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Our Functional Medicine Approach

Functional medicine is preventing, reversing and optimising health……Not the masking of symptoms.

Incidences of chronic disease is rising, and despite major efforts, the population is overwhelmed with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and mental health issues to name a few. Functional medicine aims to meet the health demands of the 21st century. This ground-breaking approach is science and evidence-based. Advanced and leading research is emerging every day, keeping it up-to-date.

We use the 5R’s Functional medicine programme as our approach to preventing and treating complex chronic dease and optimising health.

  1. Remove

    Toxins, allergens, parasites, bad bacteria and fungus.

    Comprehensive food allergy tests, stool tests and heavy metal tests help identify the irritants which cause widespread inflammation and chronic disease. Treatment involves the use of herbs, elimination diets and occasionally prescription medication as a means to remove the toxic burden on the body.

  2. Replace

    Vitamins and minerals

    A full blood analysis to identify vitamin and mineral deficiencies allows replacement through diet and food supplementation. Cutting-edge genetic tests aid careful titration of doses to optimise health for each unique individual.

  3. Re-inoculate

    Good gut flora

    Gut restoration proteins are used to strengthen the gut lining whilst using specific strains of good bacterial probiotics carefully selected as a result of the stool and blood analysis. Evolving research states that changes in the gut microbiota has profound effects on our nervous system, mental health and behaviors.

  4. Repair

    Antioxidants

    Interpretation of fatty acid and antioxidant status allows the use of antioxidants, amino acids and omega fatty acids to restore balance. This aims to reverse inflammation and optimise the immune system.

  5. Rebalance

    Hormones and mind

    Comprehensive ground breaking hormone, adrenal and thyroid testing to reveal the degree of hormonal imbalance. Treatment involves the use of natural extracts and prescription medications to restore overall hormonal balance. Addressing sleep and stress as contributing factors.

Expertise in


Gut Health

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Gut dysbiosis
  • Leaky gut syndrome

Hormonal Balance

  • Thyroid Disorders
  • Adrenal Dysfunction
  • PCOS and endometriosis
  • Pre-menstrual tension (PMS)
  • Fertility

Medical conditions

  • Diabetes and pre-diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hypertension 
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility
  • Autoimmune conditions

Immune issues

  • Recurrent infections
  • Complex Autoimmune conditions
  • Chronic viruses
  • Allergies 

Neurological conditions

  • Migraines
  • Epilepsy and other seizures
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease

Energy 

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME
  • Long covid syndrome
  • Autonomic dysfunction and PoTS
  • Chronic pain
  • Heavy metals

Mental health

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety
  • Stress and burnout
  • Cognitive dysfunction
  • Depression
  • Tics

Prevention health

  • Cancer prevention
  • Cardiovascular prevention
  • Osteoporosis prevention
  • Alzheimer’s disease

 “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

World Health Organisation (WHO).

 

The following fundamental principles are at the heart of functional medicine:

  • Biochemical individuality:

    The nutritional and chemical makeup of each person is unique, based upon their own genetic structure, nutrition and environment; Understanding the individuals’ personal history and pairing this with cutting edge blood tests and genetics enables tailor made and individualised treatment programs at a whole new level.

  • Systems based biology:

    The human body functions as an integrated web-like network of systems. Using this knowledge allows a holistic approach to determine the root cause of problems, which does not simply focus on masking the symptoms.

  • Prevention of disease and optimising health:

    A decline in health precedes the onset of any disease. Appreciating that a mix of unusual symptoms, that do not fit a classic textbook diagnosis, needs intervention at this stage in order to reverse and prevent the onset of disease.

  • Chronic disease is reversible:

    Inflammation is at the root of most chronic disease. Poor nutrition, lifestyle and stress results in nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances causing inflammation. Using a holistic approach to address these underlying issues reverses many chronic diseases. 

  • Gut-Brain axis:

    Well established research suggests that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in influencing psychological behaviour and cognition. This ground-breaking development helps manage autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety and other  and mental health problems as well as cognitive decline. 

  • Person-centered:

    Emphasising personalised care rather than disease care, following Sir William Osler: “It is more important to know what patient has the disease than to know what disease the patient has”

  • Mind and Body:

    Recognising and accepting the mind and body as one entity. Stress is at the root of the 21st century health decline. Managing stress has the power to optimise mental and physical health allowing us to live fulfilling lives.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in August 2017 at the age of 64. My symptoms comprised slowness in movement, tremor, stiffness, right arm not swinging when walking, pain in right leg, poor handwriting, loss of sense of smell and apathy. At the same time I was also diagnosed with Hypertension and Hives, which might also be symptoms of Parkinson's although unproven. Research indicates that although many trials have taken place there is still no cure for Parkinson’s using conventional medicines. I looked thoroughly into alternative medicines and chose Functional Medicine as the favoured option because of its holistic approach. After reviewing a number of Practitioners I selected Dr Gupta, who is an NHS Doctor as well as a functional practitioner. I first approached Dr Gupta in August 2018, a year after my diagnosis. She carried out comprehensive tests on me, ie bloods, urine and stool tests and based on the results and her analysis prescribed antibiotics, food supplements and dietary recommendations. The past four years with Dr Gupta has helped me greatly. I can now write legibly, move faster, walk swinging both armed, only experience tremor in my right hand when anxious, no pain in my leg, able to perform a range of exercises such as yoga and have no stiffness. My hypertension is under control and very importantly my Hives have been eliminated. I am really able to do all the things I used to do prior to my diagnosis. My neurologist comments at each annual appointment that I am managing my Parkinson’s extremely well, with little deterioration in my health, and I have not needed to increase the Parkinson’s medication, which remains at a low dosage since prescribed in 2017. Dr Gupta is a very kind, genuine person, knowledgeable and professional in her approach. I relate well to her and strongly believe that my current wellness is a direct result of her expertise in functional medicine and regular input into my health care. I will continue working with Dr Gupta in the string belief that I will maintain my positive progress and ‘keep the beast that is Parkinson’s’ at bay. Thank you Dr Gupta!
Judith, Parkinson’s disease