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Difference between Functional Medicine & Conventional Medicine
Conventional medicine (also called allopathic medicine) is very good at acute care. They excel in emergency situations, trauma, and surgery. Functional medicine is very good at chronic illness. Functional medicine is root-cause focused, systems based, and does a lot more testing than conventional medicine. Functional medicine is more cutting-edge whereas conventional medicine lags 17 years behind research due to all of its bureaucracy.
Bottom-line: Use conventional medicine for emergencies and use functional medicine for chronic illness.
Functional Medicine - A Modern Approach to Chronic Illness
ADHD
Conventional Medicine: Prescribes stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin to manage symptoms.
Functional Medicine: Assesses diet, gut health, neurotransmitter balance, and environmental toxins
Mechanism of Action: ADHD may involve dopamine dysregulation, gut-brain axis disruption, and nutrient deficiencies (e.g., zinc, magnesium). Functional medicine supports neurotransmitter synthesis and reduces neuroinflammation.
Adrenal Issues
Conventional Medicine: Often overlooked unless Addison’s or Cushing’s is diagnosed
Functional Medicine: Evaluates cortisol rhythm, stress load, and HPA axis function
Mechanism of Action: Chronic stress disrupts cortisol production and feedback loops. Functional medicine supports adrenal resilience through adaptogens, sleep, and nervous system regulation
Alzheimer's Disease
Conventional Medicine: Typically managed with cholinesterase inhibitors and memory-enhancing drugs, which may slow progression but do not address root causes.
Functional Medicine: Focuses on reversing cognitive decline by targeting insulin resistance, inflammation, toxin exposure, and nutrient deficiencies.
Mechanism of Action: Alzheimer’s disease involves amyloid-beta plaque accumulation, tau protein tangles, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Functional medicine supports brain health by enhancing detoxification, restoring insulin sensitivity, optimizing mitochondrial function, and reducing oxidative stress through personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
Arthritis
Conventional Medicine: Treats with NSAIDs, steroids, or joint injections
Functional Medicine: Targets inflammation, immune triggers, and joint repair
Mechanism of Action: Arthritis involves cytokine-driven inflammation, oxidative stress, and cartilage degradation. Functional medicine modulates immune response and supports joint regeneration
Autism
Conventional Medicine: Offers behavioral therapy and medications for symptoms like irritability or hyperactivity.
Functional Medicine: Investigates gut-brain axis, detoxification, and nutrient imbalances to support neurodevelopment
Mechanism of Action: Autism may involve neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired methylation. Functional medicine supports detox, mitochondrial function, and neurotransmitter balance.
Autoimmune Disorders
Conventional Medicine: Uses immunosuppressants to manage symptoms, often without addressing triggers
Functional Medicine: Identifies root causes like leaky gut, infections, and toxins to rebalance immune function
Mechanism of Action: Autoimmunity arises from loss of immune tolerance, often triggered by intestinal permeability, molecular mimicry from infections, and dysbiosis. Functional medicine modulates immune responses via gut healing, detoxification, and stress regulation
Bone & Joint Problems
Conventional Medicine: Treats with NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or joint replacement
Functional Medicine: Focuses on nutrient repletion, inflammation reduction, and biomechanical alignment
Mechanism of Action: Joint degeneration often involves oxidative stress, collagen breakdown, and immune activation. Functional medicine supports bone remodeling and cartilage repair through targeted nutrition and lifestyle
Brain Fog
Conventional Medicine: Typically dismissed or attributed to aging or stress, with no targeted treatment
Functional Medicine: Investigates inflammation, gut permeability, and detox pathways to clear cognitive haze
