More than half of Australians and Americans are suffering from chronic health conditions, with the trend worsening. Functional medicine is the answer; modern healthcare reimagined. In this definitive guide to functional medicine, we’ll cover what functional medicine is, how it works, and why it’s the solution to the chronic disease crisis.
Functional medicine is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to healthcare that is personalised to each individual. It combines the holistic approach to health seen in traditional and alternative healthcare approaches with a modern understanding of biology, disease processes, testing, and medications to deliver effective health outcomes.
The functional medicine approach involves deep and broad investigation that considers a person’s whole health picture: diet and lifestyle factors, supported by comprehensive testing. It provides a unique roadmap for recovery for each person, with an emphasis on building long-term resilience.
It is now well understood that chronic diseases are caused by largely modifiable elements such as diet, lifestyle and environmental factors that switch on genes and promote disease. Functional medicine focuses not only on disease resolution, but prevention by reducing known risk factors that promote disease.
Functional medicine also recognises that health and disease are on a spectrum, and many conditions can be prevented, reversed, or put into remission. A functional medicine practitioner is trained to look for signs of dysfunction, a state that occurs before a condition fully manifests, and can recommend treatments to improve health and prevent disease, rather than relying on medications that mask symptoms.
This approach to chronic disease management can not only halt or reverse disease - it can also improve long-term health. Functional medicine is well placed to play a crucial role in influencing the trend of rapidly declining health and the growing burden on the healthcare system, which is predicted to worsen as the population ages.
Patient Izabella found herself visiting the doctor frequently after receiving her Hashimoto's diagnosis. She saw an endocrinologist to manage her thyroid hormone prescriptions, and a gastroenterologist for IBS-type symptoms such as diarrhoea and bloating. Izabella felt frustrated by the long wait times for specialist appointments, which often felt rushed. The prescription-based approach seemed to offer little in the way of dietary or lifestyle advice to manage her various complaints. Feeling alone and disempowered, Izabella felt caught up in a system where she didn't feel heard or valued as a person.
Izabella is not alone. Studies have revealed that many patients feel they are receiving suboptimal care, in a fragmented system that is poorly coordinated, leaving gaps in their care that lead to poor health outcomes.
Patients are looking for better evidence-based support for chronic conditions, being engaged more in their care that has a focus on prevention and health, with improved coordination and follow-ups to ensure continuity of their care. This is precisely what functional medicine sets out to achieve.
Functional medicine can help people with chronic health conditions, including autoimmunity, neurological conditions, hormonal disorders, cardiovascular conditions, digestive issues, and skin disorders. It can also be used in acute settings such as viral infections like COVID-19.
Some health concerns elude diagnosis, yet with an in-depth understanding of human biology and pathophysiology, can be helped by following signs, symptoms and using clinical tools like functional testing to pinpoint and address potential root causes of dysfunction.
The many chronic diseases or health challenges that functional medicine can help with include:
People with seemingly unrelated symptoms that don’t fit neatly into a specific category or condition can also benefit from the functional medicine approach. A perfect example is Izabella, who had bloating and diarrhoea, as well as thyroid and autoimmune issues, which we often see in our clinic.
Many people in this situation are confused by which practitioner or specialist they need to see. With the functional medicine approach, practitioners can help by taking a 360° view of their health to determine what’s going on their body, and why. In many cases, while symptoms can seem disparate and unconnected, often the same causes or contributing factors are at play, and through a thorough understanding of the interconnectedness of systems in the human body, symptoms that seem disconnected suddenly make sense.
Other people who benefit from functional medicine are those in good health who want to prevent disease, extend their lives, or optimise their health now, such as elite athletes, biohackers, high-performance seekers, and optimal health enthusiasts.
So you might be wondering - how is functional medicine actually practiced? Functional medicine is a framework, and because functional medicine practitioners include doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors and even nurses, the way functional medicine is practiced will vary depending on what type of practitioner you see. However, all practitioners of functional medicine follow certain principles while working with patients to help them recover their health. Let’s take a closer look.
Functional medicine takes a detective-like approach to solving patient cases. It requires thinking about all the possible things that could be causing a person’s symptoms, then figuring out a way to explore and rule out each possibility. In our clinic, our practitioners create a timeline of a patient’s medical history, and map out their health picture including possible root causes and contributing factors. From there, they create a plan that they continually refine as they rule out causes until they hone in on what’s really going on with a patient.
This deep detective work takes time, incessant curiosity, and skill. To do this effectively, practitioners need to have a deep understanding of biology, biochemistry, and pathophysiology (disease conditions). This allows them to think creatively about potential solutions for each unique case.
Imagine caring for a tree: if the leaves went brown and spotty, you could paint them green to make them look better, or even cut them off. The symptoms will be gone, however, without having addressed the underlying problem, they will return. This is akin to using medications for rapid relief and symptom suppression. The symptoms might disappear for a while, however the underlying problem still exists, while the treatments themselves can often lead to further problems.
Consider the management of high cholesterol. Statins reduce cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme used in its production. The same enzyme is also required to produce CoQ10, a critical antioxidant and cofactor involved in energy production - so synthesis of CoQ10 is reduced which can lead to side effects like fatigue and muscular pain, and an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus.
Meanwhile, most heart attack patients have normal levels of LDL cholesterol, and new insights show that high cholesterol is often a symptom of other imbalances in the body, such as metabolic syndrome, intestinal hyperpermeability, changes in thyroid function, stress, underlying viral infections or toxin exposure.
Functional medicine asks not just ‘what is the best drug or intervention for rapid relief of this disease?’, but also ‘why did it occur, and what needs to be resolved in order for a return to health?’.
The health of a tree is dependent on the environment it lives in (soil, access to sun, water etc.). In the same way, human health is determined by ‘the exposome’: factors like nutrition, stress, pollution, exercise, relationships, and sleep. For a tree, the problem might be a lack of sun, or excess water. For a person with a chronic disease or other chronic health issue, it might be poor nutrition, stress or heavy metal toxicity. By addressing these factors, health can be restored, and longevity maximised.
Functional medicine practitioners look for the root causes of illness. They do this by looking for:
This is why a thorough case taking is the first step in the investigative process. No stone should be left unturned, as even a minor clue can be the key to putting a person’s health puzzle together.
Functional medicine is a ‘systems biology’ approach to medicine that looks at the body as a whole rather than focusing solely on isolated body parts or systems. While specialist knowledge is a valuable part of detective work, disease states and chronic disease management can be complex, involving many different biological systems. By taking a holistic view of the body, functional medicine practitioners can provide more comprehensive and individualised care to patients.
One of the most well-known examples of the interconnectivity of body systems is the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune (PNEI) system. The nervous, endocrine and immune systems have been identified as a super system, which can be influenced by psychological factors, highlighting the detrimental impact that stress can have on the body. In autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, psychosocial stressors, for example, may impact the nervous system and lead to high levels of inflammatory immune cells called cytokines, pro-inflammatory hormones, and downregulation of anti-inflammatory hormones.
The body is interconnected, with systems working together directly or indirectly to keep the body in homeostasis - a dynamic adaptability in response to the internal and external environment.
In the case of an autoimmune condition, rather than simply seeing the immune system as the issue, a functional medicine practitioner will look to assess the health of other systems such as the nervous system or digestive system, depending on a patient’s health picture, to determine the cause.
System | Other system interactions |
---|---|
Digestive | Cardiovascular, muscular, nervous, endocrine, detoxification, urinary, immune |
Cardiovascular | Respiratory, digestive, lymphatic, immune, nervous, endocrine, detoxification |
Nervous | All systems |
Immune | Cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous, skeletal, skin, digestive |
Endocrine (hormones) | Nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, skeletal, immune |
Detoxification | Skin, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, urinary, lymphatic |
Urinary | Digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, detoxification |
Reproductive | Endocrine, nervous, digestive, immune |
Respiratory | Cardiovascular, detoxification, nervous, muscular |
Skeletal | Muscular, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory |
Muscular | Nervous, skeletal, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular |
Lymphatic | Immune, cardiovascular, skeletal/muscular |
Skin | Digestive, detoxification, nervous,endocrine, immune, lymphatic |
Because of the complexity of the body, the functional medicine approach recognises that there is rarely a sole cause of a chronic disease state. As seen in the example below, there are many factors contributing to diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) such as inflammation, hormones, genetics, epigenetics, diet, exercise and mood disorders.
On the flip side, many conditions can be caused by one imbalance. For example, chronic inflammation is a cause or driver of many - if not all - chronic health conditions, notably including heart disease, depression, arthritis, cancer and obesity.
This is why personalised care is a key approach of functional medicine.
Taking all of this into consideration is the reason why functional medicine is a deeply personalised approach. Rather than applying one protocol to many patients with the same health problem, functional medicine practitioners take the time to learn about each individual's diet, lifestyle and health history (including family history) in order to develop a truly tailor-made treatment plan that matches their biochemical individuality. It’s about solving a person’s health puzzle rather than solving a condition.
By combining their clinical expertise with the latest evidence in the scientific literature and their patient's health narrative, functional medicine practitioners are able to create a strategy that is unique to each person. This approach always considers 'what will be right for this patient?' and, as such, patients not only discover how to get their health back, but also how to live in alignment with what their body needs to be healthy.
This means that two people with the same diagnosis will likely get a completely different treatment plan that targets the root causes and drivers of their condition.
For example, two people with the same autoimmune condition can have entirely different contributing factors and root causes, requiring distinctly different treatments.
Alongside her primary health concern of an autoimmune diagnosis, Izabella, our patient example from earlier on, was experiencing IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms like diarrhoea and bloating after eating meals, and ongoing stress due to family issues.
The detective work
As autoimmunity can be triggered or driven by stress, an imbalance in the gut microbiome and food sensitivities, this led the practitioner to run a comprehensive stool analysis to understand Izabella’s digestive environment, as well as food sensitivity testing to help identify what foods might be causing her bloating after meals. The stool analysis identified an imbalance in the gut microbiome (AKA gut dysbiosis), and the food sensitivity test revealed that the immune system was reacting to gluten, which was a staple of her diet. Gluten is a known trigger of autoimmunity, as it can weaken the intestinal wall, leading to proteins leaking into the bloodstream and causing an immune reaction along with inflammation. A current theory of how autoimmunity can arise is 'molecular mimicry', where the immune system creates an antibody to a foreign protein such as gluten that is similar to a protein in the body, such as the thyroid gland, causing the immune system to attack human tissue. Stress can also impact the gut microbiome and intestinal permeability, further driving autoimmunity, and can also be implicated in IBS.
Izabella’s personalised plan
The personalised plan Izabella’s practitioner put together included a gut healing protocol that sought to restore the gut microbiome and improve the intestinal wall integrity, a gluten-free diet, and a plan to help her manage her stress.
When discussing Christine’s health history, it was revealed she had glandular fever (Epstein Barr Virus - EBV) around the time her health started to decline. She was also feeling constantly tired, with pronounced drops in energy throughout the day, particularly after meals where she also felt irritable and anxious, was overweight, and had ongoing mood and sleep issues.
The detective work
Viruses such as EBV are a known trigger for autoimmunity, with EBV recently being identified as a leading cause of multiple sclerosis. After a thorough assessment of her diet and lifestyle, it was noted that she was consuming a high intake of processed sugar and foods, mostly living on takeaway and store-bought foods, which is a key trigger and driver of autoimmune conditions. Her diet and fluctuating energy levels alongside her irritability and anxiety pointed towards suboptimal blood glucose control, which her practitioner confirmed by having Christine monitor her blood glucose levels with a glucometer before and after meals. Her ongoing energy, mood and sleep health challenges, alongside autoimmunity, led the practitioner to consider methylation as a factor. Hypomethylation of DNA has been implicated in gene expression associated with autoimmunity, so was identified as a possible antecedent for autoimmunity to occur. As methylation is a process essential to healthy detoxification, energy production, and neurotransmitter synthesis, Christine’s practitioner ran a methylation profile to confirm their hypothesis, which demonstrated that Christine’s methylation was suboptimal.
