The way most doctors practice medicine right now isn’t working. Medical students are trained to see the body as a collection of isolated parts instead of one whole system. The ensuing move toward medical specialization—organizing medicine by organs and diseases, by location and symptoms—is flawed and, as a result, modern medicine is at a breaking point. Not only does this hyper-focused approach to medicine dehumanize patients but is also ratchets up health care costs. We know, for instance, that medical specialists hospitalize more patients, write more prescriptions, and order more tests than primary care physicians. However, more spending rarely equates to better patient outcomes.
I know because that was how I was trained. In medical school, my classmates and I learned how to diagnose diseases and assign standardized treatments no matter who was suffering. I was taught to see the body as a set of symptoms, not one large system. Part of my training was learning how to refer patients to cardiologists for heart problems, gastroenterologists for stomach issues, and rheumatologists for joint pain. Given that most physicians were trained this way, it’s no wonder that the average Medicare patient has six doctors and is on five different medications.
What I now know is that the key to good medicine is seeing the whole patient instead of just a collection of broken parts. My approach is called functional medicine. Functional medicine is not a new modality, specialty or technique. Practicing functional medicine means thinking about how the body’s systems are interconnected. Functional medicine is about moving beyond a superficial diagnosis and discovering the root cause of illness. In functional medicine, we want to answer the question “Why?, not just “What is the right drug for this disease?”
This is what I did with Evelyn. Evelyn came to see me after suffering a decade of health problems. In 10 years, she’d seen 12 doctors and been diagnosed with 29 different diseases. Her list of ills included pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, food addiction, migraines, depression, PMS, infertility, irritable bowel, reflux, asthma, allergies and even psoriasis. By the time she saw me, Evelyn had a different specialist for every inch of her body. With that many doctors at her disposal, she should have been the healthiest person on the planet, but instead she was overweight, overwhelmed, and overmedicated.
My approach was different. As a functional medical practitioner, I look at the whole person, not the disease. I’ve spent the greater part of my career studying the root causes of chronic illness. There are more than 12,000 diseases known to medicine, but there is only one Evelyn. Instead of thinking about her as a hodgepodge of 29 different diagnoses, I shifted the paradigm. I looked at what might be throwing her body out of balance.
The body maintains balance in only a handful of ways. At the end of the day, disease occurs when these basic systems are out of whack. The human body is very resilient yet its systems are derailed by VERY few things namely TOO MUCH of things that detract from health—bad food, bad bugs, toxins, allergens and stress—and TOO FEW of those things that promote good health—whole foods, water, air, light, rest, movement, sleep, rhythm, connection, love, meaning and purpose. (For more information on the seven fundamental systems in your body that can get out of balance, see The Blood Sugar Solution).
If I could figure out how to help Evelyn get her body back in balance, her diseases would largely take care of themselves. The tests revealed three major systemic challenges. First, Evelyn was allergic to wheat, which was creating low-grade inflammation in her body as well as damaging her thyroid. Secondly, she had an unhealthy level of bad bacteria in her gut that were contributing to her fatigue and weight gain. Finally, she lived in Minnesota and the lack of sunshine, especially in the winter months, led to a severe vitamin D deficiency. Between her gut, her hormones, and her immune system, Evelyn had roughly three basic systems we needed to address. In short order, I got her off wheat, treated her thyroid, and gave her high doses vitamin D. Six weeks later Evelyn was symptom free and had lost a whopping 21 pounds. The key was getting her body’s basic systems back in working order.
A similar paradigm shift—away from seeing patients as a collection of various diseases and toward recognizing the foundational systems that organize a person’s health and wellbeing—is what’s needed to pull the healthcare system back from the brink. Placing too much emphasis on a yes/no diagnosis, meaning you either have a disease or you don’t, can lead even the most well meaning physicians to miss underlying causes and early warning signs of illness. And that’s where the real skill lies—in identifying red flags before they lead to disease. With this approach, you may never need to see a specialist again! We need doctors who can connect the dots and treat your whole system, not just the symptoms.
To learn more please see The Blood Sugar Solution. Get one book or get two and give one to someone you love – you might be saving their life. When you purchase the book from this link you will automatically receive access to the following special bonuses:
- Special Report—Diabetes and Alzheimer’s: The Truth About “Type 3 Diabetes” and How You Can Avoid It.
- More Delicious Recipes: 15 Additional Ways to Make The Blood Sugar Solution as Tasty as It’s Healthy!
- Dr. Hyman’s UltraWellness Nutrition Coaching – FREE for 30 days!
- Hour 1 of The Blood Sugar Solution Workshop DVD
Now I’d like to hear from you…
Does your doctor just treat your symptoms?
Are you seeing more than one physician for different ailments?
Do you see yourself as one interconnected system?
Please leave your thoughts by adding a comment below.
To your good health,
Mark Hyman, MD
Thank you for putting a name to how I feel!!! I’ve always thought about functional medicine never knew
therer was a name for it. I was diagnosed with celiac almost three years ago. I haven’t felt well for most of the three years. I just found your facebook page and it was like finally someone who believes all my symptoms are connected. I started a treatment for candida a few days ago and feel great. I’m so irritated with traditional doctors. I live in Nebraska and don’t think there is a doctor that practices functional medicine so will have to use the internet. Thanks again!!
