Discover the Root Causes of Your Health Issues Through Functional and Holistic Medicine

Are you tired of slapping band-aids on your health problems and want to get to the root cause of your issues? If you've been struggling with health problems for years or even facing recent health challenges, this post is for you. It's time to step into a journey of true wellness and feeling good everyday.

My Personal Health Journey

Discover how I transformed my life from enduring constant stomach issues believing I had IBS for life (something just had to “deal with forever”) to embarking on a wellness journey and feeling better than ever. From debilitating symptoms and embarrassing situations to taking charge of my health, I learned the power of being my own advocate and finding the root cause of my problems.

A Glimpse Into the Turning Point

After eight years of medical confusion, countless doctor visits, and unfruitful tests, I reached a pivotal moment. In 2016, a sudden and alarming weight loss of 15 pounds within a week triggered my determination to get to the bottom of my health problems. Three colonoscopies and one endoscopy later, my persistence paid off. After doing research and learning about celiac disease, I urged them to do the endoscopy. Indeed, the endoscopy confirmed my suspicions, forcing me to eliminate gluten from my diet. This was the start of my profound wellness journey.

A Blessing in Disguise

Being Italian, gluten was a staple in my daily diet. I was shocked to find out how gluten was damaging my small intestine lining causing me to not be able to absorb nutrients. However, this revelation became a blessing, initiating my transformative wellness journey. In a time when gluten-free options were scarce, navigating through New York City's dining scene was challenging. 'Glutened' numerous times, I embraced the art of reading food labels, focusing on ingredients rather than marketing tactics or calorie counting.

Unveiling Harmful Ingredients

There was no wellness book given to me to navigate this new world of being gluten free. I found myself finding obscure ingredients on food packaging like titanium dioxide, guar gum, natural flavors, Red40, and high fructose corn syrup. At the time I sadly lived off a diet that was filled with lots of ultra processed foods. It was eye-opening to uncover the harmful nature of these ingredients and that they were mainly added just to extend shelf life yet were banned in other countries. This realization prompted me to question the complexity of processed foods and advocate for a simpler, whole-food-based diet.

Embracing Holistic Wellness

Cutting out gluten changed my entire life, I was no longer suffering from my stomach problems and started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately four years later, I started facing other health challenges like bloating, gas, and losing my hair. It was after moving to Los Angeles that I discovered holistic and functional medicine. I was committed to understanding and healing my body's foundation by working with doctors that prioritize root cause investigation over symptomatic relief. I found out that I was deficient in many nutrients, had hormonal imbalances, and had a stomach infection called SIBO & H Pylori. This is what kicked off my deep passion for health and wellness, learning what is really in our food and products, and how you can take control of your life. This dedication led me to attain certification in holistic health, propelling me further into this enlightening journey.

Functional and Holistic Medicine

Functional and holistic medicine focuses on treating the whole person, not just symptoms. Understanding the core principles and how these approaches can bring about lasting change by identifying root causes and promoting preventive measures. If you are not familiar with each and why you should explore getting to the root cause of your problems here is more information:

Functional medicine explores imbalances within the body's interconnected systems. Practitioners gain deep insights into health by utilizing advanced lab tests and extensive patient histories. During my initial session with my Functional Doctor, every aspect of my life was discussed, including diet, sleep, stress, exercise, hormones, libido, family history, symptoms, and supplements.

Core principles of functional medicine:

• Personalized Care: Tailored treatment plans based on unique genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
• Systems-Based Approach: Viewing the body as an interconnected system, addressing imbalances that affect multiple areas.
• Root Cause Identification: Focus on finding and addressing the underlying causes of illness or dysfunction, rather than symptom management.
• Preventive Focus: Emphasizing preventive measures and lifestyle changes for long-term health.
• Integration of Therapies: Combining conventional medical treatments with complementary and alternative therapies for a holistic approach.

Holistic medicine, also known as integrative medicine, takes a broader view of health, emphasizing the integration of the mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to support the body's natural healing processes and enhance overall well-being. Holistic medicine practitioners believe that all aspects of a person's life are interconnected and impact their health. That the mind is just as important as the body and you cannot address one without the other. Here's a glimpse of the key components:

• Mind-Body Connection: Acknowledging the impact of mental and emotional factors on physical health.
• Personalized Care: Tailoring treatments to individual needs, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Encouraging positive shifts in diet, exercise, stress management, mindfulness, and other daily practices.
• Integrated Therapies: Blending traditional medical treatments with complementary approaches such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
• Preventive Focus: Prioritizing preventive strategies by addressing risk factors and advocating healthy behaviors.

Healthcare vs. Sickcare

Our current system predominantly operates under the principles of sickcare rather than true healthcare.

• Healthcare: This holistic approach to wellness emphasizes prevention, well-being, and optimizing overall health. It encourages proactive measures like nutrition, exercise, and stress management to sustain good health.

• Sickcare: In contrast, sickcare revolves around managing illnesses and diseases after their onset. It relies heavily on pharmaceuticals and medical procedures to alleviate symptoms rather than addressing the fundamental causes. The focus is primarily on reactive treatment rather than proactive prevention.

Merging Functional Medicine and Holistic Wisdom

When I truly started to see myself fully heal was when I combined functional medicine with mindfulness and intuition. There is no one size fits all for anything, you need to learn what works best for you. Listening to your gut, literally.

There is much more to health beyond the food we eat. Delve deeper into the mind-body connection and how understanding your thoughts and self-talk can significantly impact your health. Learn how healing the mind and releasing suppressed energy can be as crucial as dietary and exercise changes.

What you can expect from Spring Forward Club 

Stay tuned for posts that will uncover the mind-body connection, gut health's impact on overall well-being, health and wellness tips, mindful practices, grocery shopping, and more. Learn how to make healthier brand swaps, recipes, and embrace lifestyle changes that empower you on your path to optimal health.

Join me as we navigate this journey together toward a happier, healthier, and more vibrant life. I am a walking example of all the possibilities from physical sickness and victim mentality to clarity, healthy habits, being in control of my thoughts, and manifesting the life I have always dreamed of. Stay tuned for more empowering content and actionable insights!