Christine’s personalised plan
Christine’s treatment plan involved antiviral treatment using antiviral and immune-modulating compounds in the medicinal mushroom Reishi, a diet to improve blood glucose control, and micronutrient supplementation to support methylation.
Testing is often required to undertake the detective work, using standard blood pathology tests alongside functional tests such as:
All the best testing, diagnoses and treatment strategies mean nothing without implementation. This is why functional medicine prioritises empowering patients and partnering with them on their journey to good health. People are complex creatures – not just in body, but in mind - so an effective care plan requires a deep understanding of people and behaviour change.
Fostering a collaborative relationship helps patients feel heard and supported, while also giving them a sense of control and agency over their own care plan.
Some functional medicine practitioners, like in our clinic, are going one step further and incorporating health coaches into their healthcare teams. Our health coaches provide ongoing support and guidance between practitioner sessions, helping patients set goals, learn self-management skills, and promote behaviour change that leads to lasting improvements in health. This allows us to focus more time and attention on each individual case, leading to better health outcomes.
Through this empowering relationship between practitioner, health coach, and patient, we encourage our patients to take ownership of their health and participate in their healing. Part of this approach includes increasing a patient’s ‘health literacy’ - understanding the factors that contribute to their health and being in tune with their bodies. This level of connection and understanding is essential for true healing to take place, and gives people tools to manage their health for a long, healthy life.
With chronic diseases predicted to rise across the globe, and with hospital systems already overwhelmed by mostly preventable conditions, functional medicine is perfectly placed to solve the healthcare crisis, given its role not only in disease resolution, but prevention through education and empowerment.
Highly individualised care involves a substantial amount of time and effort from both clinicians and patients, and until functional medicine receives the recognition and subsidy it deserves, the testing and treatment can be expensive.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And the benefits of investing in an approach that can prevent or reverse a condition and improve quality of life, seem certainly worthwhile. Yet, the adoption of the functional medicine approach requires a complete paradigm shift by the medical industry, to recognise that getting to the root cause of a chronic disease is more economical than managing that disease over the long-term.
Watch Mark Hyman’s TEDMED talk on why functional medicine is the future of medicine
Functional medicine is here, and perfectly placed to care for patients' health based on the latest clinical research and insights. So if you’re after a personalised, collaborative, and supportive approach to solving your health problems, functional medicine is your best bet right now. Not only will it cost you less money in the long run, you’ll also live a higher quality, longer life. And you can’t put a price on that.
These case studies are from real patients (names changed to protect identity) to show you the functional medicine approach in action.
Jenny came to see us when she was 26. She'd had acne since she was 16.
Jenny had taken two courses of Roaccutane and was on her 9th month of antibiotics. All of her blood work and her pelvic ultrasound was normal. Yet she had an erratic cycle length (30 - 45 days) and chronic acne.
We did some functional hormone testing and discovered that the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone was out of balance, with oestrogen being too high, leading to an oestrogen dominant situation - a key cause of acne.
We used herbal medicines to raise her progesterone levels, whilst encouraging her body to efficiently detoxify oestrogen to restore hormonal balance.
Her skin just kept getting better and better. Now she uses only foods to maintain that oestrogen clearance. Jenny has now been acne free now for 4 years!
Maria was 24 when she came to see us, and had been experiencing acne for half of her life! Since age 12, Maria’s acne fluctuated between being mild to severe. Her acne never went away, even after trying the oral contraceptive pill for a few years in her early twenties.
Maria was worried about taking antibiotics or Roaccutane, as she was scared of the side effects. She had used topical vitamin A, peroxide creams and facial extractions with limited success.
After a thorough case history, we discovered that Maria had severe allergies to nuts and fish, and would come out in hives and have digestive upset when eating dairy, eggs, citrus and wheat as a child. Maria also alternated between constipation and diarrhoea, had thinning hair, long irregular periods, and wheat was a staple in her vegan diet. She would also binge drink with friends every fortnight.
Functional hormone testing revealed that her testosterone levels were almost twice the upper limit. Combined with her symptoms of thinning hair, acne, and long irregular periods, Maria met the criteria for PCOS - polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common condition in those with acne. Her uncle also had severe acne, pointing to a genetic link to metabolising testosterone poorly, leading to the increased levels as shown on Maria’s lab test.
Other factors contributing to Maria’s acne were food sensitivities, particularly wheat, and that she was missing key nutrients in her diet that are important for skin health (many of these were mentioned in the webinar). Her detoxification pathways also needed support (especially from the binge drinking), as did her gut health.
Maria’s treatment plan included taking herbal medicines to reduce testosterone levels, which included having spearmint tea. She was also advised to avoid wheat given it was a known sensitivity for her, and was supported with food suggestions and nutritional supplements to help regulate her menstrual cycle, improve her detoxification ability, her digestive health, and her skin.
After 3 months, Maria barely had any new acne, and her period started to become less erratic. At the end of 6 months, her cycles were much more regular, and her skin was clear of acne.
Check out Maria's before and after pics below. The bit of redness left is post inflammatory pigmentation from having acne for so many years. The redness disappeared within 2-3 months as Maria maintained her skin healing protocol.
After struggling with acne for 12 years, you can imagine how happy Maria is to finally look in the mirror and be happy with seeing clear skin!
When Samantha came into our clinic 2 years ago, she immediately burst into tears. Health Coach Bee sat and comforted her and could see that there was a lot of pain in Sam’s world. She was deeply emotional, crying many times a day, feeling out of control of her emotions, exhausted, out of rhythm, “just coping”. Like many of us, Sam attempted to ‘pull herself together’, but Bee recommended that in her session with Practitioner Jabe, she let it out all – be as honest as she felt safe to be. And to her credit she did.
Sam’s main presenting concern was fatigue. During the initial consult with Jabe, it became clear that her thyroid and sex hormones were out of whack along with some digestive issues. A conscientious mum of two, Sam had always worked hard and put her kids first. She is an incredibly devoted mum and wife (and friend) and consistently put others ahead of herself.
The primary focus for Sam, in order for her body to want to come back to a healthy state, was to spend more time in the Parasympathetic (rest, digest, reproduce and repair). Previously, as someone who took her phone to bed, we encouraged Sam to establish a healthy bedtime routine whereby she took off her makeup, cleaned up the kitchen (this gave her peace) and make the last hour or so before bed completely relaxing. It’s called sleep hygiene. Also, please leave your phone in the kitchen and don’t take it to the bedroom!
Ever conscientious, Sam started to implement the lifestyle strategies her team recommended.
She responded well to the introduction of the Auto Immune Protocol and the feedback was positive in a short amount of time. She told us she was still tired, but not fatigued, had no more brain fog, no more muscle aches and almost no pain with her period. Whilst it may seem like quite a simple fix, there was still some work to be done.
Sam came off the Oral Contraceptive Pill, took some supportive supplements and continued to work on her approach to life – specifically the ability to let go and put herself first (as Jabe said "Well done in prioritising yourself. Keep at it! You are worth it .")
And Sam was making progress, but not without frustration – there was a time, about 9 months in, when Sam had antibody testing and it showed an increase. She had periods of increased stress which meant it was more difficult for her to stick with her new behaviours and confessed to snacking on a well-known ‘glass and a half’ chocolate brand. She had a flare up after a family member had an accident, which resulted in serious acute stress on Sam. Gently coming back on track, she soon found her rhythm again, reframed her stress and sent through a heart-filled message showing outstanding antibody and thyroid results. The body wants to heal – we need to give it the right environment.
During the healing process, Sam started to uncover the real her – the woman she hadn’t previously had access to when so busy helping other people. She told Bee “I’m still emotional, but that’s who I am. I cry for things now but it’s not the same. I even tell the kids about some of my experiences”. She found her niche, her menstrual cycle regulated, her energy stabilised and she told Health Coach Bee “The greatest gift I was ever given was 4-7-8” (a breathing technique we encourage our patients to employ). She understood that stress was one of her greatest triggers, that this had a downstream effect on her wellbeing, and that she now has a robust spiritual practice that keeps her well. She told Bee “My biggest thing is that I have the tools. It is my responsibility to instill them.”
We worked closely with Sam and her GP to make sure we were tracking her sex and thyroid hormones and making any necessary adjustments. Sam’s willingness to reassess who she is, meant that her progress was ongoing and her health continued to trend in a positive direction. Her energy improved such that she no longer experiences fatigue and is intimately aware of her upper levels of exertion. Her monthly cycles have settled into a stable rhythm and she finds herself setting healthy boundaries in her life as well as having deeper emotional connections with her loved ones.
When Tony first came to us, his diet was pretty ‘clean’ (he followed a Paleo template) and he described his primary concerns as a lack of energy and a history of gut problems. He had lived in the tropics previously and had blastocystis, dientoemeba and had also been exposed to mould. He was so fatigued, in fact, that he had quit his job because he simply couldn’t function.
By the time he came in, Tony was ready to do anything. He was so sick of being sick. Jabe asked him to really focus on recharging the body as we continued to get clarity around his picture.
It was established in the four-hour initial consult that it would be important to address all key elements of life with Tony, including sleep, diet, stress management and support with supplements. Practitioner Jabe directed him to some apps to help introduce Tony to meditation, as well as some podcasts that would help Tony access some concepts of philosophy and take some of his attention away from such a strong health focus (because attention is good, but too much attention can become detrimental).
Simultaneously, Tony saw a jaw specialist who was treating him for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues, in order to lessen his headaches and improve sinus issues.
We wanted to encourage Tony to change the way he interacted with his world. He told us that he had always gone at lightning speed, had always been spontaneous and whenever, in his recovery journey, he saw times of improved energy, his inclination was to go go go!
Recommending that someone change how they think, react and move through their world is a very long game. It was clear that Tony was invested in the change process.
Two months into working with Tony, with regular meditation, plenty of rest and a refined supplement prescription, he had a period of rapid improvement. In fact, he told us it was the best month he had had in a long time. He decided that he didn’t have a need for close coaching and felt confident that he could ‘go it alone’. During this time, Tony was excited and so let some of the foundation behaviours slip. He stopped meditating and let his yoga practice go as well as significantly increasing his social commitments.
Shortly after, when chatting with Health Coach Bee, he recognised that the few things that had slipped had, in fact, made a real impact on his recovery progress. He had started taking on more events socially, and he told Bee “I’m disappointed with myself for going back to old behaviour”. This is the very nature of human behaviour. There can be a strong drive away from a pain; the motivation is clear – to not be in pain. As that pain begins to resolve, we revert back to who we are (or were). Conceptually, it’s why shake diets so often leave people gaining more weight – they are not taught how to behave in a new way (in this case, healthy cooking/eating). Bee and Tony chatted about the benefits of creating a meditation practice – one in which he became present more frequently (strengthening those neural pathways) and then in the future, when his energy is consistently better, he is more likely to make appropriate choices about how he spends his energy.
Several supplements had a significant impact on Tony’s energy and sense of wellbeing. On writing this case story, testing is still underway to understand what underlies the fatigue. We’re looking at both mould and heavy metals, but we’re happy to report we have an engaged patient who is open to settling into a new way of being. He is self aware and has already seen great improvements to his wellbeing.
Joanne came to Melbourne Functional Medicine with a goodie bag of health worries. She was chronically fatigued and struggled to push through her training commitments, she had bloating, anxiety and sleeping problems. Joanne felt wound up and under energised.
In working with Jabe they were able to identify a number of important lifestyle choices that were compounding her symptoms.
Jabe prescribed a specific nutrition protocol to address her underlying digestive issues and to support her energy levels. Bee came on to support Joanne in a health coaching role and developed a tailored meal plan for Joanne with recipes, a shopping list and had a number of phone conversations with Joanne to ensure she understood the protocol and felt confident.
Within two weeks Joanne reported (excitedly) that by eating more regularly and making congruent food choices her energy levels had skyrocketed.
Her training had improved and her friends and family were all commenting on her elevated energy and attitude. Her bloating had also resolved. When talking with Bee she seemed most excited by the absence of anxiety.
