integrative & functional medicine

Here you’ll find articles that are about or related to the fields of integrative and functional medicine. Integrative medicine takes the point of view that your health is influenced by every aspect of your life, including physical, mental, environmental, and social factors. The goal of integrative medicine is to get the root cause of health issues, rather than treating symptoms, and this is done by drawing on a variety of different medical approaches, often bringing together conventional and alternative medicine.

Functional medicine is a science-based system of medicine that focuses on finding the underlying cause of disease with a systems-oriented approach that addresses the whole person. Functional medicine doctors use specific lab tests to identify issues, and work in partnership with patients to develop a course of treatment that takes a holistic view of each unique individual. Like integrative medicine, functional medicine often combines conventional and alternative modes of treatment. 

Read these articles to hear insights and stories about integrative and functional medicine. 

Dr. Gerard Mullin on Prebiotics for Gut Health, Weight Gain from Antibiotics, and More

Dr. Gerard Mullin on Prebiotics for Gut Health, Weight Gain from Antibiotics, and More

The gut microbiome is a dynamic living ecosystem made up of 100 trillion microbes in the intestinal tract. This complex system of viruses, bacteria, and fungi protects against foreign pathogens, helps regulate the immune system and control inflammation, and may even affect your mood— among its many other functions. In this clip from our full interview, we talked to Dr. Gerard Mullin, associate associate professor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and renowned integrative gastroenterology and nutrition expert, about the importance of probiotics and prebiotics for the health of the gut microbiome.
How this Economist Used Spreadsheets to Heal Autoimmune Disease

How this Economist Used Spreadsheets to Heal Autoimmune Disease

Mette was 14 years old when she was diagnosed with her first autoimmune condition, psoriasis. She noticed three red dots on her neck, then woke up the next day covered in them. “The shock in and of itself was pretty disturbing to a young girl,” she told WellBe. This was the beginning of a decades-long struggle with chronic illness, which led to five more diagnoses, a ton of drug prescriptions, and, ultimately, the realization that she wasn’t far from death. That’s when she decided to take control of her treatment, find true health — and found a company, Mymee, that helps others do the same.
Dr. Robert Graham of FRESH Med on Finding the Root Cause of Health Issues

Dr. Robert Graham of FRESH Med on Finding the Root Cause of Health Issues

Conventional medicine has the attitude of a “pill for an ill,” but Dr. Robert Graham of FRESH Med in Brooklyn, NY, is working to change that in favor of getting to the root cause of disease using a food-first approach. Graham started out as an internal medicine doc and then got his Master’s of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health while also getting a fellowship in Integrative Medical Therapies at Harvard Medical School. When he was at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, he started the first education and edible rooftop garden at a hospital in the city. Patients and employees got to enjoy the fresh produce. In 2016, he started FRESH Med, an integrative health practice located within Physio Logic, a wellness center in Brooklyn.  
What’s A Thermography Scan? Tammy Kohlschmidt Explains Infrared Thermography

What’s A Thermography Scan? Tammy Kohlschmidt Explains Infrared Thermography

Thermography, or digital infrared thermal imaging, is a screening method which catches dysfunctions before they becomes symptoms, Tammy Kohlschmidt, a certified clinical thermographer at Thermography for Health New York in New York City, tells WellBe. By taking images that show body temperature and blood flow and looking for abnormal variations, clinicians can help screen for disease. Though thermography and mammograms are both assessment tools (meaning they’re not diagnostic), thermography is not a replacement for mammograms and shouldn’t be solely used to diagnose breast cancer, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Former CEO of Aetna Mark Bertolini on How Holistic Insurance and Preventative Healthcare Can Fix Our Broken System

Former CEO of Aetna Mark Bertolini on How Holistic Insurance and Preventative Healthcare Can Fix Our Broken System

Mark Bertolini had worked in private health insurance for his whole adult life, and never considered any sort of integrative therapies. Then, two personal health crises showed him firsthand the importance of holistic healthcare and the failures of the current system. As CEO of Aetna — a role he left in late 2019  when he sold the company to CVS — he implemented sweeping changes that reflected his newfound viewpoint. Read on to learn about his own transformative health journey, how he changed the culture of Aetna, why he believes holistic insurance and preventative healthcare can help fix the U.S. healthcare system, and more.