Mechanism of Action: Brain fog may result from neuroinflammation triggered by gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and elevated cytokines. Functional medicine supports the gut-brain axis and reduces systemic inflammation through diet and microbiome repair
Cancer
Conventional Medicine: Uses surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
Functional Medicine: Supports terrain theory: immune surveillance, detoxification, and metabolic balance
Mechanism of Action: Cancer involves mitochondrial dysfunction, immune evasion, and angiogenesis. Functional medicine enhances immune recognition, reduces oxidative stress, and supports apoptosis pathways
Cardiovascular Health
Conventional Medicine: Manages cholesterol and blood pressure with medications
Functional Medicine: Targets inflammation, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction
Mechanism of Action: Atherosclerosis is driven by oxidative stress, endothelial damage, and lipid oxidation. Functional medicine improves nitric oxide signaling, reduces inflammation, and balances lipids naturally
Chronic Fatigue
Conventional Medicine: Often treated with antidepressants or stimulants, with limited investigation into underlying causes
Functional Medicine: Explores mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient depletion, and hormonal imbalances to restore energy
Mechanism of Action: Chronic fatigue is often linked to impaired mitochondrial ATP production, adrenal dysregulation, and oxidative stress. Functional medicine targets mitochondrial cofactors (e.g., CoQ10, carnitine, magnesium) and cortisol rhythm to restore cellular energy
Dementia
Conventional Medicine: Offers medications to manage symptoms and slow progression, often without investigating contributing factors
Functional Medicine: Identifies and addresses reversible contributors such as nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and vascular health
Mechanism of Action: Dementia arises from multifactorial brain degeneration including impaired cerebral blood flow, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter imbalance. Functional medicine improves cognitive resilience by supporting vascular integrity, reducing inflammation, and replenishing key nutrients like B12, omega-3s, and antioxidants
Depression
Conventional Medicine: Prescribes SSRIs or other antidepressants
Functional Medicine: Investigates gut health, inflammation, and nutrient cofactors
Mechanism of Action: Depression is linked to neuroinflammation, HPA axis dysregulation, and neurotransmitter imbalances. Functional medicine supports serotonin, dopamine, and B-vitamin pathways
Eye Issues
Conventional Medicine: Treats with drops, surgery, or laser therapy
Functional Medicine: Investigates oxidative stress, blood sugar, and nutrient deficiencies
Mechanism of Action: Conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma involve mitochondrial stress and vascular compromise. Functional medicine supports retinal health through antioxidants and microcirculation
Female Sex Hormone Issues
Conventional Medicine: Prescribes birth control or HRT without investigating hormonal root causes
Functional Medicine: Balances hormones through diet, stress reduction, and liver detox pathways
Mechanism of Action: Hormonal imbalances stem from disrupted estrogen metabolism, insulin resistance, and adrenal stress. Functional medicine supports liver detoxification (phase I/II), gut clearance of estrogen metabolites, and adrenal resilience to restore hormonal harmony
Fibromyalgia
Conventional Medicine: Uses painkillers and antidepressants with limited long-term relief
Functional Medicine: Targets mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic infections, and HPA axis imbalance
Mechanism of Action: Fibromyalgia involves central sensitization, mitochondrial energy deficits, and neuroinflammation. Functional medicine enhances ATP production, modulates neurotransmitters, and reduces oxidative stress through targeted nutrition and lifestyle therapies
Gut Health
Conventional Medicine: Treats with antacids, antibiotics, or surgery, often missing root causes
Functional Medicine: Uses stool testing, food sensitivity analysis, and microbiome support to heal digestion
