AC: Tell us what is functional medicine?
NG: Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of one's health issues, utilizing scientific systems-based approaches engaging the patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. The concentration is in the research and investigating of the underlying causes of disease to uncover the root of one's health issue. Functional medicine practitioners look at the complex web of interactions of one's medical history, lifestyle and physiology that can lead to illness. Utilizing the latest functional medicine laboratory testing provides an integrative, science-based healthcare approach in creating a customized regime for the patient to reach optimal balanced health. Imagine gaining insight into one's cellular metabolic functioning allowing individual tailoring of nutritional interventions as opposed to guessing and taking any supplement!
What do we need to watch out for now winter is approaching?
Remember to make your health and wellbeing a priority. The most powerful determinant of whether or not you will get sick this winter depends on the status of your immune system. To strengthen our immune system we must consume nutrient-dense foods, reduce toxins (i.e. food additives, processed foods, pesticides, tobacco, excess alcohol, sugar), get adequate sleep, incorporate stress reduction strategies and stay hydrated with pure water. Since many people are deficient in Vitamin D and majority cannot gain significant exposure to sunshine and absorb Vitamin D during the winter months, then it is important to incorporate an immune boosting nutraceutical regime including Vitamin D, non-corn sourced Vitamin C, probiotics, and immune boosting herbs. Listen to your body and realize when you need to rest as opposed to running yourself into adrenal fatigue and burnout.
What are three tips to make our holidays more healthy and holistic this year?
Three tips to make the holidays more healthy and holistic this year:
1. Keep your energy up by eating wholesome foods, adding superfoods like spirulina and a customized nutraceutical protocol, reducing sugar intake, and staying hydrated. Bite for bite, organic whole foods provide the most nutrients, so avoid processed fast foods. Choose immune boosting foods like vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, herbs, spices, and healthy lean proteins. Reduce or avoid all the white starches that convert into sugar, such as pasta. white bread, white rice, and white potatoes. Drinking sufficient amounts of pure water will help improve one's health. Alcohol causes dehydration and has depressive effects throughout one's nervous system, but organically produced red wine is considered to improve blood circulation and contain antioxidant properties. Remember to drink extra water if drinking alcoholic beverages and opt for organic and drink in moderation.
2. Keep your stress down by incorporating non-negotiable 'you' time, pamper yourself with a massage, Reiki, reflexology, meditation, exercise, and journaling. Slow down and enjoy the holiday season. Treat yourself to a relaxing Epsom salts bath with essential oils of lavender, geranium, lemon citrus and sandalwood. Essential oils are a wonderful way to manage stress during the holidays.
3. Follow a healthy detoxification regime by starting the day with pure water, squeezed lemon and splash of apple cider vinegar. The lemon and apple cider vinegar will help balance your pH levels keeping your body alkaline, boosting immune functioning and providing increased energy. Apple cider vinegar can also help control your appetite and regulate your blood sugar levels. This daily morning drink will help eliminate internal toxins, regulate kidney and digestive tract functioning, help fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throat and inflammation. Additionally, the lemon water will provide your body with electrolytes hydrating you with potassium, calcium and magnesium. Perfect, just in case you had too many of liquid holiday cheer or caffeine.
How have you created a holistic and healthy space in your kitchen and home?
Creating a holistic and healthy space in your kitchen and home can be achieved by setting the ambiance along with family traditions. Lighting sets the mood throughout a home, so add some candles, strands of white lights, and tea lights to brighten one's mood. Streaming in a little holiday cheer with music will get everyone in the holiday spirit. You can create kitchen, dining and living spaces centered on healthy living empowering your guests with food that is healthy, tasty and fun to eat! First, I'd recommend de-cluttering the area, bringing vitality and peace of mind. Make the kitchen's purpose centered around preparing healthy meals in a relaxing, bonding atmosphere as opposed to microwave-zapped meals. Display the food in festive, creative dishes sparking elegance and comfort. Clean the rooms with essential oils (bergamot is antibacterial) and eco-friendly cleaners or keep it simple with old fashioned baking soda, and white distilled vinegar. To enhance rooms with the perfect blend of sweet and spice aroma, combine essential oils of orange citrus, cinnamon, ylang ylang and lemon citrus. Diffused frankincense sets a mood of familiarity and recollection of happy memories of holiday time. Load up the refrigerator with organic food that is free of pesticides and toxins. Let the food provide the best aroma and homemade desserts to balance out the holiday fun. Just like a wedding, I always have something old, something new and something borrowed when celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Creating your own holiday traditions make you feel truly alive and creates the best everlasting memories.
by Anjie Cho