My sister owns her own health food store and since 2003 she has helped me get my myasthenia under control, taught me so much that I could probably run my own health food business. I hear a lot about the thyroid and i have been to hell and back trying to loose weight knowing i have a thyroid issue. But most recently, I ended up slipping into a depression, my jaw felt like some one socked me one , i always had a tickle in my throat, and my neck felt so swollen It felt like someone was choking me. and I gained 15 pounds in one month from the sugar cravings that were popping out of my brain. Once i realized that it was my thyroid and that the eltroxin was not working I started on a natural product called thyroid plus. within 24 hours the tickle in my throat was gone, my jaw felt less painful and my neck felt less swollen I have been on this for 5 weeks now and I feel 80% better, I stilll feel depressed but not as bad as bad as i was for those 3 months and i have not lost any weight even though i no longer crave sweets or salt. Natural is the best way, I have more than enough doctors since i was sixteen, and no matter who looks at me they all blamed my myasthenia gravis. hmmm funny because i nuerologists says i am doing fine and I finally got a doctor to fix my eye and again my eye turning in had nothing to do with my MG. I have no faith in Doctors. I can only say Thank God my GP is open to natural healing
Your posts are so interesting. I want to just sit and read your articles all day. I have had Interstitial Cystitis for 6 years(and a flare the last year on and off) and also was diagnosed with H Pylori last summer. Diet has been the biggest help with both of these issues, but when I was diagnosed with either of these illnesses, neither my urologist at the time, nor my gastro doctor ever mentioned diet. I had to find out on my own(with the help of the good Lord). I surely didn’t want to take the triple antibiotic treatment for the H Pylori especially since the doctor informed me that it might not rid my body of the bug anyway. Why would I want to put my body through that kind of torture? I’m so glad to hear an MD step out of the box from prescriptions. And a big AMEN to the idea of treating the whole patient and not farming out body parts to all the specialists.
Hi Dr. Hyman. Your article and viewpoints hit home on many issues that my clients and friends have or had. The concepts can be applied to personal training, sports coaching, and physical therapy. For example, if a person can perform a deep squat, yet he cannot do a lunge with his left leg in the front, can we assume that it is a muscle or joint problem–even though the same muscles are used? If the glutes are weak and the left ankle is tight, then why is that he can do the squat which requires the same movement of ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and hip flexion? Thus, biomechanics and anatomy themselves do not answer this question of “Why?” We can give hundreds of examples with this concept.
Sometimes one has to consider three factors in exercise programing:
1) Does the person have a mobility or stability issue?
2) Has the person earn the right to move more complex patterns if he or she has is still having trouble with the basics?
3) Does the exercise or program improve movement competency?
Thanks for sharing, Doc. Looking forward to share more ideas.
~Nick
Dr. Hyman,
I am a pre-med student, and I too am a fan of “functional medicine”. Do you have any recommendations for medical schools that are starting to go down this road?
My husband, Dave, has been treated by many doctors to try and deal with his fatigue & fogginess that he feels in his forehead/sinus area. He is not overweight at all, in great shape. His cholosterol is a bit high, but has always been over 200 even when he was in college & was a wrestler. He says his symptoms are like having a sinus infection that never goes away. He started to have intense symptoms about 10 yrs. ago. He would be tired all the time & all he wanted to do was sleep. It has affected his/our quality of life. In the past 10 yrs, he has gone on the journey to find out what was going on with this feeling of fogginess and sometimes very intense fatigue. His general practitioner had him on anti-depressants, which didn’t help him & only caused problems. He has tried acupuncture. He was told by a specialist that he had a deviated septum & had surgery, that didn’t solve his problem. He was told that he has mild sleep apnea & used the C-Pap for about 6 months, didn’t relieve the symptoms. He tried a cleansing program, which didn’t relieve any of the fogginess, etc. He has fasted only water for 5 days without any results, he has fasted dairy for about 10 days with any results. He is still searching for an answer. My husband’s mother has RA for about 17 years. I happened to come across your article about being gluten sensitive. I saw in the article the relationship between gluten and RA too. I suggested to Dave that we eliminate gluten from our diet.
Our church is doing a Daniel Fast for 10 days, which is a bit like a vegan diet with more restrictions (no leavened bread, no added sugars, only water to drink). So, I suggested to Dave that we take it a step further and go gluten free too. We are on day 8. We are going to do this for 21 days and hopefully he will feel a difference. What are your thoughts on this?
After an injury to my spine, I was prescribed the following medications (at the same time), I have listed the strength, dosage and what I’ve ascertained they were prescribed for from sites such as WebMD and Wikipedia: (during the time I was taking this medication I have severe memory loss and have since stopped taking all of them)
Trazodone – 50 mg 1x/day: anti-depressant
(note on website states: “tell your doctor if you have bi-polar disorder”….. three of the following medications are prescribed to treat bi-polar disorder….)
Aricept – 5 mg 1x/day: alzheimers (mild to moderate); also mild cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, ADD
Lorazepam – .5 3x/day: Anxiety, ADHD, Bi-polar, withdrawal from alcohol abuse
Oxycarbazen – 75 mg – a.m.; 150 mg – p.m.: treatment of epilepsy and Bi-polar disorder
Risperidone – 1 mg – a.m.; 2 mg – p.m.: Schizophrenia and Bi-polar (Note on web site: Not for use in psychotic conditions relating to dementia)
Ahh, if ONLY I could find a doctor like you who would treat me as a whole person!!! :’( Almost impossible to find.