This alone can be a taxing and socially alienating experience so to overcome this so quickly was valuable.
Caroline was 8 months postpartum and experiencing a relapse of Graves disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition.
Caroline was working concurrently with her GP and endocrinologist, and experiencing ongoing symptoms including feeling very fatigued, heart palpitations, body tremors, hair loss, insomnia, heartburn, diarrhoea, an ongoing cough, swollen thyroid, sudden irritability, and mood swings.
As we often see with thyroid conditions, there was a strong familial pattern with Caroline’s female relatives, including her mum and aunt both experiencing thyroid conditions. Autoimmunity was also evident in her immediate and distant family members.
Caroline had all of the classic Graves disease symptoms. She also had food sensitivities and hayfever - showing a dysregulated immune system. Due to a strong hormonal shift postpartum, and along with her genetic profile, the autoimmune condition Graves was triggered.
Caroline was most concerned about her mood, and her ability to parent the way she wanted to. Alongside her physical symptoms, it was her lowered tolerance, ‘snappiness’ and impatience with her two small children that were her most pressing emotional symptom.
We used functional testing to learn more about her physiology, including digestive health and function, thyroid function, autoimmune markers, and organic acids.
After addressing her thyroid health for several months, we furthered gut investigations, and Caroline tested positive for SIBO.
Stress and dietary factors were significant triggers for Caroline's autoimmune condition. From the outset, it was clear that her primary obstacles stemmed from balancing her role as a mother to two young children, managing a job, and shouldering the bulk of household responsibilities. This overwhelming load left her feeling stretched thin and, most importantly, caused her to feel she wasn’t being the mother she aspired to be. She often found herself reacting impulsively, lashing out in ways that didn’t align with her values.
Coaching Caroline through the chaos of her life focused on two key elements:
Practical strategies: We worked on creating structured plans for her day and week, ensuring she could fulfil her commitments while also carving out time for personal self-care practices.
Emotional resilience: A significant part of Caroline’s coaching centred on reshaping her perception of stress, and managing her mindset. We delved into her psychometrics to uncover the beliefs driving her responses to stressors. By adopting the perspective of an observer rather than a judge or controller, Caroline learned to approach stressful situations with curiosity. This shift allowed her to soften her reactions, fostering a more balanced internal dialogue. For example, instead of reacting with anxiety to an elevated heart rate, she began to notice it with interest: “Oh, I see my heart is racing. How fascinating.”. This non-judgmental awareness made a substantial difference in her experience.
Caroline shared, “Having that reframe allowed me to keep going. Taking the judgement out of what I was doing helped me relax more. I think it really did help my heart rate slow.”
When things didn’t go as planned, Caroline initially felt rattled. Her coach supported her in exploring the roots of her perfectionism, guiding her to leverage it as a strength rather than a source of stress. This transformative coaching process helped Caroline cultivate new habits and mindset strategies, ultimately enhancing her well-being and ability to manage life’s challenges.
Towards the end of the program, Caroline did a follow up SIBO test which was still positive. She did a course of Rifaxamin which remarkably improved her remaining GI symptoms, and because it is important to have healthy transit time, especially if SIBO has been present, Caroline used high fibre fruits and vegetables to support digestive function.
Even though Caroline’s primary presentation was thyroid, digestion was an ongoing theme, and much of the focus throughout was on gut health.
By the conclusion of the program, Caroline experienced a significant transformation. She had regained her energy, developed a deeper understanding of her stressors, and acquired robust skills for managing her mindset. Her hair loss had ceased, her energy levels returned, and she was able to consistently attend the gym, feeling stronger than ever. Importantly, she became more patient and resilient, moving closer to the mother she aspired to be.
In February 2023, Caroline's pathology report indicated a TSH level of 0.03 (normal range: 0.5 - 4.0), a T4 level of 12.5 (normal range: 10.0 - 23.0), and a T3 level of 8.8 (normal range: 3.5 - 6.5), along with TRAb antibodies at 15.5 (normal range: < 0.55), signifying significant Graves' disease activity. By November 2023, her results showed considerable improvement: TSH increased to 1.29, T4 to 14.6, and TRAb antibodies decreased to 0.34.
It’s essential to note that these positive changes resulted from a combination of Graves' disease medication and the comprehensive program we implemented, as Caroline was solely dependent on medication at the beginning of the year.
James was 17 years old when he first came to us. He was covered from his neck to his ankles in eczema. There was bad scarring behind his knees from the constant itching scratching. James also had a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and was verbal, enjoyed learning at school, but not a fan of eye contact.
A thorough assessment revealed that he was also constipated despite drinking a lot of water and had congested sinuses most of the time. Historically, he wasn’t breast fed, and the eczema developed in his infancy. He also had a period in his childhood of multiple urinary tract infections (due to a congenital malformation) and required treatment with many courses of antibiotics. His bowel motions were never quite the same.
A holistic assessment of James indicated that there were multiple factors in the past and present contributing to his eczema:
• Early exposure to bovine based formula and the onset of eczema point to intolerances. The inflammation created by food intolerances can express systemically, and likely in this case both in bowel and skin.
• Recurrent courses of antibiotics disturbing microbiome ecology, and potentially leading to constipation, compromising a key pathway of detoxification and impacting the behaviour of the immune system (eczema, chronic upper respiratory congestion).
• When key paths of detoxification are impaired, this can over burden other systems such as the skin and lymph.
We assessed food intolerances by blood test and discovered that dairy, almonds and eggs were the main offenders. After eliminating the problem foods from James’ diet, we observed a significant reduction in eczema. He then binged on ice-cream and it returned, which was a great reminder for him.
After the small slip-up, James got back on the elimination diet and after 16 weeks his eczema completely cleared up. You can see the remarkable improvements in the before and after images below and as you can imagine, James couldn’t be happier with the results we achieved together.
Amy was 11yo when her mother brought her to see us. She had lots of tiny little bumps across her forehead and was getting self conscious about them at school. The other kids were starting to notice and say things about it. Her mum also commented that she’d started to develop noticeable body odour, which is unusual in a girl of her age.
Questioning revealed she was constipated (moving her bowels every second day), had tummy pains and snored very loudly. An ear, nose, throat specialist had flagged the need for surgery to remove her enlarges adenoids. Her sister and father have food reactions.
The global nature of her symptoms and family suggested that they could be attributed to food sensitivities. Testing revealed strong reactions to egg, dairy and gluten.
After removing the foods for 3 months, whilst repairing the gut, her body odour completely went away, the snoring stopped, she resumed normal daily bowel motions and the rash on her forehead remitted. Most significantly when the ear nose and throat specialist examined her, the size of her adenoids had resumed to normal (which explained the snoring disappearing). The specialist remarked that he’d never seen such large adenoids shrink back to normal size so rapidly.
Food sensitivities can affect many parts of the body by launching an immune response and especially can cause gut inflammation and damage. IgG food sensitivity testing does not show allergies. It detected reactions that are delayed and cumulative. At the same time as eliminating the foods for 3 months, additional work is done to reduce gut inflammation and restore integrity and to reduce the inflammatory response by the immune system.
A married 55yo woman came to see us. She runs a company, is married and her children are out of home. She was stressed about her weight gain of 10kg in 2 years.
She was eating about half the kilojoules required for a woman her age, was going to the gym three times a week, as well as walking and gardening on weekends. Her sleep had become fitful, and whilst she was able to ‘push through’ her fatigue, she knew she couldn’t do this for long. Her flushes and sweats were manageable for her. Her daughter, who we had treated for food intolerances, referred her.
The treatment focused on ironing out the oestrogen fluctuations through modulation with herbs and dietary changes (phytoestrogenic rich foods), and investigating her thyroid function. We discovered that she had developed an autoimmune thyroid condition, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, since her menstrual cycle changed. This is unfortunately not so uncommon for women to experience as a result of a significant transition in hormonal development (it often happens after childbirth too).
Her thyroid function was probably also being affected by the excess oestrogen (menopause) and cortisol (high stress job). And there was now the autoimmune aspect to manage.
Autoimmunity generates inflammation when the body is attacking itself by mistake.
We used herbal medicine to lower her antibodies, modulate oestrogen and support the adrenals by lowering cortisol. We also focused on stress management techniques, and she reduced her work hours for a period of time to allow her body to recover.
After 3 months she had lost 5kg, was eating more and doing the same amount of exercise.
She felt energised and clear headed and lost the remaining weight over the following months.
Tanya came to us with some gut and joint pain issues with a focus on optimising her health. What we discovered quite quickly, was that learning lifestyle skills has turned out to be valuable for Tanya. She sought advice about healthy snacks, how to eat well (the actual act of eating), and how to move well.
We learnt that Tanya had bowel variability – she tended towards constipation, couldn’t go to the bathroom when staying away from home, was tired, had painful periods and her bowels became loose around period time. She is a hard-working business owner and being well is important for her. In a session with Bee, she identified that health, inner peace and mindfulness were amongst her highest values.
The process with Tanya has been a series of mini experiments and she has learnt an awful lot about her body. She now has a clear understanding of what food her body likes and doesn’t – those experiments have been absolute. She knows when she needs to slow down. With ongoing variability in the bathroom, Jabe asked Tanya to carve out time to just sit – don’t rush this. Making this particular adjustment has seen Tanya’s entire bowel-moving experience change. She now goes, easily, every day. She recently reported that she’d gone away and had success going to the bathroom there!
“I did two poos yesterday – I was so excited.”
We celebrate all the wins 🙂
Michaela came to us because she was suffering from psoriasis and it was having a significant impact on the way she was living her life. Being in her early 30’s, socialising was a big (and important) part of Michaela’s life. Going to music festivals was her outlet and most of her social interactions included drinking alcohol.
Michaela had been living with psoriasis since she was a teenager and was already able to identify that there were some things that directly impacted her psoriasis, like stress, sun, salt and alcohol. This was great awareness and important information.
Taking the time to really explore a patient’s history is critical for us. Because we believe that everybody can –with the right conditions– heal, we need to really figure out what has been going on, and why. This is where Michaela was so great; she knew she was sensitive to chemicals because whenever she walked down the cleaning aisle, she sneezed. Her skin was sensitive to personal care products, and she got shocking hangovers. Together, this told us that her ability to detoxify was a point of concern, so straight away we had some good information about where to pay attention (the liver and other elimination channels).
Being suspicious of gluten for her, we also put her on a gluten-free diet. After a month we hadn’t seen a significant change. With inflammation being a primary target, functional medicine practitioner Jabe recommended Michaela start an Auto Immune Protocol (AIP). This is one of the more intensive food protocols but is incredibly powerful when wanting to find out the role food is playing when it comes to immune interactions and inflammation. Giving up booze was tricky, as it really was the cornerstone of social life, but with Health Coach Bee, they came up with some strategies around how to navigate those social times as well as staying crystal clear about why she was doing it (big-picture goals).
Once Michaela had spent some time doing AIP, it was clear that food was indeed causing an inflammatory response (expressing through her skin). After a couple of months there was a noticeable improvement in her skin, but it had not completely resolved. We dug a little deeper with a Food Inflammation Test and it turns out pumpkin and spinach were causing problems for her. This was powerful information as we weren’t likely to guess that these were foods to be avoided!
Michaela’s skin improved further, and we learned that in addition to pumpkin and spinach, she had problems with legumes, and grains in general, but otherwise didn’t need to be as strict as AIP.
Although we were supporting her liver, and now had absolute values on which foods were showing up as inflammatory, the most significant piece to Michaela’s puzzle was stress. Working in a high stress industry, we needed to help her develop skills and habits that would support her body. Michaela leaned-in to daily journaling and gratitude, as well as building a robust meditative practice. She started walking to work so that she had some ‘empty brain’ time and worked with her Health Coach, Bee, to come up with some affirmations, which helped her navigate moments of anxiety.
