Preventive and Functional Medicine: The Science of Being Wise About Your Health
Author: Gregory Kliger, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Personalized Functional Medicine and the American Metabolic Institute
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Good quality sleep, sufficient exercise, healthy nutrition are the basis for a long and healthy life. However, nowadays life rhythm significantly limits our time to keep up with work, leisure, and to stick to ideal plan of nutrition, sports and sleep. So then how do we get all the needed for our body nutrients to maintain and replenish natural vital reserves? That is where biologically active food supplements (BAFS) and functional products come to our aid. What is the difference between them and what are we looking for? Let’s discuss it in more details.
Prevent early, medicate later
What is the preventive approach in functional medicine? “The earlier, the better” is the principle of such approach. If the traditional method mainly involves treatment of an already manifested disease, then the functional one is aimed at disease prevention long before the symptoms appear, according to the personalized metabolic indicators. This preventive method is individualized and aimed to avoid unnecessary premature body wear and tear.
Causes of premature body aging
As we all are so different outside, people are also very different inside, by having unique metabolism and natural reserves, determined by our genetic structure. During our lifetime, person uses available body resources. Personal activity and interaction with surroundings, stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise – all those factors are superimposed on genetics and affect metabolism, leading to chronic diseases of aging. Obviously, it is very important to monitor the nutritional balance of vitamins and minerals, since the body tends to get depleted.
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Prevention in action
Based on clinical and laboratory testing, specialist may determine the deficiencies or toxicity of certain elements, influencing human physiology. That indicates possible dysfunctions and development of premature chronic age-related diseases. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, excessive weight, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, arthritis, and coronary heart disease, – those are chronic conditions, progressing with age. But all of them may be prevented by lifestyle change, by replenishing personal vital reserves and by providing body with multiple needed nutrients.
With Functional Medicine we are also able to correct symptoms, familiar to most.. So, a lack of carnitine can cause fatigue, low energy and mood. Vitamin D deficiency leads to variety of functional disorders of immune and cardio-vascular systems, sun sensitivity, increased allergic and inflammatory reactions, musculoskeletal system disorders, loss of tendon elasticity.
With Functional Medicine we are also able to correct symptoms, familiar to most.. So, a lack of carnitine can cause fatigue, low energy and mood. Vitamin D deficiency leads to variety of functional disorders of immune and cardio-vascular systems, sun sensitivity, increased allergic and inflammatory reactions, musculoskeletal system disorders, loss of tendon elasticity.
Founders and followers: the development of preventive medicine
The functional approach in medicine is considered relatively new, started only about 30 years ago. Since then, these methods gained popularity and attracted attention of more and more people. There are over 20 professional organizations in the world, engaged in practice and training specialists of functional medicine. The leader among them is American Academy of Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine (A4M). Although methods of each organization may vary, the goal remains: to improve human reserves, prolong life and prevent disease. Nowadays, about 40 000 doctors in Europe, the United States, and Canada already engaged in practice of functional medicine.
Development of Nutraceuticals
RegenoLife is one of leading laboratories in the field of preventive medicine, was founded in the USA about 6 years ago by Dr. Gregory Kliger, fellow of the American Academy of Personalized Functional Medicine and the American Metabolic Institute. The main goal of the laboratory is studying, development and distribution of nutraceutical products along with manufacturers. At the same time direct introduction of products to patients remains an important aspect of their work.
Together with clinical specialists a number of proprietary protocols were developed, where nutraceuticals and medications are actually being used to change patients lifestyle, treat obesity, improve sexual health, as well as to support muscle mass to prevent age-related sarcopenia and osteoporosis (muscle and bone loss), and even to correct premature hormonal decline.
Together with clinical specialists a number of proprietary protocols were developed, where nutraceuticals and medications are actually being used to change patients lifestyle, treat obesity, improve sexual health, as well as to support muscle mass to prevent age-related sarcopenia and osteoporosis (muscle and bone loss), and even to correct premature hormonal decline.
At the RegenoLife we are years to your life and add life to your years
Application of functional medicine gives more than just prevention of age-related changes. Based on the fundamental science with this approach, person may independently contribute to their future health, to improve athletic performance, adjust personal nutrition and to establish an individually tailored life rhythm. Even in the absence of opportunity to devote lots of time and financial resources to visit gym, or to purchase expensive nutrition, mattresses and pillows with well-advertised fillings, there is an opportunity to establish proper “lifestyle”.
After all, in order to maintain health, there are alternatives to expensive and time-consuming activity. Walking may become your exercise and a source of fresh air for a good quality sleep. Functional products and drinks with a well-balanced amount of various micronutrients, necessary to replenish body reserves is an affordable and convenient alternative to daily consumption of superfoods.
At the same time, if you cannot achieve desired results, it is undoubtedly worth speaking to a specialist to determine causes of functional loss and to receive an individual set of measures for health maintenance to prevent premature aging.
After all, in order to maintain health, there are alternatives to expensive and time-consuming activity. Walking may become your exercise and a source of fresh air for a good quality sleep. Functional products and drinks with a well-balanced amount of various micronutrients, necessary to replenish body reserves is an affordable and convenient alternative to daily consumption of superfoods.
At the same time, if you cannot achieve desired results, it is undoubtedly worth speaking to a specialist to determine causes of functional loss and to receive an individual set of measures for health maintenance to prevent premature aging.
