flare other’s triggers. To treat symptoms and ailments, functional medicine uses herbal botanical medicine, lifestyle modifications, supplements and medications when needed to regain health.

 

Functional doctors can identify autoimmunity and inflammation at a much earlier stage and start treating with lifestyle changes, foods, supplements, etc.

 

How to Identify Autoimmune Symptom

Unexplained health problems. Simple as that. If you’re being told your lab results show you’re fine, and you’re still feeling awful, it’s time to look into having an initial consultation with a functional doctor.

Common signs of inflammation presence:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • brain fog
  • hot and sweaty, then you crash and feel cold and depressed
  • constipation
  • digestive problems
  • joint problems
  • muscle issues

 

“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates

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Listen in on this episode to find tips from Dr. Cole on finding a functional medicine doctor and how functional medicine is paid for.

 

Dr. Cole recently launched Heal Your Hormones, Brain & Gut video course. This video course is designed to equip you with everything you need to make the BEST, most-informed decisions about your hormone, brain and gut health.

Are you struggling with hormonal problems? Or brain problems like anxiety, depression or brain fog? Maybe you have digestive issues that you can’t figure out – well, it’s time for you to learn about the underlying connections between your brain, your hormones and your digestive system. This course can be your first steps to regain your health, reverse disease and move on with your life.

Dr. Cole is offering FSLers $10 off his video course with code: functionalmedicine10.

He’s working on an autoimmune video course too. Check his website regularly or join his email list to find out when it’s available.

 

Dr. Cole’s 3 Habits to Ensure His Health:

  1. Mindfulness meditation
  2. Hot yoga
  3. Ignore junk food. Make it NOT an option. That’s freedom!

 

Dr. Will Cole’s Bio:

Dr. Will Cole, leading functional medicine practitioner, specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors and customizing health programs for chronic conditions such as thyroid issues, autoimmune, hormonal dysfunctions, and more. He consults locally in the Pittsburgh area as well as webcam and phone consultations for people across the country and around the world. Dr. Cole is a health writer for international publications such as mindbodygreen and lectures nationally.

 

Links and Resources