Mechanism of Action: Gut dysfunction arises from dysbiosis, leaky gut, and impaired digestion. Functional medicine restores microbial balance, repairs intestinal permeability, and supports enzyme and acid production for optimal nutrient absorption
Hair Loss
Conventional Medicine: Offers minoxidil, finasteride, or hormone therapy
Functional Medicine: Addresses thyroid, nutrient status, and androgen metabolism
Mechanism of Action: Hair loss often involves DHT sensitivity, iron or zinc deficiency, and thyroid dysfunction. Functional medicine restores follicle health through hormonal and nutritional balance
Inflammation
Conventional Medicine: Suppresses symptoms with NSAIDs or steroids, which may have long-term side effects
Functional Medicine: Identifies and removes inflammatory triggers like food sensitivities and infections
Mechanism of Action: Chronic inflammation is driven by immune dysregulation, gut permeability, and oxidative stress. Functional medicine reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) through anti-inflammatory diets, microbiome support, and stress reduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Conventional Medicine: Uses antispasmodics, laxatives, or antidepressants
Functional Medicine: Identifies SIBO, food sensitivities, and gut-brain axis dysfunction
Mechanism of Action: IBS involves dysbiosis, visceral hypersensitivity, and gut permeability. Functional medicine restores microbial balance and calms the enteric nervous system
Longevity
Conventional Medicine: Focuses on disease management and screenings
Functional Medicine: Optimizes cellular health, inflammation, and metabolic resilience
Mechanism of Action: Aging is driven by telomere shortening, mitochondrial decline, and chronic inflammation (“inflammaging”). Functional medicine targets these through lifestyle, nutrient support, and hormesis
Lupus
Conventional Medicine: Uses immunosuppressants and corticosteroids to manage flares
Functional Medicine: Seeks root causes like infections, leaky gut, and toxic exposures to calm autoimmunity
Mechanism of Action: Lupus involves loss of immune tolerance, molecular mimicry, and systemic inflammation. Functional medicine restores immune balance through gut healing and detoxification
Lyme Disease
Conventional Medicine: Focuses on short-term antibiotics, often missing chronic or post-treatment symptoms
Functional Medicine: Addresses persistent infection, immune dysregulation, and detox pathways for long-term recovery
Mechanism of Action: Chronic Lyme may involve immune evasion by Borrelia, biofilm formation, and co-infections. Functional medicine targets microbial load, supports mitochondrial repair, and modulates immune response
Male Sex Hormone Issues
Conventional Medicine: Often prescribes testosterone replacement without addressing underlying dysfunction
Functional Medicine: Restores hormonal balance through sleep, stress management, and metabolic support
Mechanism of Action: Low testosterone may result from HPA axis dysfunction, insulin resistance, and excessive aromatization to estrogen. Functional medicine uses nutrient repletion (zinc, magnesium), stress modulation, and detoxification to optimize endogenous hormone production
Migraines
Conventional Medicine: Uses painkillers, triptans, or preventive medications
Functional Medicine: Identifies triggers like food sensitivities, hormonal shifts, and mitochondrial dysfunction
Mechanism of Action: Migraines often stem from cortical spreading depression, neurovascular inflammation, and mitochondrial energy deficits. Functional medicine improves ATP production and reduces neuroinflammation
Mold Toxicity
Conventional Medicine: May not recognize mold illness unless acute
Functional Medicine: Tests for mycotoxins, supports detox, and removes exposure
Mechanism of Action: Mold exposure triggers immune dysregulation, mitochondrial damage, and neuroinflammation. Functional medicine enhances biotransformation and cellular repair
Multiple Sclerosis
Conventional Medicine: Uses immunosuppressants and disease-modifying therapies
Functional Medicine: Supports immune modulation, gut health, and mitochondrial repair
Mechanism of Action: MS involves demyelination, T-cell activation, and neuroinflammation. Functional medicine reduces autoimmunity through gut-brain axis healing and nutrient optimization
Neuropathy
Conventional Medicine: Treats with pain meds or antidepressants.
