What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is an integrative, science-based healthcare approach that treats illness and promotes wellness by focusing assessment on the biochemically unique aspects of each patient, and then individually tailors interventions to restore physiological, psychological, and structural balance. Functional medicine uses the patient's whole story as a key tool for integrating diagnosis, signs and symptoms, and evidence of clinical imbalances into a comprehensive approach.

Functional medicine is personalized medicine that deals with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of symptoms for serious chronic disease. It is a science-based field of health care that is grounded in the following principles:

• Biochemical individuality describes the importance of individual variations in metabolic function that derive from genetic and environmental differences among individuals.
  
• Patient-centered medicine emphasizes "patient care" rather than "disease care," following Sir William Osler’s admonition that "It is more important to know what patient has the disease than to know what disease the patient has."
  
• Dynamic balance of internal and external factors.
  
• Web-like interconnections of physiological factors – an abundance of research now supports the view that the human body functions as an orchestrated network of interconnected systems, rather than individual systems functioning autonomously and without effect on each other. For example, we now know that immunological dysfunctions can promote cardiovascular disease, that dietary imbalances can cause hormonal disturbances, and that environmental exposures can precipitate neurologic syndromes such as Parkinson’s disease.
  
• Health as a positive vitality – not merely the absence of disease.
  
• Promotion of organ reserve as the means to enhance health span.

Functional medicine is anchored by an examination of the core clinical imbalances that underlie various disease conditions. Those imbalances arise as environmental inputs such as diet, nutrients (including air and water), exercise, and trauma are processed by one’s body, mind, and spirit through a unique set of genetic predispositions, attitudes, and beliefs. The fundamental physiological processes include communication, both outside and inside the cell; bioenergetics, or the transformation of food into energy; replication, repair, and maintenance of structural integrity, from the cellular to the whole body level; elimination of waste; protection and defense; and transport and circulation.

Information provided by The Institute for Functional Medicine.

To learn more about functional medicine, view this pdf.

Functional Medicine Testimonials:

Functional Medicine Testimonial: Gary Todd

"How is Your Health?” After not talking to Dr. Jerry for a couple of months that is the first question he asked me and that may sum up our relationship what I am going to say about Dr. Jerry Moylan.

I met Dr. Jerry in March of 2009 at a Kettlebell Lifting competition held at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. It is easy to spot Jerry. He is the friendly guy, built like Bruce Lee, with the endless smile, endless energy and enormous talent. After briefly getting to know each other after Jerry won his division, I made a comment to Jerry something like, “I want some of what you have” and he replied, “I can help you with that”. We talked and later emailed about how this might work since Dr. Jerry is in San Diego and I live in Louisiana. I soon found out that it would work with plenty of interaction with Dr. Jerry on the phone, email, written correspondence and in short, any means necessary. It soon became clear that the level of dedication that Dr. Jerry puts into his personal athletic endeavors he puts into his clients as well.

Well since that time, help he did. Dr. Jerry worked with me meticulously on my lifestyle, workout plans, diet, supplemental intake and injuries. My results were verified via blood tests conducted by two different Medical Doctors in tests they ordered. Here are the actual numbers of what was accomplished:

After the first 21 days, I continued on my weight loss and workout regimen and eventually settled in at a weight of around 150 pounds with a body fat percentage around 12%.

My energy level now is incredible and I follow a workout regimen with my kettlebells, road bicycle and martial arts that would make kids in their 20's jealous for the intensity level. After knee surgery on both knees in the past, neither of them bothers me anymore with my current level of fitness, weight loss and body fat percentage. I only look to improve more in these endeavors.

At 50 years old, I am looking forward in the coming year to competing in Kettlebell competitions, Bicycle racing and Martial Arts tournaments. Whether I win or not is of little concern to me.

As Dr. Jerry and I have discussed – I have already won the most important competition in the health arena with his help and guidance. Dr. Jerry constantly pushed me for Health, Health and more health.

I am happy to recommend Dr. Jerry and his services to anyone who is interested in getting better at their particular discipline, but more importantly improve their health and well being.

I can be contacted at toddgf@bellsouth.net for any further detail or questions that you may have.

Gary Todd
Heat instructor of World Eagle Claw Association in Louisiana http://www.weca-la.com/

Functional Medicine Testimonial: Dr. John Paul Condon

I first went to see Dr. Jerry after about 8 years of triathlons, anywhere from sprint to ironman distances, many century bike rides and marathons. As you can guess all of that endurance training put some stress on my body's physiology. I ended up with contact dermatitis on the tops of my feet which was very itchy and irritating. I was not able to run or do much endurance activity. If I did it would continously flare-up. After completing all the blood and hormone testing with Dr. Jerry we found out the cause of my symptoms. It took time to heal. After about 6 months of dietary changes, nutrition, herbal, and hormonal supplementation my body was finally able to heal. I can now run and participate in longer endurance events once again without having any flare-ups. Thank you Dr.Jerry for all your help and for also helping all of my patients that I refer over to you.

Dr. John Paul Condon, D.C.

Functional Medicine Testimonial: Carey Marshall

Dear Jerry,

Thank you for introducing me to the 21 day cleanse and educating me on a new way to live. Over the years you had mentioned a cleanse to me, but NEVER did I think that I would have the desire or motivation to complete it. But last December - the time was right for me. With an injured back which kept me from any exercise and a body that needed to be "cleansed," I decided to go for it!

These 21 days were not easy for me - as a matter of fact - they were very difficult. There were times I felt like I would never be able to finish - especially the ski weekend to Mammouth. My lifestyle took a major detour for those 21 days and I am proud to stay (for the most part) I have stayed on that road.

I feel like I am a new person in several ways - (20 lbs less)! I have a different way of looking at food and everything I put into my mouth. I realize that truly, you are what you eat. I don't have to workout like crazy everyday to keep my weight where it should be. My head is in a better place because of that. I am thoroughly enjoying my new way of living. I do not have the ups and downs of caffeine & sugar, because I no longer depend on it for energy. Also, my sleeping patterns are back to normal.

I look forward to happy, healthy eating now and forever.

Thanks again!

Carey Marshall

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Functional Medicine Videos
Courtesy of VIS (Vitality and Wellness, LLC)