Dr. Hyman, you’re missing the real problem with modern medicine. It isn’t just how doctors are trained. It’s also that our health care system follows a fee-for-service model. Sure, doctors can claim that they order unnecessary tests to protect themselves against malpractice lawsuits. But what they forget to mention is that they make more money that way. If I had to go to 4 years of college, another 4 years of med school, and spend 3-12 more years doing residency and fellowships only to end up with a mountain if debt, of course I’d go into some high paying specialty. There’s just too much financial incentive for doctors to prescribe drugs, order tests, and recommend procedures. Why tell a patient to cut out sugar and dairy to cure their acne when you can put them on Accutane instead? Why tell a patient to eliminate grains to lower their cholesterol when you can put them on Lipitor instead? So much of today’s health problems can be traced to diet. And yet very little of a doctor’s training deals with nutrition. I’m proud to say I have 0 doctors and am on 0 prescription medications. Every health issue I’ve had I was able to cure on my own through diet. Folks like me are bad for business. Think of where our health care costs would be if people followed the principles laid out by Dr. Hyman.
O doctors may not be the best choice, but perhaps a Naturopathic Doctor would be better suited to this individual. Because Naturopathic Doctors, unlike Naturopathic Physicians, want nothing to do with drugs or invasive procedures their training is less expensive and they can afford to do the things mentioned above. Now the American Naturopathic Medical Association has a board certification program to identify those Naturopaths that are deemed competent. Their cost of education is not $140,000 like Naturopathic Physicians so they can afford to practice the complete naturopathic approach. But all those trained in Naturopathic and Allopathic medicine are needed if America’s health is to reverse its downward trend and individuals need to start paying close attention to their diet, lifestyle and exercise. If not diabetes, heart disease and cancer among others will continue to increase. When the next generation is not going to outlive the present generation you know medicine is headed in the wrong direction and a nationally funded and bureaucraticly supervised national health care system is part of the problem, not the answer.
Just like AK,can say and am proud of it,I do not take any prescription medication and/or over the counter drug.I will be 71 years old next may.I do not claim to know everything but to have a general idea about diet and lifestyle that promotes health,I do not mind growing old,as long as I am healthy.
When we place profits above everything else,we get in trouble for sure.
Efrain.
To AK: As a physician, I can tell you that, contrary to your expressed belief, neither I nor the vast majority of independently practicing physicians have any connection, financial or otherwise, to pharmacies or testing laboratories and therefore do Not have any financial incentive to prescribe unnecessary medicines or tests. If from your life experiences you have become so cynical as to believe that most physicians are aware of effective natural treatments yet knowingly withhold them to deliberately keep you sick so you’ll keep coming back so that they can make more money, then that is truly unfortunate.
You are correct that surgeons do have a financial incentive to recommend surgery, yet I know that I, and I believe that vast majority (but not all, unfortunately) of surgeons are ethical and only perform necessary surgery.
You are also correct that physicians receive inadequate training in nutrition and that diet plays an enormous part in wellness and disease. However you are incorrect to believe that proper diet alone can cure all diseases.
I came across Dr. Hyman by accident while seeking help for a vaccine injury. I had initially taken the traditional medicine path, which almost ended my life. What began my life saving and changing journey was Functional Medicine! If not for Dr. Hyman and the knowledge I gained from him I would not be here right now. I am a Mental Health Practitioner and share what I have learned, and continue to, with my patients and eveveryone I meet. Our lives are in our hands and we all need to find physicians who seeks the truth and answers even if it brings them outside of traditional medicine, and ones that will WORK WITH US on our health. I literally owe my life to Functional Medicine.
Wow-this article speaks volumes to what I have been going through for past 6-7 years. I just fired my third endocrinologist because I will not tolerate being- just another # and have my symptoms be dismissed. I have learned that I am my best advocate and it’s hard to find a Dr that will actually care if they are helping me heal & get better. I have been to a couple of functional medicine doctors as well but I have a bit of an overwhelming case. I have had a complete hysterectomy 6 years ago, I have hypothyroidism an adrenal gland issues so I am not the “typical” patient. I have read your book and have began implementing some of the changes. I also found a neuroendocrinologists that is trying to treat all of my symptoms-one at a time but helping to balance everything. I hope to finally begin my journey to better health & healing. Thank you for all that you do to fight for us!
After an extremely stressful 25 years with a job for 6 years with new family, 13 corporate moves, dealing with binge drinker, keeping my children safe and motivated in new schools with bullies, I ended up with 256/158 blood pressure. I am on lisinipril. I always exercise and always have. My diet hasn’t always been good but I love raw vegetables and lean meats. I feel broken, run down, and have steadily had worse back pain starting 10 years ago. in the last 3 years I have had 3 operations for fibrous cyst size of grapefruit (hysterectomy), partial knee replacement (was training for 10 mile run race), and calcified lumps in my low back thought to be contributing to pain, and I am on prescription prilosec becasue of a uncontrollable cough. I have had three shots in my si joints since dec. 2011 that help but not much. i take celebrex. I just got diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis yesterday, the same day your book arrived on my doorstep. I don’t want to take this Enbrel shot for pain. It has very scary side effects. I’m scared to death and don’t know what to do, or where to turn. But my pain is interfering with my daily life in every way. I am 5’7″ 170 lbs. I walk 4-6 miles every day. I can barely tolerate the pain but grit my teeth to get thru it. I want to try your diet but don’t know if it will resolve this arthritis autoimmune issue which I am shocked I have. I am scared of a crippling future. I don’t know what I would do without exercise. It’s the only thing that makes me feel good in the head.