Functional Medicine: Identifies root causes like diabetes, toxins, or nutrient deficiencies
Mechanism of Action: Neuropathy involves axonal damage, oxidative stress, and impaired nerve regeneration. Functional medicine supports nerve repair with B-vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid, and anti-inflammatory protocols
Oral Health
Conventional Medicine: Focuses on cleanings, fillings, and antibiotics for infections
Functional Medicine: Connects oral microbiome, systemic inflammation, and gut health
Mechanism of Action: Periodontal disease contributes to systemic inflammation via bacterial endotoxins and immune activation. Functional medicine supports oral-gut-immune axis and reduces chronic inflammation
Schizophrenia
Conventional Medicine: Uses antipsychotics to manage symptoms
Functional Medicine: Explores mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and nutrient imbalances
Mechanism of Action: Schizophrenia may involve glutamate and dopamine dysregulation, mitochondrial deficits, and neuroinflammation. Functional medicine supports brain metabolism and antioxidant defenses
Seizure Disorders
Conventional Medicine: Uses antiepileptic drugs to suppress seizures
Functional Medicine: Investigates nutrient deficiencies, gut-brain axis, and mitochondrial health
Mechanism of Action: Seizures are seen as a result of systemic imbalances—especially neuroinflammation, excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitter disruption, and mitochondrial dysfunction—that affect brain signaling. Functional medicine implements personalized interventions—such as anti-inflammatory diets, targeted nutrient therapy, and detoxification protocols—to restore neurological balance and reduce seizure triggers.
Sinusitis
Conventional Medicine: Uses antibiotics, steroids, or surgery
Functional Medicine: Identifies food sensitivities, mold exposure, and immune imbalances
Mechanism of Action: Chronic sinusitis involves biofilms, fungal overgrowth, and immune dysregulation. Functional medicine reduces inflammation and supports mucosal immunity
Skin Issues
Conventional Medicine: Treats with topical steroids or antibiotics, often without addressing internal triggers
Functional Medicine: Links skin health to gut integrity, detox pathways, and immune modulation
Mechanism of Action: Skin conditions like eczema and acne often stem from gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and impaired detoxification. Functional medicine supports the gut-skin axis, reduces systemic inflammation, and enhances liver clearance of toxins
Sleep Issues
Conventional Medicine: Uses sedatives or sleep aids that may disrupt natural sleep architecture.
Functional Medicine: Restores circadian rhythm and neurotransmitter balance for deep, restorative sleep
Mechanism of Action: Sleep dysfunction often involves HPA axis dysregulation, melatonin-cortisol imbalance, and gut-derived neurotransmitter disruption. Functional medicine realigns circadian signals via light exposure, stress reduction, and microbiome support
Thyroid Disorder
Conventional Medicine: Treats with synthetic T4 and monitors TSH, often ignoring conversion and absorption issues
Functional Medicine: Evaluates full thyroid panel, adrenal health, and nutrient cofactors for optimal function
Mechanism of Action: Thyroid dysfunction often involves impaired T4-to-T3 conversion, autoimmune attack (e.g., Hashimoto’s), and disrupted hormone transport due to toxins or nutrient deficiencies (selenium, zinc, iodine). Functional medicine restores balance through detox and micronutrient support
Vascular Health
Conventional Medicine: Focuses on blood pressure and cholesterol control
Functional Medicine: Improves endothelial function, nitric oxide, and inflammation
Mechanism of Action: Vascular dysfunction stems from oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and endothelial injury. Functional medicine restores vascular tone and reduces plaque formation
Functional Medicine VS.
Conventional Medicine
Functional medicine was formalized in the early 1990s by biochemist Dr. Jeffrey Bland and his colleagues, who founded the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) in 1991. It is a science-based, personalized approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease by considering genetics, environment, and lifestyle, and combines elements of conventional medicine with holistic and integrative practices. The concept builds on earlier ideas of treating the whole person, integrating systems biology with ancient and traditional healthcare concepts, and an emerging understanding of epigenetics
Principle
Functional Medicine
Conventional Medicine
Approach to Care
Root-cause focused. Treats underlying imbalances
Symptom-focused. Treats disease with standardized protocols.
Diagnosis
Systems biology and advanced testing. Looks at genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
Based on symptoms and clinical guidelines. Often uses imaging and lab tests.
Treatment modalities
Nutrition, lifestyle changes, supplements, stress management, and sometimes meds
Primarily medications, surgery, and acute interventions
Preventive Focus
Strong emphasis on prevention and long-term wellness
Focused on managing existing disease and preventing complications.
View of the body
Integrated systems. Body functions as a whole.
Segmented systems. Specialists treat isolated organs or symptoms