​And let's not forget about vitamin D, often called the "sunshine vitamin." Many of us don't get enough sun exposure, especially during the winter months or if we live in areas with limited sunlight. This can lead to a deficiency in vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation.
 
That is “why” you need to pay attention to the nutritional gaps in your food consumption, but let’s look at “what” you can do about it and “how” you can become healthier.
 
Functional Medicine takes a holistic approach to health, focusing on finding the root causes of health issues rather than just treating symptoms. This approach considers factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle, which can all impact our nutrient levels.

So, this National Nutrition Month, consider incorporating Functional Medicine and a balanced diet rich in whole foods into your health routine. At Flourish we use advanced testing to assess your nutrient status and offer recommendations to optimize your health through targeted supplementation. Professional grade supplements are available at the clinic, or you may order them from our online store.

Muscle Testing, also known as Applied Kinesiology (AK) or Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) is done through testing the response of the body’s nervous system. NRT analyzes the flow of energy at different areas of the body to help us better understand how every organ is functioning as it relates to the state of health of an individual.
 
With NRT/AK the practitioner gently contacts different areas of the body with his/her hand. With the other hand, the practitioner will test the strength of the muscle of the patient’s arm. If the area/organ being tested is under stress, the nervous system responds by reducing energy to the arm muscle and the arm weakens. The weakening of the arm muscle signifies underlying stress or dysfunction. How can this possibly work? Consider what happens in the body with hypothermia. The extremities have the most damage because the body pulls all its energy to the core to protect the life-sustaining organs. The same concept applies when we make contact with a stressed organ/area, the body pulls energy to the organ being tested and the patient’s arm will weaken.

Are you experiencing…

• Slowed reaction time
• Poor memory
• Headache
• Hyperactivity
• Digestive problems
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating
• Hypo- or hyperglycemia
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Muscle weakness
• Dermatitis
• Immune deficiency
• Anemia
• Hearing, speech, or visual impairment
• Mental and/or developmental delays
• Fatigue and weakness
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Dizziness
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nausea
• Sleep problems

If you’re dealing with any of the listed symptoms or have been seen by a provider and told your symptoms are “normal” but you know what you’re experiencing is not right, Organic Acid Testing may be the next best step for you. It is a gut health urine test that identifies organic acid markers. These organic acid markers can provide great insights toward discovering underlying causes of chronic symptoms. An organic acid test completes the clinical “picture” of root causes and can guide us in developing the most individualized and effective interventions.
 
The Vibrant Organic Acids panel uses the most advanced mass spectrometry technology to assess 75 metabolic markers in urine. It includes 11 subpanels and provides accurate evaluation of intestinal microbial overgrowth, detoxification, mitochondrial markers, neurotransmitter metabolism, glutathione status, fatty acid metabolism, and inborn errors of metabolism. (We’ll share an explanation of each during your test results visit.)

An additional method of understanding the state of your physical health is with urine toxin testing by Vibrant Wellness. This urine test provides an in-depth look at the toxic burden on your body. This test detects:

• Mold
• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Herbicides
• Pesticides

If you’ve been told your bloodwork is normal, but you know something’s not right, it could be due to toxin exposure. The Vibrant Lab urine test will give you a clearer picture of your health and guide us toward providing the recommendations needed to bring optimal results.

At Flourish, we support you on your wellness journey by offering a holistic approach to health and healing. We address physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness as we know all are important to your ability to flourish. Call us to discuss our expanded testing options and to schedule a consultation.

How toxins can enter our body:

1. Inhalation: Toxins can be present in the air we breathe, such as pollutants from car exhaust, industrial emissions, and second-hand smoke.
2. Food: Our food can be contaminated with toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and artificial additives. Processed and pre-packaged foods are particularly prone to contamination.
3. Water: Contaminants such as lead, chlorine, and pesticides can be present in our drinking water.
4. Skin Absorption: Toxins can also enter our body through our skin, particularly when we use personal care products that contain harmful chemicals.
5. Injection: Toxins can enter our body through injections, such as vaccines and medical treatments.
6. Occupational Exposure: Individuals who work in certain industries, such as manufacturing and construction, are at a higher risk of exposure to toxins.

To maintain optimal health, it is important to regularly detoxify our bodies from environmental toxins.
​
Why it's important:

​Toxins can weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to illness and disease. A regular detoxification program can help to remove these harmful substances from our bodies and support the functioning of our immune system. This can help to boost our overall health and reduce our risk of developing serious health problems.

​Many environmental toxins are stored in our fat cells, leading to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Detoxifying your body can help to eliminate these toxins, allowing your body to function more efficiently and promoting weight loss.

​Environmental toxins can also affect our energy levels and mental clarity. A detox can help to remove these toxins, allowing us to feel more energetic and focused. This can have a positive impact on our daily lives, allowing us to be more productive and efficient. We offer Total Toxin Testing here at Flourish.

​Toxins can also disrupt the normal functioning of our digestive system, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, and constipation. Detoxifying your body can help to improve the functioning of your digestive system, promoting better digestion and reducing symptoms.

​Research has shown that exposure to environmental toxins can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Detoxifying your body can help to reduce your risk of developing these conditions by removing harmful substances from your body.

Reducing our exposure to toxins can help us to maintain optimal health and reduce the risk of serious health problems. At Flourish, we offer a helpful list of daily, weekly, and monthly Detox Tips. Regular detoxification of your body from environmental poisons is essential to maintaining optimal health. By supporting your immune system, promoting weight loss, improving energy and mental clarity, supporting better digestion, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, a detox can help you feel your best and lead a healthier, more fulfilling life. Consider incorporating a detox program into your routine to take control of your health and protect yourself from the harmful effects of environmental toxins. Get your Daily Toxin Handout>>

The current methods of early detection and breast cancer screening are flawed. Some detection methods are not effective and cause unnecessary fear and stress. And although there are risks with obtaining mammograms at a young age, for young women, early detection is needed. We are seeing cancer rates rise in younger age groups. While 3D offers a clearer picture, is more accurate, and the new standard for screening – the cost is not always covered by medical insurance plans and the levels of radiation are much higher. The 2D traditional method is known for high rates of false positives and false negatives. It also causes radiation exposure, thus, making it ineffective screening method. Another option is thermography. This method uses an infrared camera to detect heat and blood flow. Thermography is free from health risks, is best for dense breast tissue cancer detection, and for those under 50 years of age. The cost for the screening is around $150-200 dollars.

Unfortunately, it can take years for screening recommendations to change. We are seeing a rise in breast cancer rates in young women, but screening recommendations are not reflecting that. Breast self-exams and thermography may be the best options. A helpful resource can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines>>

At Flourish Medical + Wellness, we emphasize the importance of optimizing God’s design of the human body to provide natural healing and protection. Our individualized medical care will allow you to strengthen your body and enable it to function exactly how it was made to. We strive toward wholeness: being well in mind, body, and spirit. Contact us with your health concerns and schedule and appointment.