As someone with an autoimmune illness, I have noticed two things about traditional treatment: 1) Rheumatologists are the biggest drug-pushers, because it’s ALL they have to offer. My last experience involved me telling a new one up front that I wasn’t there for meds, just to have yearly testing to make sure no silent processes were occurring. He haughtily said, “Well maybe you don’t need a rheumatologist.” Indeed. So I no longer see one. 2) Specialists see such a small part of the elephant, often to the complete exclusion of other parts. For example: “Here, take this Prednisone to stop the disease from damaging your kidneys.” Never mind the fact that at age 30 tests showed borderline osteoporosis…
Dr.Hyman,
So true. I’ve gone through the “see a specialist” routine and wish I could find a good holistic doc in the Denver Metro area. Any suggestions? Insurance is always a factor.
Hi Robin,
Thank you for your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutritionn Coaching Program
We did fire our specialists! My 4 year old son suffered from chronic illness, severe reflux, social skills and severe behavioral challenges and eating issues. I finally took him to a GI specialist when our pediatrition could no longer treat the reflux and the GI docootr recommended several thousands of dollars worth of tests. I said and these tests will tell us what is causing the relfux? He looked at me with a strange look and said no, they will tell us how bad it is and what medications to use. I immediately left and could not believe he had no interest whatsoever in fiding the root cause. Shortly thereafter, when I was at my witt’s end with my son’s behavioal issues, I began to research and found a defeat autism now nutritionist. He was not diagnosed with Autism but was with oppositional defiant disorder and ADHD and the treaments is often the same. Thank Heaven for this doctor. We discovered my son was allergic to wheat and dairy and had basically no immune system and some of the worst heavy metal poisoning the doctor had ever seen. Within six months of treatment with diet and supplements including our miracle Glutathione, he began to behave as a normal child. All of his chronic illnesses and reflux are gone. Behavioral issues are rare and social skills continue to improve. He is no longer hyperactive and now is productive throughtout the day. In the past He just jumped on furniture for several hours per day. We will never go back to traditional medicine!
When I wasn’t feeling well and went to various specialists, each found something dramatically wrong with me in their specialty. What’s the Mark Twain line? To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. And it all seemed crazy because I wasn’t feeling that bad. Ultimately, I found a family physician who is also an ayurvedic doctor. She saw me as a whole person and was able to sort out the root cause of what I was feeling. With a change of diet, herbal formulas and vitamins, I feel as good as I ever have.
I too am looking for a doctor to treat me as a whole person. I am only 42 years old, but I have 12 different for specialists for neurological issues,chronic pancreatitis, raynauds, psoriasis, mouth ulcers, chronic sinusitis, GERD, fatigue, fatty liver, asthma, etc. No doctor has been able to give me a whole body diagnosis to address the diverse inflammation in my body. I believe if I could find a whole body doctor, I would be fixed and able to have an active life.
I love to exercise. But every time I begin an exercise regime, I get sick and end up in bed for weeks. I also had to give up my legal career. It is very frustrating.
Hi Leah,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns. To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Dr Hyman,
I received a heart transplant in July of 2009. I’ve had a great recovery, but have side effects from my meds. My
transplant team lives in a bubble – the transplant bubble. I am taking prograf, hydrochlorothiazide and prednisone.
I have had a great deal of hair loss, I believe because of the prograf. I also have intestinal problems, variable loose
stools,random diarrhea, and my stomach feels bloated.
I exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. I’ve recently cut back
on flour products and sugars. I’m overweight and sometimes think my large stomach is just that – fat, but not sure.
My bad cholesterol tends to run a little high. My transplant team insists that I take a statin. But after a few months
on simvistatin, my blood sugar was high, because of the statin in my opinion. So I’ve stopped taking the statin, but
will be in big trouble with my transplant team if I tell them.
I’ve started taking B Complex and Zinc because I’ve read testimony from Prograf users that it helps with the hair loss.
I also take Vitamin C and D, and Calcium/Magnesium and Omega 3 supplements.
I want to feel as good as I can, but sometimes think that this is just the price I have to pay for my new heart.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you so much.
Hi Becky,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns with us. We sympathize greatly with what you have been through. In order to provide you the proper care you need we hope you will seek the attention of a local qualified Functional Med practitioner soon. To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
Or,to make an appointment at Dr. Hyman’s UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA please go to: http://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com/becoming-a-patient/ When you are finished reading through the material you may call the office at After you have reviewed this, please contact our office to make an appointment. By phone, (413) 637-9991; by email, office@ultrawellnesscenter.com
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
How do I find a doctor with your philosophy? I moved to Phoenix about 7 years ago. I have gone through a lot of stomach pain issues over the years and the doctors that I had seen always came to the conclusion that an organ needed to be removed (appendix then gallbladder). After the issues continued they concluded that I was just having panic attacks and prescribed head medicine. After working with a natural doctor (in Seattle area), we narrowed it down to food allergy and nutrient deficiency. I really felt great. Then this summer the symptoms began to retun. I found a md/naturopath and visited him. Each visit he charged me for md and naturopath fee…. That was expensive. He never looked in my throat but manged to touch my boobs twice. Needless to say i wasn’t too impressed. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll take as good a care of myself as I can. Then will let nature take its course. I am so disillusioned with the medical community.
