In our Denver, CO functional medicine practice, we commonly order tests meant to dig deep into each patient’s personal risk profile, propensity for disease, and opportunities for better health. Sometimes patients who find they have a genetic risk factor for disease question whether there is anything they can do. The answer: while genes play a very important role in health, we all have the power to strongly influence our personal risks. With the guidance of a functional medicine practitioner at Tendwell, you can take concrete steps to vastly improve your long-term health outlook. In this blog, we address genetics, disease risk, and what you can do about it.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the cells in your body don't respond properly to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. When cells become insulin resistant, they don't effectively absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Over time, this can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and other health issues like cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, decreased muscle mass, hormonal concerns, obesity and even osteoporosis (low bone density).

Recently I gave a presentation discussing the intricate role of pharmaceuticals in modern healthcare, offering my functional medicine perspective about their benefits, limitations, potential interactions, and side effects. As more medications come to be prescribed for longer and longer, unexpected consequences may emerge. Certainly, I believe in using medicine when appropriate. There can be a synergy between traditional medicine and functional medicine approaches. But managing medication use should be done with more care than is commonly used by traditional medical practices. In our Denver functional medicine office, we take a deeper look at the potential interactions of medications, their long-term necessity, and many other factors.

Autoimmunity is a serious situation that affects millions of people worldwide. In this integrative medicine blog, we will explore the current understanding of autoimmunity, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Functional medicine practitioners use a variety of tools, including comprehensive laboratory testing, dietary and lifestyle interventions, and targeted supplementation, to restore balance to the body and support optimal immune function. By addressing the root cause of autoimmunity, functional medicine can often help patients achieve significant improvements in their symptoms and overall health.