When inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, hormonal problems and other systemic upsets occur, the body spirals out of balance. Personalized functional medicine is an important piece of the 21st-century healing puzzle, based on cutting-edge science and a core concept that accelerated aging and chronic illness are the outcome of imbalances in the body’s underlying physiological systems. A poor diet, lack of essential nutrients, emotional stress, environmental toxins, lack of sleep, exercise and other lifestyle issues set the stage for accelerated aging and chronic disease to develop. 

This whole systems health care approach takes into consideration the interconnectedness of all the body’s organs and systems, as well as how diet, supplementation, sleep, stress and exercise affect them.

“Despite following evidence-based diagnostics and treatment recommendations used in the majority of conventional medicine practices, many doctors witness growing numbers of patients being diagnosed with mood disorders, inflammatory arthritis, cancers, hypothyroidism, neurologic and autoimmune diseases, diabetes, heart disease and many others,” says Zorayda “JiJi” Torres, M.D., ABIHM, owner of Upstream MD, located in Bonita Springs.

“When physicians become frustrated that conventional mainstream medicine alone is not serving their patients well, they begin to look for other solutions, finding possibilities in documentaries such as Food Matters and Food, Inc., and in books on health and nutrition. When they begin experimenting with dietary changes for several months and realize positive physical and mental changes, they often turn to the Institute for Functional Medicine for an in-depth education,” notes Torres. 

New models of functional and integrative medicine have reawakened the medical profession’s passion for healing. They are also igniting hope for change that will likely be driven by a grassroots movement of patients demanding insurance providers cover some of the costs. It’s the next natural step after patients discover that this practice of medicine that meets their doctor’s needs is the same that meets their need for health and well-being.

Upstream MD is located at 27499 Riverview Center Blvd., Ste. 255, in Bonita Springs. Torres practices functional medicine and integrative/holistic medicine as a board-certified internist with 17 years of clinical experience. For more information, call 239-444-5636 or visit UpstreamMD.com  See ad, page 12.