Hi Jill,
We are sorry for your troubles with previous Doctors and hope you do not allow that inappropriate care stop you from seeking quality medical attention. To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Hello,
I just wrote last night on your FB page inquiring if you have a national list of functional medicine doctors. I love that this was in my inbox this morning!
Is there a source to search doctors on par with your ideas/ethics? I searched your website but couldn’t find what I was hoping would be there.
I couldn’t agree more with the idea of treating the whole person rather than just a symptom. As a health coach, I work with a lot of clients who are starting to see the big picture in terms of health and health care and how interconnected things are. To support them on their journey, I want to be able to recommend functional medicine as an option.
Can we just clone you Dr. Hyman!?
Thanks for all the brilliant work!
Hi Ashley,
Thank you for your interest and support of Dr. Hyman’s work. To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
In 1997 I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. In January of 1998 I had to have my thyroid removed (all but what covered the parathyroid). 8 months later, RAI because I was still over producing. I am 39 now and have been to many doctors to be told the same ‘ol same ‘ol, it is all in your head, here is some antidepressants, yada, yada! Well, the last 5 or so years, my symptoms have been getting worse. I am on Adderall and Welbutrin just to get through the day. I can (and have) slept 15 hrs straight consecutive nights in a row. No energy, muscle fatigue, yo yo TSH (very hypo to very hyper with only 25mcg change), high BP (3 strokes before high BP) high cholesterol, VERY forgetful!! I can not lose weight no matter what I do, if I do lose anything I will gain it back in a week because my thyroid messes up again. Apparently my body is very sensitive to this medication and changes I make. Anyway, I can not find a doctor anywhere that will treat or find my cause and not my symptoms. I have found one that will listen and will do things I ask her to, but, she is not at all knowledgeable in this area. I seem to know more than she does. Can you help me find a doctor that is like you in my area? I am in Spartanburg, SC and the only Dr I have found is not taking new patients right now. I am at a total loss! I know I can feel better if I have the correct treatment I just don’t know where to turn! Thanks for your time and input.
Hi Kelli,
Thank you for reaching out. We hope you find the local care you need:
To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Dr.Hyman,you are so right about the teaching of medicine.The pharmaceutical industry is happy to have it this way,it helps to sell drugs.I am reading a book about vitamin C,there was a farmer in New Zealand who was in coma and now is alive thanks to iv administration of vit C and we all can benefit taking this vitamin that is safe and cost less than the drugs.I am a retired dentist and unfortunately dental schools are making the same mistake,we learn how to repair teeth but very little about nutrition and prevention of oral problems.
God bless you and I hope that many other doctors will follow your steps to end this madness in our health system.
Efrain.
Dr. Hyman understands the situation very well. I largely wasted five years on the conventional health system until I began dealing with a practitioner of functional medicine in1997 and started doing my own research in earnest. At this point, I had had 43 symptoms, and was feeling terrible. Recognizing that I had candidiasis, I began treating this naturally and quickly found that functional medicine practitioner who had also had this condition. I had begun an anti-candida diet initially on my own (eliminating sugar and wheat, etc.) after reading Dr. William Crook’s “The Yeast Connection” and started feeling very much better after a one-week “die-off” reaction associated with a high dose of garlic supplements. Associated with this soon after, I introduced a “natural-foods Zone diet”, the Zone balancing based on Dr. Barry Sears’ books, “The Zone”, etc., quickly followed by a metabolic typing diet gleaned from the book “Your Body Knows Best”, by Ann Louise Gittleman.
Unfortunately, this initial progress didn’t last although some of the symptoms remained abated. In late 1998 my practitioner discovered that I had a severe case of mercury and lead poisoning. As a result, I began having my amalgam fillings replaced by a biological dentist, and this was completed by early 2000. After a very bad experience with an exceedingly low test dose of one chelation drug at that point, I began looking around for another suitable detoxification approach. After about six months of somewhat worsening symptoms, typical after having mercury amalgams safely replaced, my symptoms began abating further, but the major ones remained (e.g., chronic adrenal fatigue, cold extremities, etc.). Recognizing that all chelation and some other detoxification approaches could be detrimental for one group of patients without sufficient care, I continued looking around for something better. Finally, by late 2004 I was confident enough to begin far-infrared sauna therapy recommended by my two functional physicians. However, after another chance discovery while investigating far-infrared saunas, I began using the inexpensive but apparently powerfully-beneficial far-visible, near-infrared type of sauna developed by Dr. Lawrence Wilson (http://www.drlwilson.com/ ), with occasional later supplementation by additional far-infrared elements. After two years of sauna therapy twice a day, along with coffee enemas once a day, a number of my symptoms abated further, but the major one’s and a number of the lesser ones still remained.