During a particularly busy and stressful period over Christmas (after working with her health team for 11 months), where work was requiring longer hours, parents were visiting from overseas and she was given a leadership role at work, she told us that she noticed she wasn’t as stressed as she would previously have been. Hooray! She had taken the time to build those habits to the degree that they simply became part of her everyday routine – like brushing her teeth. As those neural pathways strengthen, so too does the physiological response, which is why, when stress pressed down on her, she displayed more resilience.
At last report, Michaela’s skin is great. She has maintained her meditative practice, eats well (the way her body likes it), and she has clarity around her thresholds for stress – and what to do about it.
Ava was 8 when her mum first contacted us. The family lives in country NSW and asked whether we could help with eczema that Ava had since age 3. Her eczema was worsening, and she was starting to get staph infections.
They had previously tried a number of approaches, including the GAPS diet for 12 months, with varied success. Ava was also feeling very low in energy, which is unusual for a primary school aged child, indicating a significant loss of vitality. She also had to avoid swimming lessons as the chlorine would sting her skin.
After speaking with her mother at length about Ava’s eczema during the initial consultation, it became obvious that it appeared after taking antibiotics as a toddler for some ear/nose/throat infections, that temporarily went into remission before happening again at age 6, following further antibiotic treatment.
The family had also relocated on several occasions across different climatic zones, which may have irritated the skin barrier and introduced different bacteria/fungi to the skin microbiome.
Additional contributing factors were stress from moving on Ava, fitting in at different schools, on top dealing with her eczema. When the body is stressed it has limited ability to heal itself.
The GAPS diet, whilst effective for some, was not helpful despite a thorough application of the principles for 12mths. A low salicylate approach appeared to be somewhat helpful, however did not produce a complete resolution. Her practitioner recommended food sensitivity testing, which showed that Ava had a number of immune mediated food sensitivities, such as eggs, which she had been eating daily on the GAPS diet.
We also tested her digestion with comprehensive stool microbiome mapping and discovered a significant imbalance in gut flora (dysbiosis), as well as the presence of the parasites giardia and dientamoeba fragilis, and low gut related immunity (secretory IgA). Ava had no digestive symptoms or parasites, however sometimes they can exist in low enough numbers to be asymptomatic, yet still enough to be a source of irritation and inflammation contributing to the overall burden of inflammation. Additionally, an imbalance in gut flora affects how the entire immune system behaves, tending toward a more inflammatory response that is associated with eczema.
In summary, the assessment of Ava’s situation was eczema aggravated by intestinal inflammation and hyperpermeability secondary to food sensitivities, aggravated by dysbiosis and the presence of pathogens.
The first step was to provide Ava with the nutrients required to heal the existing damaged skin and the digestive tract. To reduce inflammation, we removed the foods that were identified in testing. This provided some relief, although not completely, so we experimented with limiting dietary salicylates as these natural compounds can be inflammatory for some people. In the background, progressive work was done to restore gut microbiome balance, and crowd out pathogenic species. Topical agents were also used to keep the skin moisturised and the barrier protected.
Ava’s mum was supported by her health coach with dietary requirements and substitutes. Food elimination can be tricky in family environments, and coaching can help minimise the impact on the rest of the family. This was achieved with the assistance of tools such as a Food Symptom Tracker. Through using this tracker, Ava was able to find consistencies with foods that were causing a symptom flare, as well as supporting her through the food challenge phase. This tool assisted both Ava and her mum to improve self-awareness about food and symptoms, and to have confidence when adding new foods back into Ava’s diet.
With the knowledge gained from both the food testing and symptom tracker, a personalised food plan was able to be developed and shared with Ava’s mum. This included recipes developed to include foods we knew were well tolerated by Ava. This also helped provide extra support for Ava’s mum to assist with family meal planning and meal preparation.
Ava was also of the age where she attended things like school camps, and through health coaching conversations, Ava’s mum was able to successfully implement strategies with both Ava and the school, such as improving communication with the school and helping build Ava’s confidence in personal food choices. These conversations helped Ava’s mum navigate these times where she had less control over food exposure without feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
With removal of the aggravating foods, Ava’s degree of itching improved significantly within 6 weeks. Less itching means less scratching which allows the skin time to improve. After this period, her skin just kept getting better.
After 3 months of treatment, Ava was able to resume swimming lessons, and after 4 months, she entered herself into 3 events at the school swimming carnival.
Since then, Ava has been able to introduce the foods that were originally a problem for her on a rotational basis, which means she can eat them without getting a reaction, just not every day.
Through health coaching, Ava’s mum was able to build confidence around how to provide Ava with skills to make informed food choices and improve self-awareness about how these food choices would impact her skin. Ava’s mum was also able to feel supported throughout the treatment program, and as a result, felt a reduced burden in having to be the main person responsible for navigating Ava’s health.
Alex was 40 years old when he came to see us after being recently diagnosed as having hypertension with a blood pressure of 155/105 at rest. Alex was overweight which was normal for him since childhood, although he admits that over the last couple of years he has been carrying more weight than usual.
His GP had ordered a 24hr blood pressure monitor as well as an echocardiogram as Alex mentioned he frequently has heart palpitations, particularly when physically active at work. The echocardiogram showed a mild enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart with mild mitral valve regurgitation.
During the initial consultation Alex was found to have a significant family history of cardiovascular disease on both his mother’s and father’s side, including hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and myocardial infarction.
In the clinic, his blood pressure was found to be 160/103mmHg.
Recent blood results were reviewed during the consultation which showed that total cholesterol was elevated at 9.1mmol/L (HDL: 1.2mmol/L LDL: 7.2mmol/L TRIG: 1.5mmol/L).
At 185cm tall and a weight of 103kg, Alex’s BMI measured at 30, which is in the range for obesity. A waist/hip ratio of 1.1 is suggestive of central obesity which is associated with cardiovascular disease.
Dietary analysis showed a typical western diet which was high in refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and low in fresh fruits, vegetables and fibre. Water intake was suboptimal at approximately 500-750ml per day, with most fluids coming from coffee, soft drinks and alcohol. Alcohol intake averaged 2-4 standard drinks per day, usually beer, or occasionally bourbon and coke.
Alex was reasonably physically active with his work as a sales and client manager for retail pharmacy. Dedicated exercise included weekend walks or bike rides with the family.
Functional testing using a comprehensive cardiovascular profile including lipoprotein subfractions was undertaken. The results demonstrated elevated lipoprotein levels consistent with the elevated cholesterol results previously reviewed. Further analysis of the lipoprotein subfractions determined elevated lipoprotein (a) often seen in people with a genetic or familial predisposition to hypercholesterolaemia, or in people with a low vegetable, low fibre diet. Lipoprotein subfractions profile indicates a mean particle size in the low end of the normal ranges, although still indicative of a lower risk for coronary artery disease, the trend to the lower end of the ranges indicated the need to be responsive to these findings.
Fasting blood glucose was normal indicating there was no risk of blood sugar dysregulation, insulin resistance or development of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.
Other markers such as homocysteine and c-reactive protein were within normal ranges indicating a low risk for cardiometabolic disease, considered a much more serious chronic disease.
Over all these results indicated potential for early intervention preventative strategies to correct modifiable lifestyle factors, reduce body weight and central adiposity, and reduce blood pressure, thereby reducing risk for heart attack, stroke, or more serious chronic cardiometabolic disease progression.
Modifiable lifestyle factors have been consistently shown to have a significant effect on improving a person's cardiovascular risk profile. The 4 pillars of eat, sleep, move and de-stress were used to implement a number of strategies to improve Alex’s cardiovascular health.
A modified version of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was introduced. This included a diet that was abundant in fruits, vegetables and wholefoods, with a moderate amount of good quality lean meats and proteins. The diet was modified to remove dairy products as Alex had reported having some symptoms when consuming dairy, particularly milk. In addition, his health coach worked with Alex to increase his daily water intake and reduce daily alcohol intake.
As Alex was known to snore in his sleep, he was referred for a sleep study to check for obstructive sleep apnoea, a known risk factor for hypertension and development of cardiovascular disease. The results of the sleep study did not identify obstructive sleep apnoea, so with the guidance of his health coach, effective sleep hygiene strategies were used to improve the quality of Alex’s sleep.
Alex was encouraged to increase his dedicated exercise time to the recommended minimum threshold of 5hrs moderate to high intensity exercise per week. For Alex this included brisk walking for 30mins on most days of the week, and including muscle strengthening or resistance training on at least 2 days per week for a total of 1 hour. The health coach worked with Alex to help this become a regular part of his daily life.
As Alex had identified stress related to his work as having an impact on his energy levels and mental wellbeing, he worked closely with his coach to implement simple breathing exercises that he could perform throughout the day to offset the effects of stress. He also used a phone app to help him with guided mindfulness exercises.
A nutritional compound of Arginine and citrulline was prescribed to help improve endogenous nitric oxide production and improve blood vessel compliance. Fish oils which contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and have been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and assisting to correct the blood lipid profile, were prescribed. A high tocotrienol containing form of vitamin E was prescribed as it has been shown to be effective in lowering total cholesterol and LDL-c.
By working closely with his health coach, Alex was able to progressively introduce the various lifestyle strategies that were recommended. By the end of the 1st month his blood pressure was measured in the clinic at 140/85mmhg, placing it in the high normal range. Additionally Alex had lost 2 kgs in weight reducing his BMI to 29.5, representing a shift from the obese to the overweight range.
By the 3rd month Alex was completely comfortable with and enjoying his new diet and found that his family were now all eating much better then they had previously. The family were now a lot more active and exercising regularly together.
Alex continued to lose weight, reducing a further 9 kilos over 6 months to achieve a BMI of 26.9, slightly above his healthy weight for his height, but still representing a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk. Additionally his waist hip ratio had improved to 0.96 indicating that he was successful in reducing his central abdominal adiposity, considered a significant risk factor for cardiometabolic disease.
Alex’s blood pressure reduced further and stabilised around 135/80mmhg considered normal for a male his age. Over a period of 1 month he was weaned off the arginine compound with no rebound rise in blood pressure.
Follow up testing to check his cholesterol levels showed that total cholesterol had reduced 7.14 due an increase in HDL-c, reduction in LDL-c and triglycerides. This represents a significant improvement in lipid profile over 6 months, and with the changes Alex has made, it is expected to continue improving over time.
This case study follows Lola’s journey through the healthcare program. Her aim was to regain control of her persistent skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, and gut health issues that had been impacting her daily life.
When Lola joined the program, her primary health concerns included psoriasis on her scalp, perioral dermatitis (eczema) around her mouth, hormonal imbalances leading to heavy PMS symptoms, breast tenderness, and irregular cycles, as well as IBS characterised by bloating and constipation. These chronic conditions significantly impacted her quality of life.
Lola often felt physically and emotionally drained, as her previous efforts to manage these symptoms on her own had only provided partial relief. Recognising the need for accountability and structured support to implement lasting changes became evident from the very beginning of her journey.
To identify the root causes of Lola's health issues, several tests were conducted:
Lola’s assessments uncovered several IgE-mediated food reactions, which she realised were contributing to her digestive issues and skin itching. Thankfully, testing confirmed that she is not susceptible to coeliac disease, providing some reassurance about her dietary options.
Her Nutristat results were relatively unremarkable, but the DNA test offered valuable insights for the future, including potential strategies to protect her brain health over time.
At-home digestive testing revealed an inability to digest a range of carbohydrates, indicating a dysbiotic gut environment that was likely driving her IBS symptoms. This assessment also highlighted poor-quality stomach acid, a factor that can exacerbate dysbiosis and indigestion, further compounding her digestive challenges.
To address Lola's complex health concerns, a personalised protocol was designed by her practitioner alongside her coach. The protocol targeted her skin issues, hormonal imbalances, and gut health, all of which were closely interconnected.
The first step in her plan was the P88 elimination diet, designed to remove foods identified as triggers for her gut and skin issues. This dietary approach aimed to reduce inflammation in her gut, manage her IBS symptoms and bloating, and prevent perioral dermatitis flare-ups.
