Functional medicine is a healthcare approach that treats the root causes of disease by examining how body systems interact and affect overall health.

So what exactly is functional medicine?

According to the Institute for Functional Medicine, “Functional medicine restores healthy function by treating the root causes of disease.”

Functional medicine vs naturopathic medicine

According to Toronto Integrative & Functional Medicine:

“Functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease through a systems-based approach…while naturopathic medicine emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself through natural therapies and prevention.”

FAQs

What is functional medicine?

According to the Institute for Functional Medicine, “Functional medicine restores healthy function by treating the root causes of disease.”

Why do people say there are problems with functional medicine?

Concerns include unvalidated testing, supplement-heavy plans, inconsistent training, and marketing that overstates results. However, evidence-based practitioners do exist within the field.

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