In the initial process of checking out Dr. Wilson’s references in his book “Sauna Therapy” at the start of my therapy, however, I eventually accidentally acquired Dr. Michael Holick’s book, “The UV Advantage”. With my radio physics and climatology background, I quickly realized that I was vitamin-D deficient and probably had been for 15 years, since I had begun wearing long-sleeve shirts and avoiding the sun somewhat in 1990 based on the advice of the specialist dermatology community. Once I had begun getting adequate sunlight in the spring of 2005, and boosted my oral vitamin-D intake in subsequent cold seasons, my symptoms abated further. Meanwhile, I had made other improvements to diet, etc. Although introducing dry skin brushing by 1997 (i.e., lymphatic drainage) had allowed me to deal in minutes with the “painful fatigue” I had felt on awakening after sleeps from which I never felt completely rested, it wasn’t until about three years ago that I finally found that natural garlic in place of supplemented garlic finally got rid of this fatigue on awakening. Pretty clearly I had helped deal with an infection issue that was also present.
Meanwhile, I had begun doing epidemiological research on the side after a discovery associated with my own research background. In 2007, I retired to do this full time. In November 2010, I came across a link to Dr. Stephen Sinatra’s talk at David Wolfe’s “Longevity Now Conference” (http://www.thelongevitynowconference.com/dr-stephen-sinatra-grounding-heal.html ). Because of my background and further study of the “earthing” literature ), I recognized that I was “electron deficient”, since I had been walking around in rubber-soled shoes for decades and only going barefoot for short periods in the warm months. After starting to use an electrically-grounded bedsheet and footpad, etc. that same month, my chronic adrenal fatigue of 18 years disappeared within days, as did my cold extremities. Pretty clearly with the latter, my circulation had improved enough for this to occur. After hooking myself up to an electrical ground the first time (initially a lamp cord attached to the grounded screw on an electrical faceplate, with the bared wires at the other end tucked into my sock, but without the safety resistor in the proper earthing products!), I noticed my body relaxing within five minutes. I was very much attuned to this feeling of relaxation, having introduced meditation in 1976 and Reiki in about 2002 with some considerable benefit. The “earthing” approach, in fact, felt like doing Reiki on myself continuously, and after the very first night using it, I slept better than at any time in many years. After more nights of such sleeps and a greater feeling of relaxation, I recognized that I had finally much better balanced my apparent sympathetic-dominant autonomic nervous system. Over succeeding months, my degree of relaxation and freedom from excessive stress has gradually improved further.
At this point, all my major symptoms have gone, as have virtually all of the smaller ones. I could never have got here without the help of three excellent functional physicians, in particular, about 13 other family members, colleagues, and friends, and numerous scientists and common people from various natural-health-oriented communities. I finally feel free from the major causes of diseases of civilization to more confidently deal with a much larger epidemiological story. Stay tuned!
Slightly more cautious revised version
Dr. Hyman understands the situation very well, and I congratulate him for his important work. I largely wasted five years on the conventional health system until I began dealing with a practitioner of functional medicine in1997 and started doing my own research in earnest. At this point, I had had 43 symptoms, and was feeling terrible. Recognizing that I probably had candidiasis, I began treating this naturally and quickly found that functional medicine practitioner who had also had this condition. I had begun an anti-candida diet initially on my own (eliminating sugar and wheat, etc.) after reading Dr. William Crook’s “The Yeast Connection” and started feeling very much better after a one-week apparent “die-off” reaction, apparently associated with a high dose of garlic supplements. Associated with this soon after, I introduced a “natural-foods Zone diet”, the Zone balancing based on Dr. Barry Sears’ books, “The Zone”, etc., quickly followed by a metabolic typing diet gleaned from the book, “Your Body Knows Best”, by Ann Louise Gittleman.
Unfortunately, this initial progress didn’t last although some of the symptoms left or remained abated. In late 1998 my practitioner discovered that I had a severe case of mercury and lead poisoning. As a result, I began having my amalgam fillings replaced by my excellent biological dentist, and this was completed by early 2000. After a very bad experience with an exceedingly low test dose of one chelation drug at that point, I began looking around for another suitable detoxification approach. After about six months of somewhat worsening symptoms, apparently typical after having mercury amalgams safely replaced, my symptoms began abating further, but the major ones remained (e.g., chronic adrenal fatigue, cold extremities, never feeling entirely rested after sleep, etc.). Recognizing that all chelation and some other detoxification approaches could be detrimental for one group of patients without sufficient care, I continued looking around for something better. Finally, by late 2004 I was confident enough to begin far-infrared sauna therapy recommended by my two functional physicians. However, after another chance discovery while investigating far-infrared saunas, I began using the inexpensive but apparently powerfully-beneficial far-visible, near-infrared type of sauna developed by Dr. Lawrence Wilson (http://www.drlwilson.com/ ), with occasional later supplementation by additional far-infrared elements. After two years of sauna therapy twice a day, along with coffee enemas once a day, a some of my symptoms left or abated further, but the major ones and a number of the lesser ones still remained.