In addition to dietary changes, Lola’s protocol included targeted nutritional and herbal supplements. Betaine HCl was introduced to improve stomach acid levels, enhancing digestion and creating the proper pH environment for healthy bowel flora. Zn Bioactive was added for its immune-modulating and skin-healing properties, while Lactobacillus plantarum was included to restore healthy intestinal motility. PHGG prebiotic powder was also recommended to support the growth of beneficial bowel flora.
Stress management played a crucial role in Lola’s recovery, as stress was identified as a key trigger for her skin flare-ups and hormonal imbalances. Mindfulness techniques, such as yoga nidra and meditation, were introduced to help her manage emotional stressors. These practices allowed Lola to activate her parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calmness and creating an environment conducive to healing.
Lola faced several barriers during her journey that were addressed through ongoing health coaching.
One significant challenge was adapting to the P88 elimination diet. Lola found the diet restrictive and overwhelming, particularly as it required careful planning and preparation while her energy levels were low. Meal preparation initially felt like an insurmountable task.
To overcome this, her coach guided Lola in breaking down meal planning into small, manageable steps. They began by identifying a few simple, compliant recipes that she could repeat throughout the week. Together, they also worked on reframing food preparation from a tedious chore to an opportunity to nourish her body for energy and healing.
Another major barrier was Lola’s tendency to overextend herself through work and social commitments, leaving little room for rest. This constant state of busyness and productivity was a significant obstacle to her healing process. Her coach used motivational interviewing and active listening techniques to help Lola recognise the importance of slowing down. By regularly asking herself “What does my body need right now?” Lola began to prioritise rest and self-care, giving her body the space it needed to recover.
Lola also struggled to connect emotionally with her healing journey. She often felt disconnected from the process, overwhelmed by conflicting health advice and trends, and second-guessed her decisions. To address this, her coach introduced a visualisation and health vision-setting exercise, which helped Lola reconnect with her inner motivations. This exercise allowed her to define her health goals clearly and emotionally connect with the outcomes she desired. This newfound clarity became a turning point, enabling Lola to sustain her motivation and approach her health journey with confidence and focus.
One of the most transformative moments in Lola’s journey was the discovery of her food triggers. Identifying the specific foods that exacerbated her eczema and IBS symptoms provided her with clear guidance on what to avoid, leading to a significant reduction in flare-ups. For the first time, she had a practical tool to manage her eczema, which had previously “ruined” her life. This breakthrough gave her a sense of relief and hope, as she finally understood the connection between her diet and her health.
Another major high point was Lola’s growing sense of control over her body. After months of battling flare-ups and feeling powerless, she began to recognise and respond to her body’s cues. By understanding how her lifestyle choices impacted her health, she felt empowered to manage her symptoms effectively. As Lola shared, “I now know my triggers, and I feel like I’m finally in control of my eczema without needing steroids” . This newfound autonomy became a cornerstone of her confidence and healing.
Throughout the program, Lola also celebrated steady progress and milestones. Improvements in gut health, weight loss, and more balanced hormonal cycles were small but meaningful wins that reinforced her commitment to the process. Each milestone was a testament to her hard work and dedication, and celebrating these achievements helped her stay motivated and confident in her ability to continue making positive changes. These moments of progress marked her transformation and contributed to her overall success.
Lucy was 5 when she was referred to us by a speech pathologist. Her mum was worried that she wasn’t going to be school ready, because she was getting sick every couple of weeks which would often progress to croup. The recurrent upper respiratory infections had impacted her hearing earlier in life, which in turn hampered her learning. She was also tired most of the time, and didn’t like the physicality of playing like other kids. In fact, she’d rarely go outside. She was also a very fussy eater, choosing only “white foods” such as milk, bread, cakes and biscuits.
Lucy was small for her age, had been late meeting most of her milestones, she could not breathe through her nose, and had speech and mannerisms that were underdeveloped for her age. She also experienced eczema periodically. Her mum reported that Lucy had been unwell most of her life and had also been constipated primarily since 3 months of age.
Lucy was a C-section baby and breastfed until 3 months of age, when she transitioned onto formula. Vaginal births and breast-feeding are considered to be protective and positive for a developing immune system. However, this isn’t possible for everyone due to circumstances, and can certainly be mitigated with appropriate interventions.
Functionally speaking, Lucy’s body was showing signs of stress from a young age, from about the time formula was introduced and worsened with solid food introduction. Excessive inflammation and mucous production had resulted in ear infections, grommets, lots of antibiotics, colds, coughs and croup. Antibiotics would have caused changes in her gut microbiome diversity, affecting her capacity to digest foods, and further negatively affecting an already imbalanced immune/inflammatory response.
Practically speaking, having a constantly blocked nose would have impaired taste acuity, therefore influencing her choice of foods. Her breathing difficulties would have impaired oxygen exchange, and therefore the production of energy, hence her apathetic response. Furthermore her innate immune resistance to infection was likely compromised by inadequate nutrients from her limited diet.
Therefore the treatment was aimed at several levels:
Food sensitivity testing revealed a strong reaction to dairy, which her mum was concerned about as she seemed to live off milk and cheese. We used substitutions for these foods for other white foods like coconut yoghurt, soy milk and gradually introduced fruits and vegetables in a way that was playful and reward based, so Lucy enjoyed the transition and became more adventurous with food.
We used:
By the end of 6 months of treatment, Lucy was assessed as school ready. But even more gratifying for her parents was that she had transformed into an energetic girl who could go on family bike rides and play outside for hours without needing to rest. She barely got sick anymore and if she did, it resolved quickly. Lucy also became aware of her body and very proud of her poo!
At MFM we’ve worked hard to overcome any possible roadblocks for patients. Part of this solution involves an app that we ask patients to join us on so we can monitor their nutrition, hydration, movement, sleep and other critical trackers. Not only do we get to see how you’re tracking, we can seamlessly communicate with each other as an extra (and very efficient) channel of support. John (not his real name) came to see Jabe as he’s in training to participate in a marathon and he needed some guidance around energy metabolism, athletic programming and nutrition to support him in his training. He said this about the support he receives through the Nudge app:
“…it’s great – pretty sure it got me started back, not sure I would have without it. It’s not the app that gets me, it’s the app, combined with knowing who is at the other end of it, plus having an appointment booked for another catch up – those three together keep me really honest – cheers”.
Katie came to the clinic with growing concerns about her health. She’d been struggling with frequent occurrences of hives, with itching that required daily antihistamines, and migraines that often coincided with her menstrual cycle. These challenges were further compounded by heavy periods, pelvic pain, anaemia, and an elevated cardiometabolic risk.
Despite making some initial dietary changes on her own, such as cutting out alcohol, Katie was seeking a deeper understanding of what was causing her symptoms, and a structured approach to resolving them.
To fully assess Katie’s health, Comprehensive Health Array, Precision 88 (P88) food reactions test, MyDNA Comprehensive, Dutch Plus, and Microbiomix tests were used to examine her nutrient levels, genetic predispositions, and gut health. Outcomes were:
With this comprehensive analysis, it became clear that several underlying factors were contributing to Katie’s symptoms, including food intolerances, nutrient imbalances, and inflammation in her thyroid. Addressing these through personalised interventions would be crucial in improving her overall health and quality of life.
Katie’s personalised health plan included both dietary changes and supplementation to address the underlying issues revealed by her tests. While waiting for all the test results, her practitioner suggested that she start with a low-histamine diet to see if that improved the hives she was experiencing. This dietary approach was designed to reduce the histamine load on her body and observe how her symptoms responded.
Katie was also prescribed skin creams, sprays and supplements. The topical preparations were used to relieve acute skin symptoms, and the action of the supplements was to:
- Modulate the immune system and reduce the action of histamine
- Support liver function
- Reduce cholesterol
- Optimise stomach acid and upper digestive function
- Enhance antioxidant status (to reduce inflammation generated free radical damage to skin and thyroid tissues)
Once the P88 test results were received, Katie was recommended to commence a P88 elimination diet. This involved avoiding the foods which elicited a strong IgE or IgG reaction, for 6 - 12 weeks. Finding specific foods, like kidney beans and cucumber as highly reactive foods, would have been impossible without testing.
With big dietary changes like this, the health coach played an important role. Although Katie was open to making changes, she found the idea of completely overhauling her diet overwhelming. Her health coach worked closely with Katie to overcome these barriers by focusing on behavioural changes and mindset shifts.
Katie faced several challenges during her healing journey, but with the guidance of her health coach, she was able to overcome them and make meaningful progress. One of her biggest struggles was the anxiety around restricting her diet. Food had been a source of comfort for her, and the idea of giving up familiar favourites felt overwhelming. Initially, she found it hard to fully commit to a low-histamine diet, but her health coach helped her reframe her perspective. Through motivational interviewing, they explored her resistance and developed a more flexible approach, allowing her to follow the diet 80% of the time while leaving room for occasional indulgences. This shift eased her anxiety and made the process more sustainable, ultimately leading to fewer hives and a reduced reliance on antihistamines.
Katie also found motivation through small wins. As she began noticing improvements in her skin - fewer flare-ups and less itching - the positive changes reinforced her commitment to the dietary changes. Her health coach encouraged her to celebrate these milestones, helping her stay motivated even when the process felt challenging.
Managing the routine of taking multiple supplements was another hurdle. Katie felt overwhelmed by the sheer number and struggled to keep up. Her coach broke down the purpose of each supplement, emphasising their role in her healing journey, and suggested ways to integrate them into her daily habits. Understanding their importance helped Katie stay consistent, and over time, she saw the benefits in her overall well-being.
Emotionally, Katie had unresolved traumas that were affecting her health. She recognised she hadn’t taken the time to process these challenges, which were weighing heavily on her mind and body. Her coach introduced her to journaling as a tool for reflection and emotional release. They also discussed the connection between emotional and physical health, helping her understand how unprocessed feelings could manifest as symptoms. Journaling became a regular practice, giving Katie a safe space to work through her emotions. She felt heard and validated during these sessions, which played a vital role in her healing.
With her coach’s support, Katie was able to navigate these barriers, build resilience, and make lasting changes that supported her recovery.
By the end of the program, Katie experienced significant improvements in both her physical and emotional health. Her hives and skin flare-ups became less severe, and she no longer needed to take antihistamines daily. Katie also noticed that her migraines, which used to coincide with her menstrual cycle, had disappeared.
Additionally, her pelvic pain was greatly reduced, and she was able to enjoy activities such as pilates and tae kwon do again without discomfort.
Katie expressed pride in her progress, saying, “I’m thankful that as early as now, I have been able to find out health issues and do something about it.”. She also shared, “I’m proud of myself - I know my body more. Doing the lab tests has been informative.”
By sticking to the dietary recommendations 80% of the time and making gradual lifestyle adjustments, Katie found that her quality of life improved significantly. She felt more connected to her body, more confident in managing her symptoms, and more empowered to make decisions that supported her well-being.
Katie's journey is a testament to the power of personalised health interventions, emotional support, and a flexible approach to dietary changes. Through the guidance of her practitioner and health coach, she was able to reclaim control over her health and feel more at ease in her body.
Michael is 35 years old, a husband, first time father and entrepreneur. He came to see us because his skin was causing him to feel self-conscious about the appearance of the skin on his face. His work involved a lot of training and public speaking and noticed that his skin was starting to undermine his self-confidence.
His skin was red and flaking below his eyes, across the bridge around the folds of his nose, as well as on the margin of his hairline and scalp. The flaking on his scalp was persistent and profuse and was also a source of concern, as he constantly had to be aware of flakes falling on his suit jackets or shirts. He was using anti-dandruff shampoo to try and control it. More recently an angry red rash had spread through his beard, down his neck and onto his chest.
Michael had been dealing with this for 5 years and had tried eliminating foods for short periods of time with little success. However, these dietary experiments had only been for a few weekends at most.
We conducted food sensitivity testing for Michael and found that he was highly sensitive to eggs, gluten and dairy. We removed these foods from his diet, gradually, for a total of 3 months. During this time, we focused on reducing inflammatory markers that is a key driver of dermatitis, restoring the gut microbiome (which impacts inflammation), creating normal healthy bowel motions (another driver or contributor to dermatitis), and most importantly, repairing gut inflammation, which is generally present in those that have external inflammation.
