The Most Important Piece of the Nutritional Puzzle
Your 'health history' is the most important piece of the nutritional puzzle. Together we are investigating a very complex system---YOU! You will fill out a comprehensive questionnaire, which I will send you, and you will send back, prior to your consultation. We look at your health timeline. I will also review any of your current labs in addition to your genetics. (i.e., blood tests, hormones, micronutrients, neurotransmitters, urine organic acids, gastro-intestional, heavy metals, etc.) The more data I have about you, the better to determine which genes may be expressing and causing your health issues. Ideally, this is the first step to a healthier, happier you!
This consult incorporates your genetics whether it be 23 and Me or our new 'Genomic Resource DNA Kit' which is superior to 23 and MeTM with more than 200,000 additional genes; a total of over 902,000.
Read more about it on my blog.
COMPREHESIVE NUTRIGENOMIC CONSULTATION $500.00
We use a Functional Medicine/Nutritional approach whereby we look for the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented methodology and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. Functional Medicine/Nutrition, accompanied by genetics, is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. We start this process by taking a very detailed health history, labs/test results, prior treatments and failed treatments and the applicable genetic variant reports, etc.
I like to ensure a healthy GI function and any needed detoxification before we address methylation or other biochemical pathways, so your protocol may address GI issues in the early phase. Your GUT Microbiome is critically important. Foundational health practices and good nutrition will also be addressed early on. We look at the probability of leaky gut, leaky cells, leaky brain and mitochondrial dysfunction, while we focus on 'cell danger response' (Dr. Naviaux.) When your cell membranes become increasingly healthy, then you will become healthy, and we will then begin the next stage of your recovery.
We also review 'epigenetics' and how it applies to you and your lifestyle. Why? Recent research by Alessio Fascano, MD, suggests that besides influencing many systems of the body (e.g., immune system, neurotransmitters, etc.) our gut microbiome may exert influence on our genome, via epigenetics. This is connected to our dietary choices and environmental exposures as they dynamically influence our gut microbiome composition.
We'll be concentrating on the 5 R's of recovery:
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REMOVE
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REPLACE / REPLENISH
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REPAIR / RETRAIN
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RE-INOCULATE
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REBALANCE / RE-SET
In addition to 'Food and Supplements,' we will be addressing the following fundamentals of optimal health:
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WATER and AIR
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GENETICS
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GUT​ HEALTH
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HORMONES
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ACIDITY and ALKALINITY
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ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
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HEAVY METALS
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DENTAL DISTURBANCE
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EXPOSURE TO BACTERIA/VIRUSES/FUNGUSES
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ELECTROMAGNETIC DISTURBANCES
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EMOTIONAL TRAUMA
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STRESS
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AGING
Without fundamental changes in these root causes, there can be no real healing. Restoring the body with functional medicine is done through detoxification, rebuilding the digestive system, strengthening the immune system and alkalizing your body through diet, to support the proper pH, one of the most important foundations of health.
As we proceed, I will be reviewing your SNPs and plotting them on your biochemical pathways to see where the roadblocks may occur and determine next steps. Why? Having a SNP doesn't necessarily mean it's expressing in its associated enzyme/protein, so it's best if I can align health issues, potential triggers, and determine how they relate to your particular SNP expression and with family health history.
In addition, we all have inherited 'loss of function' genetic mutations, in conjunction with environmental influences, that have caused us to become ill, and now we can participate in our own early intervention and/or prevention. It’s an investigative process which takes time, patience, and compliance. Each and every one of you is unique. Think of it as peeling back the many layers of an onion. I believe in customizing your treatment plan specifically for your individuality, optimizing your health, and extending years to your life.
Remember: genes are not your destiny, but they can help you 'see tendencies' that may lead to a predisposition to various health conditions. Early detection leads to intervention and prevention.
FACT
65 genes are turned on with gluten and cause inflammation
72 genes are turned off with a Paleo Diet
Source: Wahl's Protocol
Over 1,100 hundred genes in the GUT are triggered by inflammation!
I will spend a total of 8 hours with each initial consultation (preparation for 4 hours, consulting/educating for 2 hours and 2 hours preparing your bio-individualized plan.) I will email your initial ‘bio-individualized treatment plan’ and suggestions including dietary modifications, links to educational articles/websites, nutrients and/or supplements, and additional testing, only if applicable. Then, we will schedule follow-up consults depending on your specific needs, every 6 to 8 weeks. Please call or email and set up an appointment for a free 15 minute consult.
Epigenetic Modulation
Note the above (Seeking HealthTM) illustration shows how many epigenetic influences are affecting our body as we go through life. It's not just genetics. It's many other factors assaulting our DNA on a daily basis. We need to take all these into consideration during our consult. We have about 23-25,000 genes and over 1,000,000 SNPs or enzymes. Genetics are inherited in a familial pattern. This means every single person in today’s society needs to be thinking about charting their 'personal roadmap to health.' While you cannot change your DNA, you CAN change your epigenetics. If you make changes and bypass gene mutations so that your epigenetics function properly, this change can be passed on to future generations! I don’t know why every mother wouldn’t want to test herself and/or her babies immediately. This is a gift that no other generation has had before now. So, please call or email and set up an appointment for a free 15 minute consult.