In the initial process of checking out Dr. Wilson’s references in his book “Sauna Therapy” at the start of my therapy, however, I eventually accidentally acquired Dr. Michael Holick’s book, “The UV Advantage”. With my radio physics and climatology background, I quickly realized that I was vitamin-D deficient and probably had been for 15 years, since I had begun wearing long-sleeve shirts and avoiding the sun somewhat in 1990 based on the advice of the specialist dermatology community. Once I had begun getting adequate sunlight in the spring of 2005, and boosted my oral vitamin-D intake in subsequent cold seasons, other symptoms abated further. Meanwhile, I had made other improvements to diet, etc. Although introducing dry skin brushing by 1997 (i.e., lymphatic drainage) had allowed me to deal in minutes with the “painful fatigue” I had felt on awakening after sleeps from which I never felt completely rested, it wasn’t until about three years ago that I finally found that natural garlic in place of supplemented garlic finally got rid of this fatigue on awakening. Apparently I had helped deal with an infection issue that was also present.
Meanwhile, I had begun doing epidemiological research on the side after a discovery associated with my own research background. In 2007, I retired to do this full time. In November 2010, I came across a link to Dr. Stephen Sinatra’s talk at David Wolfe’s “Longevity Now Conference” (http://www.thelongevitynowconference.com/dr-stephen-sinatra-grounding-heal.html ). Because of my background and further study of the “earthing” literature ), I recognized that I was probably “electron deficient”, since I had been walking around in rubber-soled shoes for decades and only going barefoot for short periods in the warm months. After starting to use an electrically-grounded bedsheet and footpad, etc. that same month, my chronic adrenal fatigue of 18 years disappeared within days, as did my cold extremities. Apparently with the latter, my circulation had improved enough for this to occur. After hooking myself up to an electrical ground the first time (initially a lamp cord attached to the grounded screw on an electrical faceplate, with the bared wires at the other end tucked into my sock, but without the safety resistor in the proper earthing products!), I noticed my body relaxing within five minutes. I was very much attuned to this feeling of relaxation, having introduced meditation in 1976 and Reiki in about 2002 with some considerable benefit. The “earthing” approach, in fact, felt like doing Reiki on myself continuously, and after the very first night using it, I slept better than at any time in many years. After more nights of such sleeps and a greater feeling of relaxation, I recognized that I had finally much better balanced my apparent sympathetic-dominant autonomic nervous system. Over succeeding months, my degree of relaxation and freedom from excessive stress has gradually improved further.
At this point, all my major symptoms have gone, as have virtually all of the smaller ones. I could never have got here without the help of three excellent functional physicians, in particular, about 13 other family members, colleagues, and friends, and numerous scientists and common people from various natural-health-oriented communities. I finally feel free from the major causes of diseases of civilization to more confidently deal with a much larger epidemiological story. Stay tuned!
When I made an appointment for a long-overdue physical, they had me go to the lab for a blood draw a week ahead. Then when I saw the doctor, he would have all the answers before seeing me. Very efficient. So he spent 20 minutes with me and faxed in some prescriptions from his handy little laptop. Slam, bam, glad you’ve got insurance.
The doctor’s concerns were my slightly elevated glucose level and my slightly high (~240) cholesterol, everything else was fine. He didn’t prescribe anything for diabetes, thank God, but he put me back on a statin. Apparently he doesn’t know that statins can actually lead to high blood glucose or add to it.
I started looking at the lab report and saw that he didn’t think to have my blood insulin level checked, nor did they check my CRP level. This is what I’d call “non-functional” medicine.
Oh, and the cardiologist I saw a few years back had me on a blood thinner, a full aspirin a day and lisinopril, AND a statin. My blood wouldn’t clot when I got a scratch and my skin suddenly took on the appearance of an old man (I was 58) and got so thin it cut like wet tissue paper. If I had been in a motorcycle accident, I probably would have bled to death in the street but he did his job: I didn’t have a heart attack.
On top of the problem of conventional doctors answering everything with a prescription is the fact they don’t seem to be aware of ANY side-effects of those medicines. But I am so I’ve found natural alternatives to every one of them.
Owen
I just recently purchased The Blood Sugar Solution and I am awaiting the online companion. I am 61 years old and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 10 years ago. I began taking Metformin, which made me sick every day for approximately 2 years. Despite my complaints, my doctor told me all the other medications cause weight gain. Because I also have obesity, I continued with the medication. Heaven forbid, I should be on a medication that would cause me to gain weight. That scared me!!! Despite te fact that I began losing weight, my blood sugars would not go down. Subsequently, I began taking Byetta injections twice daily. Again, the medication made me ill. I have continued to take it for the past few years. I also have hypertension, for which I am taking three medications,Norvasc, Toprol and Benicar. I have lost about 80-85 lbs, but no improvement in my blood sugars. I was essentially told, I would have diabetes for the rest of my life and would be on medication. I would love to get off all the medications. I am looking forward to completing your program and I feel hopeful I can improve my overall health. I would love to visit your facility, but I live in California and the costs involved for a visit and evaluation is unaffordable.
Hi Helen,
Thank you for sharing a bit about your health concerns and goals. The program will help get you started on the right track for sure! And remember to visit the nutrition coaching portal for a more personalized experience regarding your food intake and meal plan. It is prudent that you work with a doctor, especially for the testing component of this program if your goal is to modify medications. We suggest you be under the care of a qualified practitioner who can oversee your progress. To locate a doctor near you in CA who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
I agree completely with Dr Hyman this is the correct approch to medicine and the human body. I have Diabesity and just started to read his book on The Blood Sugar Solution. I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally find something that brings me hope. I live in North West Illinois and need to find a new Doctor that practices medicine like Dr Hyman, any suggestion on how to find a new Doc?