By the end of the 3 months, the inflammation on his face was almost completely resolved.
Through rechallenging certain foods, we established that eggs were highly reactive for him and removed these from his diet moving forward, of course while replacing them with other protein sources. Surprisingly the scalp flaking/dandruff completely disappeared.
Note: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and dandruff are a continuum of the same condition. SD effects areas mostly where there is a higher proportion of oil glands. Cradle cap is also a form of SD. On the scalp SD tends to be less inflamed, and is mostly an over-production of oils that flakes off. On the rest of the body, it tends to appear on the nose, cheeks, sometimes chin, chest and anywhere there is a crease e.g. armpits, neck or elbow crease.
Rachael initially sought help for a range of digestive and women's health issues. She presented with poor digestive health with ongoing abdominal pain, fatigue and low energy, weight gain, cyclical headaches and migraines, painful periods, premenstrual mood drops, and low iron levels. Rachael was also working in a demanding job that was challenging her ability to create a work/life balance and prioritise her own health and self-care.
Rachael’s case required a thorough examination of her personal health history, focusing on gastrointestinal and reproductive health. Functional testing revealed gut dysbiosis and nutritional deficiencies. Her treatment plan included herbal antimicrobials, liver support, menstrual cycle regulation, and dietary adjustments. Additionally, Rachael was referred for a sleep study, which diagnosed low-level sleep apnoea, which contributed to her low energy levels.
Functional hormone testing indicated Rachael needed adrenal and stress support due to a high cortisol awakening response and compromised liver function, both of which affected her hormone levels. A combination of supplementation and lifestyle changes was recommended to address these issues, with continued monitoring of her cyclic symptoms of low mood, headache and migraines.
By tracking her menstrual cycle, Rachael identified a connection between her headaches, migraines, low mood, and energy levels with the ovulation phase of her cycle. Rachael also realised that her habit of mindlessly snacking when bored or stressed likely contributed to her digestive issues. Eating while distracted or under stress meant her body wasn’t focused on digestion, leading to poor digestive function.
Rachael’s personalised treatment focused on improving gut health, liver function, and addressing nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and mood support. Lifestyle interventions were implemented to improve her diet, sleep quality, and reduce her stress to support her treatment aims.
Initially, Rachael felt disconnected from her body, and uncertain about how to overcome her health challenges. She was trapped in a constant state of fight-or-flight, which made it hard for her to understand her body's needs. Learning to listen to her body became essential to her healing journey, helping her recognise signals related to sleep, stress, and hunger - signals that are often ignored when stuck in survival mode. Through health coaching, Rachael focused on developing strategies and habit changes to improve her sleep, stress, and eating habits.
Through ongoing health coaching conversations and the employment of personalised coaching strategies, Rachael adopted mindful eating practices, reduced snacking, and learned to recognise when she used food as a coping mechanism. This included taking lunch breaks away from her desk, and eating calmly and mindfully, without distractions. She also developed strategies to become more conscious of her hunger cues, such as taking her dog for a walk before re-evaluating her hunger.
With the guidance of her coach, Rachael also explored her sleep habits, establishing better sleep hygiene and prioritising rest. Motivated by learning, her coach suggested she read Breath by James Nestor, inspiring her to focus on her breathing, especially when stressed or exercising. She began using mouth taping at night to support her sleep and practised nose breathing during exercise.
Through coaching, Rachael overcame various obstacles, including her fear of sleep apnoea, which had previously deterred her from completing a sleep study. In a supportive environment, Rachael realised the importance of addressing her health concerns rather than avoiding them. She also reconnected with habits that had previously supported her well-being, such as establishing a morning ritual of gratitude and journaling, which helped her start her day calmly and mindfully.
About halfway through her program, Rachael began reporting significant improvements in her symptoms:
Rachael noticed meaningful improvements in her mental clarity and started to find joy in life again.
Her cyclic symptoms improved, with reduced headache intensity during ovulation and the cessation of migraines. PMS symptoms also decreased in intensity.
Rachael's sleep continued to improve, and her baseline fatigue lessened. Her partner reported that her snoring had stopped, leading to more energy upon waking.
Her digestive system improved, resulting in more regular and complete bowel movements. As a result Rachael’s abdominal pain resolved, and she was happy to be taking more control over her weight, resulting in weight-loss.
Rachael became more attuned to her body and what it needed for health and healing. She implemented the breathing techniques she learned from James Nestor, which had a profound impact on her stress and anxiety levels. For instance, Rachael noticed that when dealing with stress at work, she would start breathing through her mouth. She learned to catch this behaviour and use mindful breathwork to calm her nervous system, giving her the space to understand and manage her stress triggers.
Through health coaching, Rachael celebrated the profound changes she made in her relationship with food. She became more aware of the benefits of mindful eating and chewing her food, which significantly impacted her symptom improvements. Rachael celebrated:
As Rachael's fatigue lifted and her energy and mood improved, she reintroduced habits she had previously abandoned, such as a mindful morning routine of meditation, movement, and journaling, which helped her build resilience and maintain higher energy levels throughout the day.
Through coaching, Rachael learned to understand her menstrual cycle and how to use each phase to her advantage. A podcast she listened to changed her perspective, helping her create a positive relationship with her cycle, body, and energy. This allowed her to align her personal and professional goals with her menstrual cycle.
Rachael also developed a renewed zest for life, actively scheduling trips with her partner to improve her work-life balance and enhance her ability to find joy and flow in life.
Jenny came into the program with significant health concerns, which included bloating, constipation, brain fog, and migraines. These, plus other ongoing issues had severely impacted her ability to work, as she struggled with unpredictable health fluctuations. After finding little help from allopathic medicine specialists, Jenny turned to us as a last resort, hoping for answers and a path to recovery.
To understand the root causes of Jenny’s symptoms, several targeted tests were conducted:
These tests provided a comprehensive view of her condition, allowing for a more precise treatment approach.
Through this testing, we discovered that Jenny tested positive for SIBO. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth is a condition where bacteria normally found lower in the large intestine have overgrown in the small intestine.
The investigation phase was crucial in revealing the underlying issues contributing to Jenny's symptoms. Based on the results, her practitioner developed an individualised plan, focused on Jenny's specific conditions and health goals. The main components of her treatment included:
Jenny faced several barriers during her treatment, including:
Breaking down these barriers was a central focus of the discussions between Jenny and her health coach. Through motivational interviewing and active listening, Jenny realised the importance of slowing down and prioritising her own health. She learned to release the pressure of needing to do everything for everyone else, and give herself the space to heal.
Jenny’s health coach provided ongoing support by helping her create a manageable plan for the restrictive phase of the diet. This included identifying a rotation of meals she could consistently eat, which made the diet feel more "doable" to her.
Jenny had felt isolated in her health journey, with few people truly understanding what she was going through. The support from her healthcare team was pivotal in helping her implement the treatment strategies and begin regaining her health.
The weekly coaching calls provided Jenny with a safe space to be herself, feel heard, and be valued. This support was something she had not experienced before, and it played a crucial role in her healing process. As Jenny expressed, "I feel like I’m not falling through the cracks. Like I have a voice and am being heard."
Through the exercise of setting a health vision, Jenny connected deeply with her health goals. This vision motivated her to make the necessary lifestyle changes, even when faced with setbacks. Regular check-ins with her health coach allowed Jenny to tune into her body’s needs, whether it was rest, better food choices, or creative endeavours.
After the initial 3-month treatment of SIBO, a retest showed significant improvement and an overall downward trend in her symptoms. Jenny’s digestive system felt much better, with regular bowel motions and reduced bloating. She shared her excitement:
"I feel like I’m on the way now - really excited. I know that I will achieve the goal of getting well - I feel it coming . I’m ready to thrive in my life."
Her brain fog had also subsided with reports of “getting my brain back!”
After treatment, Jenny’s energy levels improved to the point where she could participate in a much-loved activity - hiking with friends - without the fear of being unable to complete it. She continued to make steady progress toward her goals.
As she moved into Phase 2 of the SIBO bi-phasic diet, Jenny faced new challenges, such as the apprehension about reintroducing certain foods and maintaining her newly found vitality. However, she managed these challenges by focusing on enjoying the process of making her own food, and finding joy in the "sweetness of life" beyond just sugary treats.
Throughout her journey, Jenny began reconnecting with her true, authentic self. With the guidance of her health coach, she learned to regularly check in with herself, asking, "What do I need right now?" . This practice allowed her to listen to her body’s needs and respond accordingly, whether that meant taking a walk, choosing a better food option, resting, or engaging in creative activities.
Along with the expert guidance from Jenny’s practitioner, and uncovering the root cause of her symptoms, the coaching space provided Jenny with the opportunity to be seen, heard, and validated, which was a powerful catalyst for healing and the continued restoration of her health.
At the time of meeting his practitioner, Campbell had two central health priorities - improving sleep and his skin.
This 23-year-old male presented with severe eczema and skin rashes, primarily affecting his face, scalp, and neck, with additional patches on his torso, arms, and legs. The dryness and itchiness were intense, exacerbating his social anxiety and causing him to isolate at home. His eczema was so severe that, aside from going to work, he struggled to leave the house for several years.
As a young child, Campbell experienced eczema and food anaphylactic allergies which had been managed, and some of the food allergies had resolved over time. In his very early years, he began to fear food, particularly new or unknown foods, for the risk of an allergic response.
At around 17 years of age, he noticed a change in the skin presentation - it suddenly became much worse.
Seeing a dermatologist, he was prescribed steroids to manage the flares. He came off the steroid treatment and developed TSW (topical steroid withdrawal) syndrome. For many, TSW can be as severe, or even more severe, than the original skin expression.
Due to the severity of his symptoms, he hadn’t been able to work for 4 months.
Insomnia was also in his top two presenting concerns, which is common in those experiencing eczema. He was itching through the night, and even when he wasn’t itchy, it was difficult to get to sleep or to stay asleep.
Anxiety was present and was exacerbated by the skin condition.
Due to early life food allergies, Campbell was exposed to a very small number of foods in his diet. He was missing whole food groups like nuts/seeds, legumes/beans, eggs, and had a very limited vegetable intake. He consumed primarily beef and chicken as protein sources.
Initial testing involved:
We explored home digestive testing to further understand his gut health and integrity. These tests told us that Campbell had low stomach acid and low gastric function.
Because of the nature of Campbell’s presentation, he adopted a low histamine diet upon our recommendation, in order to reduce total histamine load. Histamine is a compound produced as part of the immune response, and in eczema, excessive histamine accumulation is the primary cause of itchiness. Making this change offered immediate improvements for Campbell in reducing the intensity of itching and inflamed appearance of his skin.
He introduced a gut healing protocol and used topical creams (non medicated) to improve his skin barrier and support healing.
Due to restrictions and personal preferences, Campbell’s dietary scope was very narrow, so his team worked hard to improve the diversity in his diet. While he wasn’t positive for Coeliac disease, he did learn that when he ate gluten, his skin reacted, suggesting a sensitivity to gluten.
Campbell’s eczema fluctuated between periods of improvement and challenging flare-ups, causing both physical discomfort and emotional strain. This is common among eczema patients, as managing the condition often involves navigating through both progress and setbacks. Because of this, he felt a strong desire to understand the underlying causes of his condition, and communicated openly with his coach and practitioner about his eagerness to explore all available testing options.
From earlier testing, Campbell knew he had dust allergies, and did an excellent job of keeping his environment clean. As we moved into winter and experienced a sudden cold burst, he turned on the home heating. This one change initiated a significant flare. He took a bath and used products he didn’t normally use. His reaction was so bad that he resorted to steroids. This period was very distressing for Campbell, and it was important to have regular contact with his coach to talk through those feelings, ensure the practitioner was up to date with any changes, and that his team were able to support him through this experience.
His skin settled with the use of steroids, but he continued to present with very dry patches.
Further testing highlighted a bacterial overgrowth in his gut. Treatment for that saw a rapid improvement to skin symptoms. Because his skin improved, his sleep improved. This is because being able to improve sleep quantity and quality allows more time for the body’s repair networks to pay attention to healing.
Coaching presented a valuable sounding board for Campbell. He was able to share his feelings, frustrations, and be guided as he navigated the ups and downs of his symptoms.
His coach helped him figure out strategies like how to avoid stimulation prior to sleep, dietary support, and was able to give his practitioner regular and ongoing updates with any changes.
Dietary support for Campbell was based in conversations to expand his dietary range. While testing did identify some foods to eliminate due to antigen responses, Campbell’s dietary baseline was already incredibly restricted due to his strong preference for simple foods, and he was not drawn to experimenting either. His coach developed a list of foods for him to experiment with, with the intention of expanding his nutritional exposure.
The most meaningful coaching support offered to Campbell was having a non-judgemental person who held space weekly for him to share his concerns and worries, and so that he knew his team were up to date with his ongoing changes. This constant care was in itself stress-reducing, as he was able to ‘let things go’ and not hold onto his worries. Coaching is not always about coming up with solutions - sometimes it's about simply being heard.
Towards the end of the program, Campbell continued with his preferred, slightly limited diet, but was able to reintroduce some of the foods that had been eliminated. He continued to take gut healing support and was attending to the bacterial overgrowth.
Campbell reported significant improvement, particularly in his sleep quality. His sleep became much deeper, which further supported the healing of his skin. He also noted that, unlike before, he now remembers his dreams and wakes up feeling refreshed.
The skin on his body healed over the time of the program in response to the combined strategies related to sleep, stress management, diet refinement and rebalancing the microbiome. Whilst the skin on his face was slower to respond, it continues to improve incrementally using a combined functional and conventional medicine strategy.
Simon presented with a chronic skin condition that had persisted for over 20 years, including eczema, psoriasis, and skin infections. He also suffered from fatigue and sought to improve his energy levels. Simon had relied on steroids for over a decade, and his skin was inflamed, dry, and flaky. Wounds took a long time to heal and never fully recovered. Additionally, Simon would experience sudden, intense itching, particularly at night, which disrupted his sleep.
Given the chronic nature of Simon’s condition, multiple factors were explored to understand the underlying causes. It was noted that Simon's skin issues began after moving to a different geographical location, during which time he also experienced high levels of stress as a business owner with no work-life balance. He hadn't taken a holiday in over six years, and worked long hours with little downtime or sleep.
Functional testing revealed that Simon could break down histamines effectively which probably explained why a low histamine diet only had limited benefits. Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical in our body. It causes redness, itching and swelling. Some people have too much histamine or an impaired ability to break it down. Simon’s testing showed a normal function for breaking down histamine.
Testing designed to detect unique immunological reactions to foods (IgG and IgE reactions) showed that Simon was consuming foods that triggered an immune response, contributing to his inflammation that is a primary contributor to skin conditions. Additionally, adrenal testing showed that Simon produced high levels of cortisol in the evening, which severely impacted his sleep, reducing his body’s ability to heal his skin.
It was concluded that Simon's skin issues were likely due to a combination of dietary intolerances and a diet high in processed foods, which stemmed from a lack of understanding as to the role food played in his health. His lifestyle factors, particularly sleep and stress, were also significant contributors. Simon needed support for his immune system, skin healing, and reduction of itching.
Simon's personalised treatment plan focused on reducing refined sugar, as well as removing specific dietary triggers that were identified from testing such as beef, dairy, and shellfish.
Topical creams were also used to help improve Simon’s skin barrier and healing time. These topical applications are designed to act as emollients with other actions such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and barrier strengthening.
Initially, Simon was unaware of the impact that high stress levels, poor work-life balance, and inadequate sleep had on his health. He was sceptical about the role of diet in his skin flares, but with support, he began to understand the connection.
Simon's health coach guided him in making gradual changes to his diet and provided personalised resources to support these adjustments. His main challenges were mindset and belief in the role food was playing.
With the guidance of his health coach, Simon received a personalised food plan that included a list of foods to eat without limitation, along with recipes that incorporated these ingredients. The plan was designed with a specific time frame to help his body adjust and respond, giving him valuable feedback. This approach helped Simon build confidence and see positive results.
As Simon continued to work with his coach and practitioner, he became more aware of the role stress played in his health, as during a particularly stressful situation, Simon noticed a direct connection between his stress levels and skin flares. He then started implementing stress management tools, which made up a part of his treatment plan from his practitioner.
Working with his health coach, Simon used resources and tools provided to him that helped him build new habits, including breathing exercises, meditation, and re-engaging in old habits that had been lost, such as slow stretching.
Sleep was another critical area of focus. Initially, Simon reported sleeping only four hours per night, waking up with low energy, and feeling unrested. With both practitioner recommendation and health coach guidance, Simon learned that he needed at least eight hours of sleep to allow his body to enter repair mode. This message was reinforced when he read the book ‘Why We Sleep - by Matthew Walker’ which gave Simon the science backed data that motivated him to prioritise sleep and improve his sleep hygiene.
By the midpoint of his program, Simone was consistently getting about eight hours of sleep each night. It was also around this time, Simon noted that he had not used steroids to control his skin flares for over three months.
As Simon continued his treatment, he noticed meaningful improvements in his skin. A staph infection that was present at the start of his program had resolved, healing times improved, and a particularly stubborn area on the back of his leg healed completely. His forehead and scalp became less itchy and dry, and overall, his skin felt smoother.
Simon underwent a food antigen test designed to identify the foods that were causing inflammation and a 6-week elimination diet was implemented. Three weeks into the elimination diet he observed substantial skin improvements. This process allowed him to reintroduce potential trigger foods systematically, giving him first hand experience of which foods exacerbated his skin condition and which ones he could safely enjoy without flaring.
A turning point in Simon’s treatment progress came through health coaching, which helped him break through his initial resistance to changing his diet and lifestyle. He made sleep a priority, increasing his nightly rest to eight hours from the mere four he previously managed. Alongside this, Simon was armed with tools and resources by his health coach to assist him in creating practices and building habits like meditation and breathwork. These significantly helped him manage stress and boosted his overall sense of well-being. During this time, he also faced increased stress at work, leading him to work with a business coach to create a more sustainable work-life balance aligned with his values. As Simon implemented these supportive habits, he experienced increased energy and reduced stress, which allowed him to reintroduce physical activity into his daily routine.
Towards the end of his treatment, Simon planned his first family holiday in six years. This decision marked a significant shift in his mindset, as he became more proactive about taking regular breaks throughout the year.
By the end of his six-month treatment, although Simon had not fully healed all his skin issues, however, several long-standing problem areas showed no signs of infection. After ten years of relying on steroid treatments, Simon gained the confidence to manage his skin condition, using the tools, strategies, and insights he had developed throughout his treatment journey.
Simon continued to engage in maintenance appointments with his practitioner to ensure that he continued his skin healing journey with support and ongoing clinical guidance.
When Danielle first came to us, the bathroom was the one room in the house she dreaded. With a history of gut issues that she’d had no resolution from, she was determined to get to the bottom of things.
After running some labs to determine just what was going on we incorporated supplements and asked Danielle to experiment with some foods. She saw improvement in bloating, mood, energy and digestion.
There was a significant turning point for Danielle. Talking with Bee one day, she was recounting that she was still experiencing reflux, sugar cravings after meals and her bowels weren’t moving the way she hoped they would. She set a micro challenge: for one week, eat mindfully. Remove all tech and reading materials, taste each mouthful, chew thoroughly, put your fork down between mouthfuls.
A phone call follow up the next week saw her very excited as her bowel movements were now her idea of perfect, the cravings had subsided and she had no more reflux. Together, Danielle and Bee celebrated the simplicity of this one element.
Susan is a 60 year old female who presented to the clinic with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, overweight and with chronic sleep problems. Her fasting blood glucose fluctuated between 7-8mmol/L and would rise to 17mmol/L after eating. A measure of her HbA1c levels at 9.2% indicates that her blood glucose regulation had been poorly managed over the proceeding 3 months.
A review of Susan’s diet showed regular meal skipping, high intake of coffee, and low in fruits vegetables and fibre. She was undertaking a moderate amount of exercise each week including walking and 3-4 gym sessions, however there was no effect on reducing weight.
At the initial consultation Susan’s recent pathology was reviewed:
Liver function test showed low serum globulin indicating that liver function was less than optimal, however, not suggestive of any serious pathology and likely attributable to a suboptimal diet.
Her most recent fasting blood sugar was extremely high at 17.7mmol/L, a significant increase on her previous result of 7.8mmol/L and her HbA1c indicated that the dysregulation of blood glucose has been going on for several months or longer. Fasting blood glucose levels normally range between 3.5-6mmol/L, so the current result is diagnostic for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) which now requires oral medications and insulin injections to control.
Serum insulin levels were found to be normal, suggesting that the pancreas was still capable of producing insulin, however wasn’t secreting sufficient insulin to control blood glucose, and it is likely that Susan’s cells were resistant to insulin.
Cortisol levels, a key marker for inflammation, was elevated, as were her serum triglycerides which are associated with cholesterol.
During the consultation it was also found that Susan suffered from bloating and constipation, and her sleep was frequently interrupted by leg cramps and needing to urinate. She also had several amalgam fillings in her teeth, and had begun to suffer from neurological symptoms in her hands and feet which is commonly associated with poorly controlled T2DM.
Susan had a number of stressors in her life relating to caring for her family and working night shift.
Following the initial consultation some functional pathology tests were ordered. A food reactivity profile was undertaken and showed Susan to be reactive to white potato, sweet potato, garlic and coffee, all of which frequently featured in her diet. These food reactions will contribute to a systemic inflammatory response, further disrupt her diabetic control, and will be an underlying driver for disease progression.
An organic acids test was also completed and showed elevated markers for yeast and bacterial overgrowth, in particular for clostridium difficile. The elevated oxalates also suggested that the yeast overgrowth was likely to be caused by Candida which is often found to be problematic in people with poorly controlled T2DM. A number of other metabolites showed increased lactic acid, poor energy production and increased ketones, all of which are consistent with her diabetic state.
The organic acids report also showed elevated metabolites for her detoxification pathways which is suggestive of potential toxic exposure. Susan undertook a toxic metals blood screen which showed high levels of antimony which has been shown to leech from PET plastic bottles and containers. Mercury levels were also elevated and are likely to be related to her amalgam fillings.
At the end of the consultation, the priorities for managing Susan’s health were determined to be:
The approach to addressing Susan’s uncontrolled blood sugar regulation involved both effective lifestyle interventions to address diet, exercise, weight control and stress management as well as specific clinical interventions.
The 4 pillars are the foundation for establishing health and in Susan’s case, will form the lifelong strategies she will need to follow to continue to manage her diabetes.
EAT: Functional testing detected a number of reactive foods in Susans diet. These were removed to reduce the immune priming and inflammatory response that dysregulates blood sugar regulation. Other dietary changes were implemented to reduce the high amount of processed foods and high glycaemic load foods, and to increase fibre and complex carbohydrates. These approaches stabilise blood glucose levels, preventing spikes which can reduce insulin’s ability to bind to cell membrane receptors and allow glucose to enter the cell.
MOVE: There is a significant body of evidence to support the role of regular moderate exercise in managing people with diabetes. For Susan this included brisk walking outdoors or on the treadmill for 1hr/day 4-5 times per week.
SLEEP: Specific sleep promoting strategies were implemented to help regulate cortisol and melatonin levels necessary to promote quality sleep. Improving the body's diurnal cortisol regulation also reduces cortisol's effect of driving systemic inflammation which is a primary concern in the progression of diabetes.
DE-STRESS: One of the physiological effects of stress is elevated cortisol which becomes a primary driver of systemic inflammation. Regular practice of stress management techniques such as breathing exercises were used to help reduce the physiological impact of stress on Susan, and to improve her cortisol regulation over the course of the day.