Hi Bob,
Thank you for sharing a bit about your health concerns re: Diabesity. Reading the book is a great first step and don’t forget to hop on over for nutrition coaching where the nutrition team is waiting to serve your specific needs. To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Dr. Hyman, As a practicing cardiologist, I have found your research and synthesis of current knowledge to be invaluable in improving my health and the health of my wife. I have lost 15 lbs without “trying”, feel more energetic and rested despite a difficult and busy job. As we learn more in cardiology, we find that inflammation appears to be the missing link, connecting genetics and risk factors to the onset of clinical symptoms. Our American lifestyle generates this inflammation and disease. I have referred several patients, who seem open to change, to your website and hopefully they can change. It’s very difficult to try to mix “usual” medical care with new philosophy such as yours, but it can be done, and it should be done. I believe there is a place for the things we do in medicine. Our patients don’t need to dump their specialist, they need to question their doctor carefully and if the doctor can’t answer their concerns, then it’s time to look elsewhere. We can mix modern medicine with functional medicine, for the benefit of our patients. The current practice of medicine fosters failure. Primary MDs don’t come to the hospital any longer, we specialists don’t talk to primary care MDs and a coordinated care plan to address the roots of illness is lost. Hopefully, your synthesis will help us to change our practice, I look forward to being a part of this.
Hi Martin,
Thank you for your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work and your response. We look forward to your contributions!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Like many other people, I have been dealing with health issues for some time (prediabetes, high platelet counts, GI distress, syncope episodes, and severe back/neck pain). Unfortunately most of the conventional doctors I’ve been to just scratch their head and tell me they’re not sure what’s causing most of my issues. I’m no longer capable of maintaining a normal exercise program because the symptom of the day is preventing me from doing so. At this point I’m mostly functioning off of high doses of ibuprofen and hope that my kidneys are spared in the process. I’ve just recently stumbled upon Dr. Hyman’s website and fervently wish I could sign him up as my PCP. I’m just wondering if he’s compiled a list of other physicians in the country that are practicing functional medicine?
Hi Deb,
Thank you for sharing about your concerns-we hear you…Sounds like you could use the talent, compassion and skill of a functionla medicine practitioner to help you advance from that ibuprofen to get some real solutions to youy debilitating symptoms…To locate a doctor near you who practices functional medicine like Dr. Hyman, go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117 and scroll down to where it says “locate a practitioner” and enter your zip. Progress accordingly from there.
Or, to make an appointment at Dr. Hyman’s UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA please go to: http://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com/becoming-a-patient/ When you are finished reading through the material you may call the office at After you have reviewed this, please contact our office to make an appointment. By phone, (413) 637-9991; by email, office@ultrawellnesscenter.com
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
It seems that you are more about the money than the people. Thanx for the education to those who read your publications, but I am discouraged by your apparent priorities. I recommend to anyone who reads this Dr. Shanahan or Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. No axe to grind.
Hi Mary Anne,
Thank you for yuor interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. We apologize if our message was not communicated clearly. However Dr. Hyman is 100% committed to supporting the global community in health and honest healthcare. By no means is his intention to profit or to have his audience perceive his mission as financial gain. We hope you continue reading, exploring and learning about Dr. Hyman and the intention of Functional Medicine. We are excited to have curious minds like you get involved! Learn more by going here:http://www.takebackourhealth.org/
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
After years of being on and off SSRI’s I am finally fed up with traditional psychiatric medicine. It doesn’t make sense to me anymore that I am being treated like a collection of puzzle pieces and not a whole person. I feel God has me on a mission to find natural solutions to my anxiety and depression. Glad I found your site. So nice to find out I have not been crazy all of these years.
I’ve been following Dr. Hyman’s Blood Sugar Solution (Advanced) for 41 days. I have lost 16 pounds. And I am amazed at how wonderful I am eating. I use recipes in the BBS book and also the The Ultra Metabolism Cookbook. I have a blog up where I post these recipes so that I can share my experience with family and friends. I have been trying to lose weight since 2000 and have only gained instead of losing. It took me about 3 years to finally lose 8 pounds but now, after eliminating bread, sugar, pasta, fruits and sugary drinks I have lost consistently every week. I hope to be able to stop going to the heart doctor by next year! And stop taking all the heart medication that I am on now. I had a heart attack in 2010 but I feel confident that eating this way will make my heart healthier!!!
Visit my blog:
goodfoodbuzz.com
Dr. Hyman,
I’ve tried your ultramid solution (vitamin regiment, exercise, eating whole foods, relieving stress ect.), but I’m still have extreme difficulties sleeping. Lately, I’ve also been having mood swings. My doctor is entertaining the possibility that I am bi-polar. Do you have any suggestions? He’s given me a trazadone and ambien to sleep, neither of which I want to take. Seeking a natural remedy to y ailments. Any information you can give me would be appreciated.
Regards, Brent
Thank you for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Questions regarding medical conditions cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Dr. Hyman Staff
Thank you for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Questions regarding medical conditions cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Dr. Hyman Staff
Dr. Hyman,
I agree with your point of view of functional medicine. Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in Myrtle Beach, SC we are promoting the same idea. Check out our website on related topics. Keep the good work!
Dr. Akoury
How do I get doctors in my area that practice alternative medicine>
Thank you for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine website: http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Dr. Hyman Staff