Several supplements were also prescribed.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid, which has been shown to improve insulin resistance, one of the key endocrine disorders that precedes the development of T2DM. ALA also improves symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy which is commonly experienced in people with diabetes.
Low magnesium has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance. Magnesium citrate was prescribed to correct the low magnesium levels and also to assist with the physiological effects of stress.
Activated B-Complex vitamins are important cofactors involved in a large number of metabolic processes in the body.
Probiotics were prescribed to help restore the healthy gut bacteria and reduce the opportunistic overgrowth of candida. With reduction of the candida, vitamins B6 and B12 will support the oxalate metabolism pathway, reduce the excess oxalates that had been found, and reduce the pro-inflammatory effects of oxalates.
Current evidence suggests that lifestyle factors should be the primary interventions for the management of insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Over several months, Susan worked with her health coach to progressively plan and implement the key strategies recommended for each of the 4 pillars; eat, move, sleep, and destress.
Along with the prescribed supplements, within 3 months, Susan’s blood glucose readings reduced from a fasting level of 17mmol/L to 8mmol/L, and her HbA1c levels had reduced from 9.2% to 7.9%. Additionally, Susan lost 5.5kg in weight.
These significant changes in Susans diabetes control demonstrate a significant reduction in her risk factors for peripheral vascular disease, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and blindness. In discussions with her doctors, Susan’s GP had agreed that if she continued to improve over the next 3 months, then they would consider reducing her insulin with view to her moving to oral medication only to control her blood sugar levels.
Leanne, 25yo, had been experiencing hard nodules in her groin since puberty which fluctuated with her menstrual cycle. She explained that sometimes the lesions would burst. At the time she came to us, she had one primary large lesion and several pea-size lesions that had persisted, cycling between mild and severe for the previous month.
Antibiotics had been prescribed, however these caused an allergic response. She had also been recommended to take the pill, though knew this wouldn’t be appropriate due to previous adverse events, like mood changes and acne vulgaris, to that medication as well.
A thorough case history revealed that whilst Leanne was within the healthy BMI range, she had gained 12kg since puberty. Given that weight gain is associated with the condition, this may have been a contributing factor.
She was also not having complete bowel motions. Daily complete emptying of the digestive system is a key way that the body detoxifies, including hormones. This was validated by functional hormone testing and gut function testing which showed that she had an imbalance in bowel flora that were impacting her digestion as well as phase 3 oestrogen detoxification.
Other factors that were likely contributing to Leanne’s case were low water consumption, a lot of convenience foods, and that she had been smoking for the last 6 years.
Leanne’s treatment plan included:
Leanne’s health coach supported her through dietary and lifestyle modifications, guided her through the testing process and was available between appointments to navigate and interpret symptom changes.
Through discussions with her coach, it was discovered that Leanne had erratic sleep patterns. This arose as an important factor in her body’s ability to heal, as sleep is when the body should be resting, healing, detoxifying and integrating. Therefore, her health coach supported and guided Leanne to develop strategies and behaviours for consistent, restful sleep.
Within 2 weeks the largest active lesion had completely subsided, but there were still some small lesions that grew and remitted in a cyclical fashion alongside her menstrual cycle.
After 3 months of treating hormones, achieving great bowel health and sleep habits, these also resolved without any of the lesions rupturing, which was a huge success.
This was a huge relief to Leanne who was then able to focus her energy on smoking cessation, as this was identified as a significant risk for recurrence of the condition.
Sophia came to us with a picture of chronic fatigue, which she had experienced for the past 2 and a half years. She also had chronic sinusitis and digestive symptoms such as constant bloating.
Sophia had seen other integrative practitioners in the past and had unfortunately reached the point where any supplement she took made her feel worse.
Her fatigue was crippling. She was very entrepreneurial, and an extroverted personality, but had reached the point where she couldn’t work and was disengaged socially, which was having a profound impact on her mental health and quality of life.
Given Sophia had lived in two houses previously that contained mould, we explored whether her body was experiencing mould illness to see if that was one of the causes of her fatigue symptoms. Sophia completed a Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) test which indicated she was positive for a biotoxin (mould) illness.
The Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome questionnaire indicated a CIRS diagnosis, which is a chronic, inflammatory response to the mould she was exposed to in her environment. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive for a Staphylococcus infection and a previous Mycotox profile test done by another clinic showed elevated levels of a type of mould called Ochratoxin A. These 4 different pieces of data created a robust theory of mould illness.
Further investigations were also explored to help identify other factors contributing to her health complaints. They included:
An extensive thyroid test revealed a subclinical hypothyroid condition which most likely was contributing to Sophia’s fatigue levels. By testing for thyroid antibodies, we detected elevated levels, indicating the early stages of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid condition.
Through extensive testing, we discovered there was a relationship between Sophia’s energy fluctuations, and her digestive symptoms. Our treatment plan consisted of:
Sophia's healing journey was defined by its "up and down" nature - a recurring theme throughout her experience. From the initial exploration phase through treatment, she often grappled with frustrating digestive symptoms, persistent fatigue, and a sense of being unable to fully engage in life.
There were moments when Sophia experienced noticeable improvements - feeling more energetic and seeing her digestive issues subside. These periods brought hope and renewed motivation to continue working toward her health goals.
Yet, progress was not linear. Setbacks would often follow, with symptoms returning and rekindling feelings of frustration and discouragement. This ebb and flow is a common hallmark of recovery, particularly for conditions involving complex factors like digestion and energy levels.
For Sophia, this cyclical process underscored the reality that healing is rarely straightforward. It required resilience and adaptability as she navigated both the emotional and physical challenges of her journey, learning to embrace progress and setbacks alike as part of the path to recovery.
We continually worked to maintain the balance of correcting her physiological imbalances using active treatment whilst supporting her capacity to handle the interventions. This often involved adjusting dosage of active compounds in order to meet her needs without adding stress.
Sophia said at the beginning of her coaching relationship that she wanted someone to work alongside her so she was “not having to problem solve myself”. This highlights one of the key benefits of health coaching - providing personalised support and guidance to help patients navigate their health challenges, making the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Sophia’s default energy is high vibe, ambitious and productive. To be experiencing debilitating fatigue was difficult on many levels. She shared with her coach “I feel so trapped… I’m so desperate to be alive and show up how I want to. It’s so frustrating.”. This is something that people experiencing fatigue often say. This ‘invisible’ symptom renders them unable to be who they are and live how they want to.
Sophia and her coach explored her psychometrics to learn more about how she is motivated and what drives her. This can be a helpful anchor when making change. It was revealed that Sophia’s #1 value was love (humanity) - valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing & caring are reciprocated; being close to people.
By learning that Sophia was driven by love, humour, creativity and gratitude, her coach was able to incorporate these strengths into their approach, allowing them to guide behaviour change in a way that truly resonated with her.
During a coaching call at what was a particularly challenging time, when fatigue had become overwhelming and Sophia was frustrated, her coach asked “What happens if you surrender and don’t need to change anything?”. There was so much mental energy being directed towards recovery, that there was an energy cost to even that. After exploring, Sophia noted “Even if I overthink positive things I get tired… I did surrender on Saturday. It felt amazing. Then felt a lift in my head”.
At the end of her program, Sophia was doing things that 4 months ago seemed like a dream. Under the guidance of her exercise physiologist, she was running (a carefully prescribed strategy). She was doing push ups. Her sleep was better, stress was down and her tummy was less reactive and more stable.
She told her coach she was ‘beaming on the treadmill’. You can imagine that after a long stretch of chronic fatigue, something that others so readily take for granted being so special and meaningful. It’s not that the running itself mattered, it was that she had the capacity to run. The original goal of being able to exercise had been achieved. It’s what we want to see - someone living their life how they want to.
Clinical results after the completion of the program included a subjective energy level of 70-80% of optimal most days (previously regularly 20-30%). She saw a massive improvement in the chronic sinusitis which she had experienced since childhood. Immune function overall improved with a big reduction in respiratory infections. Digestively she was able to eat most foods and maintain good healthy gut function.
We saw a normalisation in thyroid function. From September 2023 to January 2024:
With these results she was no longer considered to have subclinical hypothyroidism. The normalisation of her TSH indicates a return to normal healthy thyroid function.
Ongoing issues that we continue to work with Sophia includes occasional bloating and PMS. Sophia has now chosen to move into our Optimiser program. In this program she no longer requires functional medicine detective work, but implements strategies to take her improved health to an even higher level.
Read more success stories and real world testimonials from patients of Melbourne Functional Medicine here.
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Browse our FAQs by category below.
Yes, functional medicine is evidence based, and the evidence base for functional medicine is constantly growing, as more and more studies are published on the functional medicine approach with a range of health concerns such as COVID, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes, atrial fibrillation, arthritis, digestive health concerns like SIBO and a range of gut, skin, heart, hormonal and mood conditions.
A functional medicine practitioner is a healthcare professional who has undertaken training in the functional medicine approach, and is certified as a functional medicine practitioner. They specialise in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease through personalised care, and have a broad knowledge of disease processes, health, natural remedies and lifestyle medicine. Many different health professionals can train in the functional medicine approach, from doctors to nurses, naturopaths, and chiropractors.
A functional medicine practitioner uses a systems biology approach to understand how the body works in order to solve health issue. They focus on finding and addressing the root cause of illness, rather than simply treating symptoms.
Functional medicine practitioners take a holistic approach to health care, considering all aspects of a person’s life that may be contributing to their illness. They work with patients to develop personalised treatment plans that may include diet and lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and other natural therapies.
A naturopath can be a doctor, which is typical in the United States, however in Australia, naturopaths are typically not doctors, and training levels can vary, from having a Bachelors of Science to Diplomas. There are however functional medicine trained naturopaths, like the functional medicine practitioners at our clinic.
The difference between a functional medicine doctor and a functional medicine naturopath in Australia is that a doctor can prescribe medications and order blood work, often covered by Medicare, whereas a naturopath prescribes natural medicines like nutrients and herbs, and can organise functional testing, however any prescription medication or standard blood pathology testing is managed with a patient’s doctor by working in an integrated way. Functional medicine doctors may focus more or less on a conventional approach to your health issue, depending on their training and preferences, whereas a naturopath will focus solely on natural approaches to your health.
If you’re a GP or naturopath and want to be a functional medicine practitioner, find out how to become a functional medicine practitioner here.
Integrative medicine is similar to functional medicine in some ways, however there are some distinct differences. Integrative medicine is more about a team of health practitioners supporting a patient in an integrated way - for example, a doctor working with a dietitian - to help a patient improve their health. However, they may still be working in a conventional way rather than looking at addressing a person holistically and seeking to find and treat the root cause of a health condition.
Functional medicine practitioners can work in an integrated way, and often do, working alongside psychologists, endocrinologists, neurologists and other specialist practitioners to bring resolution to health issues.
It is likely that a functional medicine doctor is a GP, however this is not always the case. For example, an endocrinologist could decide to train in functional medicine, and even though they’d technically be a functional medicine doctor, they’re likely to be working in an endocrinology clinic versus a general practice where you’d go to see a GP.
Integrative medicine is where healthcare providers work in an integrative way, for example, a doctor and dietitian working together to help improve their patient's overall health. However, they may still use conventional methods rather than taking a holistic approach, and looking for the root cause of a condition. This might mean that a patient makes some improvement, however may not fully resolve their health issue if there is an underlying root cause or contributing factor that hasn’t been investigated and addressed.
Functional medicine practitioners usually take an integrated approach as well, partnering with specialists like psychologists, endocrinologists, neurologists etc. to resolve issues. The difference is that functional medicine practitioners focus on identifying and treating the underlying causes of disease so that lasting positive health outcomes can be achieved.
At this stage, functional medicine isn’t covered by Medicare in Australia. However, a few private health insurers offer some rebates associated with other modalities that practitioners tend to be qualified for, such as naturopathy or nutrition. Speak to your health insurer for more information.
Find out how the practitioners at Melbourne Functional Medicine would approach your health issues and support you back to the healthiest version of you.